Nov. 28, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Sophomore Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) and freshman David Taylor (St. Parish, Ohio), both red-shirting this year and wrestling unattached, claimed individual titles at the 2009 Mat-Town U.S.A. tournament, hosted by Lock Haven University. Six members of the 12 man Penn State contingent placed at the event.
Wright posted a perfect 3-0 mark at 184, getting two pins along the way, to claim the title. The 2009 All-American at 184 downed Penn State senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio) in the finals, pinning his teammate at the 2:38 mark. Erwin was also outstanding at the event, going 3-1 with a major and a pin of his own, to claim second place. Erwin is now 5-1 at his new weight (184). Taylor claimed his second open tournament individual crown, posting a superb 4-0 mark to win the 157 pound crown. Taylor notched three technical falls and a pin in the tournament and improved his unattached record this year to a gaudy 12-1 with eight technical falls and two pins.
In addition to Erwin's second place finish, red-shirt freshman James English (York, Pa.) took second, finishing as the 149 pound runner-up with a 4-1 record. English lost a hard-fought 2-1 (TB) decision to American's Matt Mariarcher in the finals. Senior Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) wrestled up at 165 and went 4-1 to take third place. Sophomore David Crowell (Easton, Pa.) was also outstanding at the event, posting a 3-2 mark at 184 to take fourth place (including a pin).
Six other Nittany Lions competed at the event, some attached and some unattached. Sophomore 133-pounder Tyler Saltsman (Concord, N.H.) went 2-2 overall, going 1-2 against collegiate competition. Sophomore Colby Pisani (Ridgway, Pa.) was 1-2 at 141 while senior Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) was 2-2 at that weight, 1-1 against collegiate wrestlers. Senior Eric Caschera (South Williamsport, Pa.) went 0-2 at 125, freshman Nick Fischer (Unionville, Pa.) went 2-2 at 165 and senior Brendan Herlihy (Fairfield, Conn.) was 0-2 at heavyweight.
Penn State, under the guidance of head coach Cael Sanderson, is 4-1 in duals this year. 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.