Jan. 13, 2010
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 moved up one spot to No. 13 as a team in the latest NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll.
Penn State's three All-Americans all retain their top eight rankings. Sophomore Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) stays at No. 5 at 149 after having his 21-match win streak snapped against No. 4 Kyle Terry of Oklahoma. Molinaro is 21-1. Senior Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah) stands at No. 6 at 157 and sports a 19-2 overall record while classmate Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.), the lone Nittany Lion to go 4-0 at the Virginia Duals, stays at No. 8 at 165 and is 18-3 overall.
Three other Nittany Lions moved to No. 12 at their respective weights, led by senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio), who is now No. 12 at 184 and is 19-5 overall. Junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) is 17-5 overall and ranked No. 12 at 125 while sophomore Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) sports a 12-5 overall record and is No. 12 at heavyweight.
Penn State is one of seven Big Ten teams ranked in the top 25. Iowa (1), Ohio State (3), Minnesota (5), Indiana (12), Penn State (13), Wisconsin (14) and Illinois (19) are all ranked.
The Nittany Lions are now 8-3-1 on the year and open up Big Ten action next Friday. Penn State's first home dual in nearly three months is set for Jan. 22 when it hosts No. 19 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.