Jan. 11, 2009
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa; January 11, 2009 - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, ranked No. 14, gave up a key forfeit at 157 and dropped a tough 22-15 dual meet decision to No. 16 Boise State. The loss put Penn State into eighth place in the 2009 National Duals. Unseeded heading into the tournament, head coach Troy Sunderland's squad posted a 2-3 mark against five top 20 teams, including a win over a top-five squad.
Penn State got off to a fast start as sophomore Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) pinned No. 8 Brian Owen at the 3:58 mark to give the Lions an early 6-0 lead. But Boise State got wins at 133 and 141 to tie the bout before junior All-American Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) got a tough win over No. 18 Jason Chamberlain at 149. The 9-6 lead was short-lived, however. Nittany Lion All-American Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) did not make weight and Boise State picked up six points at 157 with the forfeit to take a 12-9 lead.
Boise State picked up a major at 165 and then Penn State true freshman Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) capped off an outstanding performance at the tournament with a 6-4 win at 174, cutting the Boise State lead to 16-12. Boise State, however, iced the dual with wins at 184 and 197. Red-shirt freshman Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) added a solid win at heavyweight but Boise State still walked away with a 22-15 win.
Penn State is now 7-6 on the year and will not wrestle next weekend. Facing one of the nation's toughest schedules with a team that starts, at times, five freshmen, five of Penn State's seven wins are against teams ranked in the top 25 while each of the Nittany Lions losses is to a squad currently holding down a national ranking. Boise State moves to 9-3 with the win.
The Lions will open up Big Ten dual meet action on Jan. 23 and 24 when they head to Indiana and Purdue for two duals. Penn State visits Indiana on Friday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. and Purdue on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m. Penn State's next home dual is set for Friday, Jan. 30, when Minnesota comes to town for a 7 p.m. dual in Rec Hall. 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.
#14 Penn State 15, #16 Boise State 22
Sunday, January 11, 2009 - UNI Dome - Cedar Falls, Iowa
125: Brad Pataky PSU pinned #18 Brian Owen BSU, WBF (3:58) 6-0
133: #2 Andrew Hochstrasser BSU dec. #12 Jake Strayer PSU, 5-1 6-3
141: Cory Fish BSU dec. Frank Molinaro PSU, 9-2 6-6
149: #2 Bubba Jenkins PSU dec. #18 Jason Chamberlain BSU, 4-3 9-6
157: #6 Adam Hall BSU win by forfeit 9-12
165: Tyler Sherfey BSU maj. dec. Mark Friend PSU, 10-0 9-16
174: #14 Quentin Wright PSU dec. Nathan Lee BSU, 6-4 12-16
184: #4 Kirk Smith BSU dec. Jack Decker PSU, 6-1 12-19
197: Brent Chriswell BSU dec. Clay Steadman PSU, 7-5 12-22
HWT: Cameron Wade PSU dec. Sam Zylstra BSU, 7-2 15-22
Final Score: #14 Penn State 15, #16 Boise State 22
Attendance: TBA
Records: Penn State 7-6, Boise State 9-3
Up next: At Indiana, Friday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m.; At Purdue, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2 p.m.
BOUT-BY-BOUT:
125: Nittany Lion sophomore Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) faced yet another rugged test at 125, taking on No. 18 Brian Owen of Boise State. As he did in each of his four bouts yesterday, Pataky was the aggressor from the start. But the ranked Bronco was equal to his early efforts and Pataky found himself fighting off a number of solid Owen lock-ups high his shoulders. Pataky took a number of low shots, but Owen was able to easily step back and the bout ended the first period in a scoreless tie. Pataky chose down to begin the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. After the escape, the second period began to unfold like the first, with Owen working high and Pataky looking for an opening low. But the Nittany Lion sophomore lulled the ranked Bronco into a crucial mistake, catching Owen with a cement mixer as the Bronco looked to score high, locking him up and sending him to his back just :40 into the bout. Pataky then steadily forced Owen's shoulders to the mat to pick up a critical pin at the 3:58 mark. The win gave Penn State an early 6-0 lead.
133: No. 12 Jake Strayer (South Fork, Pa.), who battled No. 4 Jayson Ness of Minnesota tooth-and-nail before losing last night, faced No. 2 Andrew Hochstrasser at 133. Strayer had the first opening, nearly completing a low single :30 into the bout. But the second-ranked grappler countered the move and got in on Strayer's right ankle. As Strayer worked to break free, he was surprisingly called for fleeing the mat and fell behind 1-0. Undaunted, Strayer got in deep on Hochstrasser's right thigh and tied the Bronco up, nearly taking the lead. But once again, Hochstrasser worked out of trouble, grabbed on to Strayer's ankle and pulled him in for a critical takedown and a 3-0 lead with :42 left in the opening period. Hochstrasser then rode Strayer out to carry that lead into the second period. Hochstrasser chose down to start the second period, giving Strayer the chance to work away a slim Boise State riding time edge. But Strayer got called for locked hands in the process and gave up a penalty point to fall behind 4-0. Strayer then cut the Bronco loose after a reset and fell behind 5-0. The Nittany Lion All-American continued to take solid shots and Hochstrasser's left ankle, but the Bronco manage stay out of trouble and maintain the 5-0 lead heading into the final period. Strayer chose down to start the final period and escaped to a 5-1 deficit with 1:25 left to wrestle. Hochstrasser looked to ice the bout with another takedown, but Strayer managed to force a scramble and keep things close. But the scramble laste4d for the rest of the bout and Hochstrasser went on to post a hard-fought 5-1 win, cutting Penn State's lead to 6-3.
141: Red-shirt freshman Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) was next at 141, where he took on Boise State's Cory Fish. Molinaro got the bout's first takedown, moving out to a 2-0 lead at the 2:25 mark. Fish escaped in :24 to cut the lead to 2-1 and action returned to the center circle. The duo battled evenly for most of the first period, until Fish gained control of Molinaro's right foot to take a 3-2 lead with a last-second takedown. A short ride out allowed the Bronco to carry that one point lead into the second period. Molinaro chose down to start the middle stanza but could not work his way free of a strong Fish ride. Fish wrapped Molinaro up and looked to turn him for back points. While Molinaro did not give up any near fall points, Fish maintained control of the Lion freshman for the entire period. Leading 3-2 with 1:46 in riding time, Fish chose down to start the third period. Molinaro cut him loose to a 4-2 lead and began working furiously for a takedown. But the Bronco grappler countered a Molinaro shot for his own score, taking a 6-2 lead with 1:32 left. Fish put together another strong ride and picking up two near fall points in the process. A ride-out and a riding time point gave Fish a solid 9-2 win and tied the dual at 6-6.
149: Junior All-American Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) looked to remain undefeated on the year at 149. Ranked No. 2 nationally, Jenkins met No. 18 Jason Chamberlain of Boise State. Jenkins continued his torrid pace, getting the first takedown at the 2:04 mark to take an early 2-0 lead. After a short ride, Jenkins cut Chamberlain loose and began working for another scoring opportunity. But Chamberlain was able to play defense for the rest of the period and Jenkins held a slim 2-1 lead. Up by one, Jenkins chose down to start the second stanza and, after working his way behind Chamberlain, nabbed his ankle and pulled him down on the edge of the mat for a reversal and a 4-1 lead. Jenkins once again cut the Bronco loose, hoping to tack on bonus points against the ranked Boise State grappler. Jenkins shot low on Chamberlain, trying once again to pick his ankle. But Chamberlain forced a reset with :10 left in the period and Jenkins led by only two heading into the final period. Down 4-2, Chamberlain chose down to start the final period and quickly escaped to a 4-3 deficit. Chamberlain became the aggressor in the third period, hoping to stun Jenkins and notch a major upset. But the Lion All-American was equal to the task and used his quickness to stay out of trouble. Jenkins managed to work all the time off the clock and walked away with a hard-fought 4-3 win. The victory over the ranked foe put Penn State up 9-6.
157: Penn State was hit hard at 157 when co-captain Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.), ranked No. 8 at 157, failed to make weight. No. 6 Adam Hall of Boise State picked up the forfeit win, giving the Broncos six team points and Boise State took a 12-9 lead.
165: Senior Mark Friend (Libertyville, Ill.) looked to build upon his win over a ranked Minnesota Golden Gopher last night when he took to the mat at 165 to face Boise State's Tyler Sherfey. Friend and Sherfey tangled in the middle of the mat for the first half of the period. It was Sherfey who got on the board first with a solid takedown at the 1:16 mark, grabbing Friend's ankle and finishing off the move to take a 2-0 lead. Sherfey then rode Friend out to carry that lead (with 1:17 in riding time) into the second period. Friend chose neutral to start the second period. The Lion senior had a late shot countered by Sherfey, who notched another takedown and rode Friend out to lead 4-0 heading into the final period. Sherfey chose down to start the final stanza. Friend then broke Sherfey down from the top, working off enough of the Bronco's riding time edge to do way with a bonus point while trying to turn him to his back for near fall points. Sherfey finally escaped to a 5-0 lead with :50 left. Friend then got hit with a stall point and, in the final seconds was taken down and to his back in a four-point move that allowed Sherfey to post a 10-0 major decision and push the Broncos out to a 16-9 lead.
174: True freshman Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), coming off a superb first day at the duals and ranked No. 14 at 174, met Boise State's Nathan Lee. Wright and Lee battled evenly throughout the beginning of the bout, with neither wrestler finding an opening nor threatening to score. Scoreless after one period, Lee chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. But the lead was short-lived as the talented Nittany Lion freshman notched the bout's first takedown with 1:02 left to lead 2-1. Lee quickly escaped and the bout was tied at 2-2 with under :45 left. Wright continued to pressure the Bronco grappler, looking for a late takedown. But Lee fought off the Lion's efforts and kept the score tied at 2-2 heading into the final period. Wright chose down to start the third period and Lee cut him loose to a 3-2 lead. Wright and Lee then tangled battled for high position. But Wright was the one who got the next takedown, diving low at Lee's ankles to get a takedown with :45 left. Wright took a 5-2 lead with the move, but Lee quickly managed a reversal to cut the lead to 5-4. Wright was allowed up after a reset to lead 6-4 with :32 left and action continued in the center circle. Wright then held Lee's final efforts off to post a hard-fought 6-4 win. The victory cut Boise State's lead to 16-12.
184: Senior Jack Decker (Roseland, N.J.) coming off a solid win over Minnesota the prior evening, faced the tall task of battling No. 4 Kirk Smith of Boise State at 184. Decker battled the highly-ranked Bronco evenly through the first half of the opening period. But Smith finally worked his way in on a high double to force a scramble at the 1:20 mark. Decker fought off the move for nearly :45 seconds, but Smith got the takedown at the :47 mark to take a 2-0 lead. Smith then rode Decker out, sending action into the second stanza with Decker down by two. Smith chose down to start the second period. He then reversed Decker to up his lead to 4-0. The talented Bronco then put together another strong ride and kept control of Decker for the rest of the period. Trailing 4-0 and facing a large riding time deficit, Decker chose top in the third period with hopes of turning the Bronco to his back for near fall points. Decker battled valiantly, tying Smith up around the shoulders but not managing to turn him for any points. The strong ride erased Smith's riding time edge. But Smith once again shook Decker off his shoulders for a reversal and a 6-1 lead (after a Decker escape). Smith would walk away with a hard-fought 6-1 decision and put the Broncos up 19-12.
197: Red-shirt freshman Clay Steadman (McKean, Pa.) faced Boise State's Brent Chriswell at 197. With the Nittany Lions needing two wins and bonus points, Steadman looked to score early and keep Penn State's hopes alive. But Chriswell got the bout's first points with a takedown and two point near fall midway through the opening period. Steadman escaped to cut the lead to 4-1, but the Nittany Lion freshman found no openings to score himself and trailed 4-1 heading into the second period. Steadman chose down to begin the second stanza and was allowed up to a 4-2 deficit. Chriswell added another takedown at the 1:20 mark, but Steadman quickly escaped to a 6-3 deficit, nearly working his way around for a takedown in the process. Chriswell struggled to a stalemate and a reset was called with under 1:00 left in the period. Leading 6-3 heading into the third period, Chriswell chose down and escaped to a 7-3 lead. Steadman worked hard for a scoring chance, but Chriswell was able to keep the young Lion from getting a takedown until only :05 left. Steadman notched the late score to cut the lead to 7-5 but it was too late and the 7-5 decision clinched the dual meet, putting BSU up 22-12.
HWT: Red-shirt freshman Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) took on BSU's Samuel Zylstra at heavyweight in the final bout for the Nittany Lions. Wade wasted no time in opening up an early lead with a blistering shot and a takedown at the 2:45 mark. The talented Lion freshman then broke Zylstra down, turning him to his back for two near fall points and a 4-0 lead. Zylstra, however, worked out of a near pin and then reversed Wade to cut the Lion's lead to 4-2 with 1:30 left. Wade escaped to a 5-2 lead with 1:12 left. Neither wrestler mounted a serious challenge for the rest of the period, allowing Wade to carry the 5-2 lead into the second stanza. The Nittany Lion freshman chose down to start the period but could not work free from a solid Zylstra ride. The Bronco maintained control of Wade for the entire period to grab a 1:18 riding time edge heading into the third period. Zylstra chose neutral to start the final period. Wade battled the big man evenly, working off almost all the period before quickly countering a Zylstra shot on the edge of the mat for a clinching takedown with just :19 left. Wade then rode Zylstra out to erase the riding time edge and post a convincing 7-2 win, making the final team score 22-15 Boise State.