Nov. 19, 2008
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, under the guidance of head coach Troy Sunderland, is ranked No. 14 in the latest NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll, as compiled and released by Intermat. The full release can be viewed at www.intermatwrestle.com. Freshman Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) makes his debut in the national rankings as one of four ranked Penn State individuals.
The Nittany Lions fell to No. 14 after a season-opening upset loss to Hofstra, which how checks in at No. 16 in the latest poll. Defending national champion Iowa maintains its hold on the No. 1 spot, followed by Iowa State and Ohio State. In all, nine of the Big Ten's 11 teams are ranked in the top 25. Joining Iowa and Ohio State in the rankings are Illinois (8), Michigan (9), Northwestern (10), Minnesota (11), Wisconsin (12), Penn State (14) and Indiana (18). Purdue is also receiving votes.
Junior All-Americans Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) lead Penn State's ranked contingent. Jenkins maintains his hold on No. 2 at 149 while Vallimont moves up one spot to No. 2 at 157. Senior Phil Bomberger (Port Royale, Pa.) moves up to No. 13 at 184 as well. Wright, fresh off a win over then No. 6 Alton Lucas of Hofstra (a returning All-American), debuts in the No. 16 spot at 174.
Penn State will hit the road for four rugged duals this weekend, beginning with a showdown at No. 4 Cornell on Friday night at 7 p.m. The Big Red will have the services of seven ranked grapplers as they look to hold off the upset-minded Nittany Lions. Penn State will then trek to Binghamton, N.Y., for the 2008 Sprawl and Brawl Duals. The Nittany Lions will take on No. 24 Virginia (and its two ranked wrestlers) at 10 a.m. on Sunday; battle No. 15 Edinboro (with its seven ranked men) at 12 p.m. and then face host Binghamton (with one ranked wrestler) at 3:30 p.m.
Penn State's next home dual is slated for Sunday, Dec. 14, against West Virginia. Action starts at 1 p.m. 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. All Penn State dual meets and post-season action can be heard live in the Centre Region on WRSC (1390 AM State College), WHUN (1150 AM Huntingdon) and live at www.GoPSUsports.com as part of the All-Access package.