Oct. 13, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Five members of the Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team are ranked among the top 20 at their respective weights in Amateur Wrestling News' pre-season individual rankings. Head coach Cael Sanderson's team is well represented on this list, which is released every year by one of the nation's oldest wrestling publications.
With returning All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) set to red-shirt this year and not ranked at 174, fellow 2009 All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) checks in with a No. 8 ranking at 141. Molinaro placed eighth at nationals last year and went 23-19 on the year.
Two 2008 All-Americans are also ranked, led by transfer Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah), who is ranked No. 5 at 157. Sanderson, who finished seventh at 157 two years ago with a 33-6 record, went 20-9 last year and was 2-2 at nationals. Senior Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) was a third place finisher at 157 two years ago, earning his first All-America tag. Last year, Vallimont moved up to 165 during the Big Ten season and ended the campaign with a tough loss in the `round of 12' at nationals, just one win shy of All-America status. Vallimont ended the 2008-09 season with a 24-12 record and enters this season ranked No. 12 at 165.
Junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) also advanced to the `round of 12' in 2009 during his first trip to nationals. The talented 125-pounder went 31-11 last year and heads into the new season ranked No. 8 at 125. Senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio) was injured in last year's opening event after beginning the year 3-0. A two-year starter for Penn State, Erwin has a 49-18 career record and is ranked No. 17 in AWN's pre-season rankings.
Senior Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) spent much of the 2009 season ranked among the top two in the nation at 149, but injuries down the stretch prevented the 2008 national runner-up from repeating as an All-American. Jenkins went 24-3 last year, is not ranked by AWN because he is not scheduled to return to action until December of this year.
Penn State Wrestling season tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now. The five-event package (which does not include the Nittany Lion Open) costs $30 for adults ($6 per event) and $25 for youth ($5 per event). Single event tickets will cost $8 for adults and $6 for youth. Group sales are available once again for groups of 15 people or more. Group prices are $5 in advance and $6 walk-up. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 1.800.NITTANY between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.