Feb. 11, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, under the guidance of head coach Troy Sunderland, is ranked No. 24 in the latest NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll, as compiled and released by Intermat. The full release can be viewed at www.intermatwrestle.com.
Penn State slipped to 7-10-2 overall, 0-4-2 in the Big Ten, with two tough losses to No. 6 Ohio State and No. 1 Iowa last weekend. Penn State sent six freshmen as well as four wrestlers not in the opening day starting line-up into action against the No. 1 Hawkeyes.
Iowa continues to hold down the No. 1 spot, followed by Iowa State (2), Cornell (3), Nebraska (4) and Missouri (5). Ohio State (6), Lehigh (7), Illinois (8), Central Michigan (9) and Boise State (10) round out the top ten. All 11 Big Ten teams are either ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes. Minnesota (11), Northwestern (16), Michigan (17), Wisconsin (18), Indiana (20), Penn State (24) and Purdue (25) are ranked while Michigan State is receiving votes. The Nittany Lions own wins over No. 5 Missouri, No. 13 Edinboro, No. 17 Michigan and has tied No. 20 Indiana and No. 25 Purdue.
Junior All-American Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.), who has not wrestled in Penn State's last five duals, is 19-0 and ranked No. 2 at 149. Senior All-American Jake Strayer (South Fork, Pa.) is ranked at No. 9 at 133. Sophomore Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) sits at No. 13 at 125. Junior All-American Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) is ranked No. 20 at 165 (after being ranked in the top 10 at 157 all season) and true-freshman Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) is ranked No. 16 at 174 to round out Penn State's ranked individuals.
Penn State visits RV Michigan State on Friday night for a 7 p.m. dual and then heads to Ann Arbor to take on No. 17 Michigan on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Nittany Lions' final home dual is slated for Friday, Feb. 20, when Penn comes to Rec Hall for a 7 p.m. match-up. 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.