Oct. 21, 2008
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) has been selected to participate in the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic. The exhibition event will take place at Ohio State's St. John's Arena on Monday, November 24, at 7 p.m.
Jenkins, ranked No. 2 at 149 in the NWCA's pre-season rankings, will face No. 1 Brent Metcalf of Iowa. Jenkins, the defending national runner-up, lost to Metcalf 14-8 in the 2008 NCAA Championships at 149 last year. Metcalf served as Jenkins' foil last year, handing the Nittany Lion All-American three of his six losses during the campaign (Jenkins went 26-6 overall).
The selection of Jenkins marks the third straight year that a Nittany Lion has been represented at the prestigious event, annually pitting the top two pre-season wrestlers at each weight class against each other in an exhibition. In 2006, Penn State sent Phil Davis and James Yonushonis and last year Davis took part again.
The ten-bout exhibition features a full list of the nation's best wrestlers: 125: #2 Troy Nickerson (Cornell) vs. #3 Charlie Falck (Iowa) 133: #1 Joey Slaton (Iowa) vs. #2 Jayson Ness (Minnesota) 141: #1 J Jaggers (Ohio State) vs. #2 Nick Gallick (Iowa State) 149: #1 Brent Metcalf (Iowa) vs. #2 Bubba Jenkins (Penn State) 157: #1 Jordan Leen (Cornell) vs. #2 Mike Poeta (Illinois) 165: #1 Nick Marable (Missouri) vs. #2 Mack Lewnes (Cornell) 174: #1 Steve Luke (Michigan) vs. #2 Jay Borschel (Iowa) 184: #1 Mike Pucillo (Ohio State) vs. #3 Phil Keddy (Iowa) 197: #1 Jake Varner (Iowa State) vs. #2 Hudson Taylor (Maryland) HWT: #1 Jared Rosholt (Oklahoma State) vs. #3 Kyle Massey (Wisconsin)
Penn State, under the guidance of head coach Troy Sunderland, will open up its 2008-09 season by hosting Wrestle-Offs on Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. in Rec Hall. Admission to wrestle-offs is free. The home season opens on Sunday, Nov. 16, with a 1 p.m. dual against Hofstra in Rec Hall. Fans can purchase season tickets by calling 814-863-1000 or 800-NITTANY. Season tickets are $32 for adults and $24 for youth. Single event tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for youth. Penn State students get in FREE with a Penn State ID.