Dec. 11, 2009
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - No. 14 Penn State blasted its way through the home standing West Virginia Mountaineers, winning seven of ten bouts to post a 33-12 win in Morgantown. Penn State picked up three straight pins heading into the midway point to coast to victory.
Junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.), ranked No. 7 at 125, got things off to a good start with an 11-5 win over WVU's Shane Young. The Mountaineers got a major decision at 133 before head coach Cael Sanderson's crew unleashed a flurry of pins to put the bout out of reach. Sophomore Colby Pisani (Ridgway, Pa.), All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) and All-American Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah) each got pins to put Penn State up 21-4. Pisani got his pin at the 5:28 mark, No. 6 Molinaro got his at the 5:22, and No. 3 Sanderson got his early in the first at the 2:22 mark.
All-American Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) followed with a hard fought 4-3 win over senior Donnie Jones to put Penn State up 24-4. The Mountaineers got a win at 174 to cut Penn State's lead to 24-7, setting up the bout's marquee match-up at 184. Senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio) made short work of No. 19 Matt Ryan of WVU, however, dominating the match from start to finish and posting a 7-1 win. West Virginia got a forfeit win at 197 before Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio), ranked No. 13 at HWT, pounded WVU's Brandon Williamson 2-0. Williamson was disqualified for unsportsmanlike behavior as the bout ended, actually giving Wade a six point win and giving Penn State a 33-7 victory.
Penn State dominated the dual in every aspect, winning the takedown battle 16-8. The Nittany Lions also notched 12 bonus points to only one for WVU.
Penn State is now 5-1, having won five straight, while the Mountaineers fall to 0-3. The Nittany Lions return to action tomorrow night at No. 24 Pittsburgh. The dual at Pitt begins at 7 p.m. 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.
#14 Penn State 33, West Virginia 12
Morgantown, W.Va., December 11, 2009
125: #7 Brad Pataky PSU dec. Shane Young WVU, 11-5, 3-0
133: Colin Johnston WVU maj. dec. Bryan Pearsall PSU, 13-4, 3-4
141: Colby Pisani PSU pinned Anthony Curcio WVU, WBF (5:28), 9-4
149: #6 Frank Molinaro PSU pinned Brandon Loro WVU, WBF (5:22), 15-4
157: #3 Cyler Sanderson PSU pinned Ryan Goodman WVU, WBF (2:22), 21-4
165: #9 Dan Vallimont PSU dec. Donnie Jones WVU, 4-3, 24-4
174: Chance Litton WVU dec. Justin Ortega PSU, 5-2, 24-7
184: #14 David Erwin PSU dec. #19 Matt Ryan WVU, 7-1, 27-7
197: Cameron Gallaher WVU win by forfeit, 27-13
HWT: #13 Cameron Wade PSU win by disq. Brandon Williamson WVU, 27-12*
*WVU loses team point for unsportsmanlike conduct
Attendance: 1,136
Records: Penn State 5-1, West Virginia 0-3
Up Next for Penn State: at No. 24 Pittsburgh, Saturday, December 12, 7 p.m.
Bout by Bout
125: Junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.), ranked No. 7 at 125, took on West Virginia's Shane Young. Pataky looked to turn a shoulder lock into a cement mixer early, but Pataky rolled too far on the move and Young was able to come out on top for a quick takedown and a 2-0 lead at the 2:08 mark. Pataky escaped quickly to cut the lead to 2-1 and then spent the next minute fighting off two solid Young double legs to stay close. Pataky got his first takedown at the :40 mark, working around the WVU freshman to take a 3-2 lead. Pataky then used a good tight waste to keep Young face down on the mat for the ride-out and a one point lead after one period. Pataky chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-2 lead. The Lion junior then turned into Young and kept the pressure on the Mountaineer grappler, forcing him towards the edge of the mat while looking for an opening. Pataky countered a Young double leg and, after a short scramble, got a takedown at the 1:03 mark to go up 6-2. Another ride-out allowed Pataky to carry a 6-2 lead with 1:12 in riding time into the third period. Young chose neutral to start the third period, but Pataky once again turned strong shoulder work into a takedown and an 8-3 lead (after cutting Young loose). Young slipped behind Pataky at the 1:25 mark to cut into the Lion's lead and then rode him long enough to kill Pataky's time advantage. Pataky escaped with :58 left to lead 9-5. Young gained control of Pataky's ankle and nearly took him down, but Pataky countered the move and got a final takedown with just :02 left to grab an 11-5 win, putting Penn State up 3-0.
133: Freshman Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) got the nod at 133 for Penn State, where he took on undefeated sophomore Colin Johnston of West Virginia. Johnston quickly opened up a 2-0 lead with a takedown at the 2:25 mark. Johnston then gained control of Pearsall's shoulders, turned him to his back and nearly pinned the young Lion. Pearsall managed to fight off his back but trailed 5-0 after giving up the three near fall points. Pearsall escaped and Johnston quickly took him down again to up his lead to 7-1 with the ride-out. Trailing 7-1, Pearsall chose top to start the second period hoping to find a way to turn the Mountaineer and get back points of his own. Pearsall put together a very strong ride, working the riding time edge down below a minute while looking for an opening to pick up back points. Johnston finally worked his way to an escape with :05 left to lead 8-1 heading into the third period. Johnston chose neutral to start the final period and quickly got in on Pearsall's ankles. But the Lion freshman worked his way around behind Johnston to cut the lead to 8-3, but the WVU grappler quickly reversed Pearsall to up his lead to 10-3. Pearsall needed an escape to avoid giving up a major and got out with :35 left, cutting the WVU lead to 10-4. Pearsall tried a high single, but Johnston countered and got a takedown on the edge of the mat with :12 left to take a 12-4 lead. Johnston then rode the Lion out and, with the riding time point, got a 13-4 major, giving WVU a 4-3 lead.
141: Sophomore Colby Pisani (Ridgway, Pa.) met West Virginia's Anthony Curcio at 141. Pisani used a low single to grab a 2-0 lead at the 1:36 mark. Pisani then maintained control of Curcio for the rest of the period, nearly picking up a two point near fall in the process. Trailing 2-0, Curcio chose down to start the second period. But Pisani was able to add to his riding time edge, maintaining control and then getting Curcio in a headlock and nearly pinning him. Pisani picked up the three point near fall and took a 5-1 lead, but the Lion sophomore called for a quick injury timeout. Pisani returned for a reset at the center circle with a 5-1 lead and 2:12 in riding time at the 1:20 mark. Pisani countered a Curcio under hook and sent the WVU man to his back for another takedown and two more near fall points to lead 9-1 with :23 left. Pisani tried to turn a cradle into a pin, but Curcio countered for a reversal, cutting the PSU lead to 9-3 heading to the final stanza. Pisani chose down to start the period and quickly reversed Curcio. The reversal was followed quickly by a headlock and a pin for Pisani at the 5:28 mark and the Nittany Lions led 9-4.
149: All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), ranked No. 6 at 149, took on WVU's Brandon Loro. Molinaro used a quick cement mixer to try and turn Loro and, while not getting the near fall, took a 2-0 lead with 1:43 left. Molinaro almost turned Loro with split scissors, but the Mountaineer was able to fight off his back and keep the score close at 2-0. Molinaro rode Loro out and led by two with 1:43 in riding time. He then chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. Molinaro spent the next minute fighting off a Loro single leg. After breaking free, Molinaro used a high double to get a second takedown, add two back points, and lead 7-0 with under :30 left in the period. Another Molinaro ride-out gave the Lion a 7-0 lead with 2:32 in riding time after two periods. Loro chose neutral to start the third, only to get taken quickly to his back and pinned by Molinaro. The Lion All-American got the fall at the 5:22 mark to put Penn State up 15-4.
157: All-American Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah), ranked No. 3 at 157, met West Virginia sophomore Ryan Goodman. Sanderson used a scrambling double leg on the edge of the mat to take a 2-0 lead with 2:15 left in the opening period. Goodman escaped seconds later, only to have Sanderson use a swift ankle pick to gain control of Goodman and up his lead to 4-1 with 1:44. Goodman escaped once again, but Sanderson was relentless, forcing the Mountaineer to the edge of the mat while shooting low to try and pick up another takedown. Sanderson hit a standing cradle and took Goodman to his back for another takedown and, after a brief scramble, got Penn State's third straight pin. This one came at the 2:22 mark and put the Nittany Lions up 21-4.
165: All-American Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.), ranked No. 9 at 165, took on WVU senior Donnie Jones in a key battle at 165. Jones got the first takedown of this marquee match up, taking a 2-0 lead with 2:16 left in the first period. Vallimont escaped at the 1:48 mark to cut the lead to 2-1 and turned into Jones, looking for his first takedown. Vallimont picked up his offensive pace but could not work through Jones' defense as the Mountaineer was able to step back from every Vallimont shot. Leading 2-1, Jones chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead. Vallimont was nearly taken down again by Jones, but the Lion All-American was able to scramble out of bounds and stay close, forcing a reset at the 1:06 mark. Vallimont used his quickness to counter a Jones shot, slip behind the WVU senior, and tie the bout up with a nice takedown at the :40 mark. Vallimont then rode the Mountaineer out to keep the bout tied 3-3 heading into the final period. Vallimont chose down to start the final stanza and quickly escaped to a 4-3 lead. The senior duo both worked collar ties for the bulk of the final period, with each man taking solid low shots but not connecting for a decisive takedown. Vallimont was able to hold off a furious late Jones charge, picking up a stall warning but maintaining his slim lead and escaping with a 4-3 win. The decision put Penn State up 24-4.
174: Freshman Justin Ortega (Oxford, Pa.) took to the mat at 174 to meet WVU senior Chance Litton. Ortega countered an early Litton shot, nearly turning a protracted scramble in front of the Penn State bench into a takedown of his own. But Litton was able to work his way out of bounds and keep the match scoreless. After a reset at the 2:00 mark, the duo continued hand fighting, looking for position. But neither man would find an opening until Litton slipped a high single into an upper body lock. But Ortega was outstanding, able to maintain his feet and force a reset with :25 left. Scoreless after the opening three minutes, Ortega chose down to start the middle period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Litton shot low on Ortega, forcing the Lion into a stall and then rolling through the young Lion for an initial takedown and a 2-1 lead. Ortega escaped to a 2-2 tie with :40 left and action returned to the middle of the mat. The Lion freshman tried to turn a shoulder lock into a takedown late in the period, but Litton was able to fight off the move and keep things tied 2-2. Litton chose down to start the final period, but Ortega was able to belly Litton out and maintain control of the action. Ortega kept control of Litton until a Litton escape with :58 left. The point put the WVU senior up 3-2 with riding time not a factor. Ortega shot, looking for a late takedown, but Litton was able to counter the scrambling shot and walk away with a hard-fought 5-2 win. Penn State led the dual 24-7.
184: Senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio), ranked No. 14 nationally at 184, met No. 19 Matt Ryan of West Virginia in the dual's only match-up between two ranked foes. Erwin was steady out of the gates, using a low double to take a 2-0 lead with 1:56 left in the opening period. The Lion senior then put together a solid ride, breaking the ranked Mountaineer down and building up a solid riding time edge with a cross body ride. Erwin's superb work on top led to a ride-out, a 2-0 lead and 1:55 in riding time after the first period. Erwin chose down to start the second period and quickly worked his way to his feet, with Ryan still clinging to his back. Erwin easily shook the Mountaineer off and turned the move into a reversal and a 4-0 lead. Erwin cut Ryan loose at the :58 mark, looking for another chance to score. Ryan gained control of Erwin's ankle, looking for his first takedown, but Erwin deftly countered the move, worked his way around behind Ryan and nearly scored again. But time ran out and Erwin led 4-1 heading into the final period. Ryan chose neutral to start the third and Erwin continued to set the tempo, pressuring Ryan as he looked for another takedown. Erwin, with a secured bonus point, fought off two Ryan high singles and, on the second one, worked his way around behind Ryan for another takedown and a 6-1 lead with :25 left. Erwin spent the bout's final seconds trying to turn Ryan to his back. But Ryan was able to stay off his back. Still, the 7-1 win gave Penn State a 27-7 lead.
197: The Nittany Lions forfeited the 197-pound weight class, allowing WVU 's Cameron Gallaher to pick up the win and six team points. Penn State sophomore Clay Steadman (McKean, Pa.) was suspended for two duals due to violation of team rules. The forfeit cut Penn State's lead to 27-13.
HWT: Sophomore Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio), ranked No. 13 at heavyweight, met West Virginia junior Brandon Williamson. Wade and Williamson spent the opening period hand fighting and working collar ties in an effort to find an opening to score. But each man was able to hold the other off and the bout moved to the second period tied 0-0. Wade chose down to start the second stanza. Williamson maintained control of Wade for 1:05, but was called for stalling twice in the process. That, along with the Wade escape, gave the Lion sophomore a 2-0 lead. Williamson gained control of Wade's right ankle, but the Lion was able to step over top the WVU junior and force a scramble for the rest of the period. Trailing 2-0, Williamson chose down to start the third period, but Wade was able to control the bigger WVU wrestler. Wade spent the bulk of the period trying to turn Williamson. While not managing to get any back points, Wade's dominating ride allowed the Nittany Lion sophomore to post a convincing 2-0 win. Williamson bit Wade on the arm at the end of the bout and was disqualified as the last seconds expired. The disqualification win for Wade, plus WVU's loss of a team point, gave Penn State a 33-12 win over the Mountaineers.