Dec. 15, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Six members of the Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team continue to hold rankings in the latest individual rankings released by Intermat and viewable at www.intermatwrestle.com. Head coach Cael Sanderson's squad is ranked No. 15 as a team in the latest NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll, also released today.
Senior Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah) maintained his hold on the No. 3 spot at 157. Sanderson is 10-1 overall after getting a pin and a fall in two duals this past weekend. Sophomore Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) stays at No. 6 at 149 and is Penn State's only remaining unbeaten wrestler. Molinaro got a pin and a major last weekend and is 12-0. Junior Senior Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) is 10-2 on the year holds his No. 9 ranking at 165 after a 2-0 weekend as well.
Junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) slipped to No. 10 at 125 after a 1-1 weekend, including an upset loss at Pitt. Pataky is 10-2 on the year. Sophomore Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) is 9-3 at HWT and ranked No. 13 while senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio), winner of two bouts this past weekend, stays at No. 14 at 184 and is 12-2 on the year.
Penn State is one of seven Big Ten teams ranked among the top 25. Iowa (1), Ohio State (3), Minnesota (6), Indiana (13), Penn State (15), Wisconsin (18) and Illinois (20) are all ranked and Purdue is receiving votes.
Penn State is now 5-1-1 on the year and heads to Reno, Nev., for the Reno Tournament of Champions on Sunday, Dec. 20. 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.