Dec. 1, 2008
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Penn State Nittany Lion heavyweight John Laboranti (Pittston, Pa.) took second place at the 2008 Mat-Town Open, hosted by Lock Haven University on Saturday. Laboranti's runner-up finish led three Penn State place winners at the one day event.
Laboranti went 3-1 on the day, including a major. He dropped a sudden victory decision in the finals to Pittsburgh's Ryan Tomai. The action was Laboranti's first folk style activity of the year. A week earlier, the Pittston native took forth in freestyle action at the New York Athletic Club Tournament.
Junior Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) took third at 133 pounds with a solid 5-1 showing. After an opening round loss, Lynch won five straight in consolations to take the bronze at 133. Red-shirt freshman Micah Bollinger (Mifflinburg, Pa.) also had a solid tournament, taking fifth at 165. Bollinger went 5-2 on the day with two majors. His winners' bracket loss was a hard-fought 5-2 decision to No. 15 Rex Kendle of Michigan State, the eventual tournament champion.
Fourteen Nittany Lions competed at the event, all unattached. Joining the trio of placers in Thomas Field House were: Eric Caschera (South Williamsport, Pa.), 0-2 at 125; Tyler Saltsman (Concord, N.H.), 0-1 at 133; Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.), 1-2 at 133; Jack Chidester (Conestoga, Pa.), 1-2 with a pin at 133; Christian Harr (Hollidaysburg, Pa.), 1-2 at 149; Nick Fischer (Unionville, Pa.), 2-2 with two majors at 157; Shane Donnelly (East Smithfield, Pa.), 0-2 at 165; Nick Venditti (Berwick, Pa.), 0-1 at 165; Matt Dodds (Leola, Pa.), 1-2 at 174; Clay Steadman (McKean, Pa.), 0-1 at 197; and Nathan Andrews (Spring Mills, Pa.), 1-2 at 197.
No. 14 Penn State will take part in the 2008 Nittany Lion Open this coming Sunday. Action begins at 8:30 a.m. and tickets can be purchased at the door. Penn State's next dual meet is set for Sunday, Dec. 14, when the Nittany Lions host West Virginia in Rec Hall. 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