Nov. 12, 2008
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, under the guidance of head coach Troy Sunderland, is ranked No. 7 in the latest USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll as compiled and released by Intermat and viewable at www.intermatwrestle.com. Four Nittany Lion individuals are ranked among the nation's top 20 as well.
Defending national champion Iowa is ranked No. 1, followed by in-state rival Iowa State. Ohio State (3), Cornell (4) and Missouri (5) round out the top five. Nebraska (6), Penn State (7), Oklahoma State (8), Illinois (9) and Michigan (10) comprise the rest of the top ten.
With five teams in the top ten, the Big Ten is once again seen as the nation's elite wrestling conference. Northwestern (11), Minnesota (T12), Wisconsin (T12) and Indiana (16) are also ranked in the top 25, meaning nine of the conference's 11 teams are in the pre-season rankings. Purdue is receiving votes.
Four Nittany Lions are ranked among the top 20 at their respective weights. All-American Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) is ranked No. 2 at 149, All-American Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) is ranked No. 3 at 157, senior Phil Bomberger (Port Royal, Pa.) is ranked No. 15 at 184 and junior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio) is ranked No. 18 at 174. Erwin is the only one of this group who has wrestled this year; he is 3-0 to date. Senior All-American Jake Strayer (South Fork, Pa.) was ranked No. 7 at 133 to start the season but, since he will not wrestle at that weight until later this season, is no longer ranked.
Penn State opens up its dual meet season on Sunday, Nov. 16, with a 1 p.m. dual against (RV) 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.