Nov. 24, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Penn State Nittany Lion Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) has been named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week for action ending on Nov. 22, 2009. Pataky shares this week's honor with Ohio State's Reece Humphrey and is the second of head coach Cael Sanderson's grapplers to be named wrestler of the week this year.
Pataky stayed perfect on the year, going 3-0 at the Sprawl and Brawl Duals in Binghamton, N.Y. Pataky, ranked No. 6 at 125, got two decisions and a pin to help PSU go 3-0 at the event. Pataky's 4-0 shut-out of No. 8 Eric Morrill of Edinboro helped the Nittany Lions hammer No. 15 Edinboro 22-9 in the finale of the event. Pataky is now 5-0 on the year with a team-best 20 dual meet points. The Nittany Lion junior is Penn State's second straight wrestler of the week (Cyler Sanderson earned the award last week). Prior to Sanderson's honor a week ago, Penn State had not had a winner since February of 2008.
Penn State is now 4-1, having won four straight, while Edinboro is now 2-1. The Nittany Lions return to action on Sunday, Dec. 6, when they will take part in the Nittany Lion Open at Rec Hall. The open tournament, which will feature many of Penn State's red-shirts, begins at 8:30 a.m. in Rec Hall and runs all day. Penn State's next home dual is set for Jan. 22 when it hosts Illinois at 7 p.m. in Rec Hall. 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 $4 in advance and $5 walk-up. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 1.800.NITTANY between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. All Penn State events will once again air live on Forever Broadcasting's WRSC (1390 AM) or 3WZ (95.3 FM) and on www.GoPSUsports.com as well. The 2009-10 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.