Dec. 23, 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 remains at No. 15 as a team in the latest NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll.
Senior Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah) moved up to No. 2 at 157 after winning the Reno TOC crown and improving his season mark to 15-1. Sophomore Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) stays at No. 6 at 149 and is Penn State's only remaining unbeaten wrestler. Molinaro also won the Reno TOC crown and is 17-0 on the year. Senior Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) moved up a spot to No. 8 at 165 and is 13-3. He was a Reno TOC runner-up, dropping a 2-1 decision on riding time to defending national champ (and top-ranked) Jarrod King of Edinboro.
Junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) slipped to No. 11 at 125 and is 13-4 this season. Sophomore Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) is 9-3 at HWT and ranked No. 12 while senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio), winner of two bouts this past weekend, stays at No. 14 at 184 and is 15-4 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 (12), Penn State (15), Wisconsin (18) and Illinois (20) are all ranked and Purdue is receiving votes.
The Nittany Lions are now 5-1-1 on the year and will visit Lock Haven on Sunday, Jan. 3, in a 3 p.m. dual. 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.