Jan. 9, 2010
HAMPTON, Va.; January 9, 2010 - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, ranked No. 14 nationally, dropped a hard-fought l dual meet decision to No. 4 Oklahoma State in the semifinals of the 2010 National Duals. Head coach Cael Sanderson's Nittany Lions, the tournament's fourth-seed, won four of ten bouts against top-seeded OSU but it was not enough as the loss snapped an eight dual unbeaten streak. Penn State will now face No. 10 Oklahoma in the third place bout tonight at 8:30 p.m.
The bout began with Oklahoma State's Chris Notte, ranked No. 9 at 125, downing No. 12 Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) 9-7. Pataky was looking to finish off a tying shot as the bout ended but the Nittany Lion junior waited too long to begin his offensive push. The Cowboys added a major at 133 and a pin at 141 to bolt out to a 13-0 lead.
All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), ranked No. 5 at 149, put the Nittany Lions on the scoreboard with a 9-0 major over Quinten Fuentes. All-American Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah), ranked No. 2 at 157, used a late takedown to post a 5-4 win over No. 14 Neil Erisman and All-American Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) added a 2-1 win over No. 13 Alex Meade to cut the Cowboy lead to 13-10 with four bouts remaining.
Oklahoma State got a technical fall at 174 before senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio), ranked No. 14 at 184, downed No. 9 Clayton Foster of Oklahoma State 9-3, cutting the Cowboy lead to 18-13 with two bouts remaining. Sophomore David Crowell (Easton, Pa.) made his Penn State dual meet debut wrestling up a weight at 197 where he faced No. 8 Alan Gelogaev of Oklahoma State. Gelogaev posted a 14-7 decision to clinch the dual. Oklahoma State added a decision at heavyweight to give the Cowboys the 24-13 win.
The Cowboys won the takedown battle 22-9 and got six bonus points to one for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State is now 8-2-1 on the year while Oklahoma State moves to 7-0-1. Penn State faces No. 10 Oklahoma tonight at 8:30 p.m. for third place in the event's final session. 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 13, #4 Oklahoma State 24
Hampton, Va. - Virginia Duals - January 9, 2010
| 125: #9 Chris Notte OSU dec. #12 Brad Pataky PSU, 9-7 | 0-3 |
| 133: #7 Jordan Oliver OSU maj. dec. Bryan Pearsall PSU, 14-4 | 0-7 |
| 141: #4 Jamal Parks OSU pinned Adam Lynch PSU, WBF (3:55) | 0-13 |
| 149: #5 Frank Molinaro PSU maj. dec. Quinten Fuentes OSU, 9-0 | 4-13 |
| 157: #2 Cyler Sanderson PSU dec. #14 Neil Erisman OSU, 5-4 | 7-13 |
| 165: #8 Dan Vallimont PSU dec. #13 Alex Meade OSU, 2-1 | 10-13 |
| 174: #10 Mike Benefiel OSU tech. fall Justin Ortega PSU, 20-5 (TF; 6:15) | 10-18 |
| 184: #14 David Erwin PSU dec. #9 Clayton Foster OSU, 9-3 | 13-18 |
| 197: #8 Alan Gelogaev OSU dec. David Crowell PSU, 14-7 | 13-21 |
| 285: #2 Jared Rosholt OSU dec. #18 Cameron Wade PSU, 3-0 | 13-24 |
Records: Penn State 8-2-1, Oklahoma State 7-0-1
Up Next for Penn State: vs. #10 Oklahoma for third place, tonight, 8:30 p.m.
BOUT-BY-BOUT:
125: In one of many match-ups between ranked grapplers, Penn State's Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) met Oklahoma State's Chris Notte. Pataky was ranked No. 12 at 125 while Notte was ranked No. 9. Pataky scored first with a quick takedown on a double leg off the opening whistle. The early move put Pataky up 2-0 with just 15 seconds gone. The Nittany Lion junior then controlled Notte with a strong ride, building up a 1:42 riding time edge before Notte managed a reversal to briefly tie the score. Pataky quickly escaped to take a 3-2 lead and action resumed in the middle of the mat with :50 left in the opening period. Pataky tried to hit a cement mixer, but Notte caught Pataky and took the Lion down, nearly picking up back points in the process. Pataky fought off the near fall attempt but still trailed 4-3 after one period. The Nittany Lion chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-4 tie (Pataky also had :55 in riding time after the escape. Pataky continued to set the offensive tempo. But Notte countered a Pataky shot, caught the Lion in a shoulder lock and turned him to his back for a takedown and two quick back points. But Pataky rolled through for a reversal and then rode Notte for over :40 for a ride-out. Leading 8-6, Notte chose down to begin the third period. Pataky controlled Notte, looking for a chance to turn him. The Nittany Lion cut Notte loose at the 1:30 mark to a 9-6 deficit but had secured a riding time point. Needing another takedown, Pataky waited until just :04 left to try a shot and could not finish off the move. The 9-7 loss put Penn State down 3-0 early.
133: Penn State sent freshman Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) to the mat at 133 to face No. 7 Jordan Oliver of Oklahoma State. Oliver notched three quick takedowns and added two near fall points on the third before Pearsall reversed the Cowboy to cut the OSU lead to 8-4 after the opening period. Pearsall chose down to begin the second period but found himself tilted for three back points midway through the period to fall behind 11-4. Pearsall fought off a cradle effort by Oliver to keep the score at 11-4 after two periods but Oliver had built up 3:14 in riding time, securing the bonus point. Oliver chose neutral to start the third period. Pearsall, looking to avoid giving up a major, took the opening shot of the last period but Oliver was able to step out of trouble and maintain his lead. Pearsall continued to pressure Oliver, but the Cowboy was able to counter a late shot by Pearsall for a final takedown and a 14-4 major decision. The major put the Cowboys up 7-0.
141: Senior Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) faced off against No. 4 Jamal Parks of Oklahoma State. Parks wasted no time in taking an early lead, scoring off a fast shot less than :30 into the bout. He then controlled Lynch for 1:06 before cutting him loose to a 2-1 lead. Parks added a second takedown and a strong ride out to lead 4-1 with 2:11 in riding time after the opening period. Parks chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 5-1 lead. Another Cowboy takedown led to Parks sending Lynch to his back. Parks then worked his way to a pin at the 3:55 mark and Oklahoma State led 13-0.
149: All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), ranked No. 5 at 149, met Oklahoma State's Quinten Fuentes. Molinaro used a fast high double to take a 2-0 lead at the 2:01 mark. Controlling the Cowboy from the top position, Molinaro worked to turn Fuentes over for back points. While not turning Fuentes, the solid cross-body ride allowed the Nittany Lion to build up a 2:01 riding time advantage with a strong ride out. Fuentes chose down to start the second period, only to find himself in the same position. Molinaro used a perfect arm bar to turn Fuentes to his back for three near fall points, then reset himself again, and began working for another turn. The Nittany Lion sophomore continued to work Fuentes, forcing a first stall warning and securing a riding time bonus point. The Nittany Lion rode Fuentes out to carry they 5-0 lead with over 4:00 of riding time into the final period. Molinaro chose down to start the third stanza and quickly escaped to a 6-0 lead. Molinaro exploded through another high double to take an 8-0 lead with 1:40 left in the bout. Another cross body ride by Molinaro allowed the Nittany Lion to ride Fuentes out again. Molinaro's dominating 9-0 major decision cut the OSU lead to 13-4.
157: Nittany Lion Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah), ranked No. 2 at 157, met No. 14 Neil Erisman. The senior All-American took an early 2-0 lead with a quick shot and takedown at the 1:33 mark. An Erisman escape cut the lead to 2-1 and action resumed in the center circle. Sanderson used a head-outside single to gain control of Erisman's right ankle, but the Cowboy was able to force a scramble and kill the clock. Trailing 2-1, Erisman chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 2-2 tie. Erisman took his first shot at the 1:45 mark, but Sanderson was able to fight off the move and work his way out of bounds to force a reset with 1:07 remaining in the middle period. Sanderson once again took a shot, using a high single to force another scramble. Erisman, however, was able to fight off the Nittany Lions' shot and keep the bout tied with :40 left. Tied 2-2, Sanderson chose down to begin the final period but was quickly turned to his back for two near fall points. Sanderson tried to reverse and turn Erisman, but the Cowboy was able to maintain control and the top position. Sanderson escaped to a 4-3 deficit with 1:01 left. Needing a takedown to avoid the upset loss, Sanderson began working Erisman's head and used a perfect low double to get the takedown with :28 left. Needing a ride out to maintain his lead, Sanderson was able to keep control of Erisman to wind out the clock. The 5-4 win cut the Cowboy lead to 13-7.
165: Senior Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.), ranked No. 8 at 165, faced off against No. 13 Alex Meade. The duo battled to a Vallimont win in overtime in Reno and the rematch began in similar fashion as neither main scored in a fast-paced opening period. Tied 0-0, Vallimont chose down to begin the second stanza. Mead locked his hands right out of the gates, giving Vallimont a 1-0 lead. A quick escape put the Nittany Lion up 2-0 and action returned to the center circle. Vallimont used a head-outside single to get in on Meade's right leg, but Meade was able to fight off the move and force a reset with just :05 left in the period. Trailing 2-0, Meade chose down to begin the final period and escaped to a 2-1 deficit with 1:42 left to wrestle. Riding time was not a factor. Meade took a shot, nearly converting a single leg, but Vallimont scrambled out of trouble to maintain his slim lead with 1:15 left. Meade upped his pressure, forcing Vallimont into a stall warning with :22 left in the bout. A late Vallimont headlock allowed the Nittany Lion to post a 2-1 win and bring Penn State to within three points, 13-10.
174: Freshman Justin Ortega (Oxford, Pa.) took on No. 10 Mike Benefiel at 174. Benefiel took an early 2-0 lead with a takedown at the 2:17 mark, but Ortega quickly escaped and forced a reset with 1:58 left in the opening period. Another Benefiel takedown and Ortega escape gave the Cowboy a 4-2 lead with 1:20 left. Benefiel added a third takedown and three near fall points to bolt out to a 9-2 lead with just under a minute remaining. A solid ride out allowed Benefiel to lead 9-2 with 1:21 in riding time after one period. The Cowboy chose down and quickly escaped to begin the next stanza and led 10-2. Benefiel tacked on two more takedowns in the period and led 14-3 with 1:42 in riding time. Ortega chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 14-4 deficit, but Benefiel quickly took Ortega down and tacked on two near fall points to lead 18-5 after cutting Ortega loose. Looking for a technical fall, Erisman ended the bout with a final takedown at the 6:15 mark, posting the 20-5 technical fall and putting OSU up 18-10.
184: Senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio), ranked No. 14 at 184, met No. 9 Clayton Forster of Oklahoma State. Foster, undefeated at 10-0 on the year, took a quick shot but Erwin was able to counter and force a scramble in the middle of the mat. The Nittany Lion senior worked his way behind the ranked Cowboy for a 2-0 lead at the 1:55 mark. Erwin maintained control of Foster for nearly a minute before the Cowboy escape cut the lead to 2-1. Neither wrestler scored for the remainder of the period and Erwin led 2-1 with :56 in riding time. Foster chose down to begin the second period, but Erwin was able to maintain control long enough to build up a 2:05 riding time edge before Foster was able to reverse the Nittany Lion senior to take a 3-2 lead with just under a minute in the period. Erwin was not able to break free of a strong Foster ride and trailed by one, 3-2, heading into the final period. Erwin, with 1:12 in riding time to his advantage, needed a quick escape to tie the bout and did just that, tying the bout at 3-3 just three seconds into the final period. Erwin used a quick low single to send Foster to his back and take a 5-3 lead with 1:22 left in the bout. After Foster called for an injury time-out on the bottom, Erwin chose down after the reset and escaped to a 6-3 lead with :40 left. Foster got in deep on Erwin's leg, but the Nittany Lion senior was able to counter the move and work his way around Foster for a third takedown and an 8-3 lead. The riding time point allowed Erwin to post a dominating 9-3 win over the ninth-ranked Foster. The win cut the Cowboy lead to 18-13.
197: Sophomore David Crowell (Easton, Pa.) made his Penn State dual meet debut wrestling up a weight at 197 against No. 8 Alan Gelogaev of Oklahoma State. Gelogaev broke out to an early 4-2 lead with two takedowns in the first 1:15 of the bout. Gelogaev added a third takedown before Crowell turned into the Cowboy on the edge of the mat for his first takedown with 1:00 left. A quick Gelogaev escape gave the Cowboy a 7-5 lead. He added a fourth takedown to lead 9-5 after three minutes of wrestling. Gelogaev chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 10-5 lead. Crowell worked to get his second takedown on the edge of the mat, but Gelogaev was able to slide out of bounds and force a reset with :45 left in the period. Gelogaev countered a late Crowell shot and added a last second takedown to lead 12-5 after two periods. Crowell chose down to begin the third period and escaped to a 12-6 deficit. Crowell forced Gelogaev into a stall warning and then shot low on the Cowboy, but Gelogaev countered once again for another takedown and a 14-6 lead. A Crowell escape kept the decision to a three-pointer as the 14-7 Gelogaev win put Oklahoma State up 21-13, clinching the dual.
HWT: Sophomore Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio), ranked No. 18 at heavyweight, took on No. 2 Jared Rosholt in the dual's final match-up. Wade was equal to the task through the first period, battling Rosholt evenly for three minutes with neither man scoring. Rosholt, however, took the lead early in the second, choosing down to begin the period and then reversing Wade for a 2-0 lead with 1:30 left in the period. He then rode Wade out to lead 2-0 with 1:24 in riding time to start the final period. Wade chose neutral to being the final period but could not break through solid Rosholt defense and dropped a hard-fought 3-0 decision to the second ranked grappler.