March 6, 2010
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestlers are sitting in fifth place after one day of wrestling at the 2010 Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Nittany Lions will have one wrestler competing in tomorrow's Big Ten finals, have three NCAA qualifiers so far and four others still needing wins in tomorrow's consolation action to advance to nationals.
Penn State senior Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah) advanced to the finals at 157 with a strong 6-0 win over Michigan State's Anthony Jones in the semifinals. Sanderson clinched an automatic bid to NCAAs and will meet top-seeded Colton Salazar in the finals tomorrow.
Junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) dropped a 14-1 major to top-seeded Angel Escobedo but has already qualified for nationals. Pataky will wrestle in the consolation semifinals tomorrow. Senior Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) fell 14-4 to top-seeded Reece Humphrey and still has work to do in the consolation bracket to advance to Omaha. Sophomore Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) was beaten 12-3 by No. 1 Brent Metcalf of Iowa. Molinaro has already qualified for NCAAs and will wrestle in consolations tomorrow.
Senior Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) dropped a hard-fought 3-1 decision to top-seeded Andrew Howe of Wisconsin and needs another win in consolations to earn a spot at in Omaha. Classmate David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio) fell 4-1 to third-seed Phil Keddy of Iowa and will look for another win and a trip to nationals in tomorrow's consolation semifinals. Sophomore Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) lost a close 5-2 decision to Iowa's Dan Erekson and will need another win in consolation action tomorrow to punch his ticket to NCAAs.
Freshman Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) lost his first consolation bout and went 0-2 at the tournament, ending his season with a 3-23 mark. Classmate Justin Ortega (Oxford, Pa.) also dropped his consolation bout and went 0-2 at the tournament. Ortega ends his season with a 6-20 record. Sophomore Clay Steadman (McKean, Pa.) also lost in the consolations and, after a 0-2 tournament, ends his year with an 8-12 record.
The 2010 Big Ten Wrestling Championships will conclude Sunday afternoon in Michigan's Crisler Arena beginning at 12 noon. The event serves as the national qualifier for all 11 Big Ten programs as individuals try to advance to the 2010 NCAA Championships on March 18-20 in Omaha, Neb. The Big Ten Championship will be aired live on Forever Broadcasting's WRSC?(1390 AM) and on www.GoPSUsports.com as well and the finals will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network. The 2009-10 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
The following is a weight-by-weight breakdown of Penn State's tournament to date:
125: #12 Brad Pataky, Jr. (Clearfield, Pa.), #4 seed, 25-7 overall - NCAA QUALIFIER
Qtrs: W, 7-4 dec. 5th-seed Cashe Quiroga PU
Semis: L, 1-14 maj. dec. 1st-seed Angel Escobedo IN
Cns Semis: Tomorrow morning vs. 6th-seed Nikko Triggas OSU
Junior Brad Pataky, the #4 seed, met top seeded Angel Escobedo in the semifinals. The duo traded early shots, and then Pataky got in deep on Escobedo's right leg, looking to turn it into a takedown and a lead. But Escobedo was able to back his way out of bounds to keep things scoreless at the 1:17 mark. Escobedo then used a high double to take a 2-0 lead with :48 on the clock. Escobedo then turned Pataky to his back for three back points and, with a ride-out, led 5-0 heading into the second stanza. Pataky chose down to start the second period and once again fell victim to an Escobedo tilt, giving up three more back points to fall behind 8-0. A Pataky escape with :58 left cut the lead to 8-1 with the Hoosier also holding a 1:53 riding time edge. Leading 8-1, Escobedo chose down to start the final period and quickly escaped to a 9-1 lead. The 2008 NCAA Champion would hold off against Pataky's final efforts, pick up a late throw for a takedown and two back points, add a riding time point and notch the strong 14-1 major. Pataky's loss moves him to the conso semis tomorrow morning, still needing one more win to qualify for nationals. He will face Ohio State's Nikko Triggas, the #6 seed.
133: Bryan Pearsall, Fr. (Lititz, Pa.), 3-23 overall - Season Complete
1st Rd: L, 2-4 dec. 5th-seed Eric Metzler NU
Cns. Rd. 1: L, 2-6 dec. 6th-seed Zac Stevens UM
Freshman Bryan Pearsall looked to keep his season alive against #6 seed Zac Stevens of Michigan in the first round of consolations. Stevens got the first takedown of the match at the :23 mark and then rode the Lion freshman out to carry a 2-0 lead into the second period. Pearsall chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 2-1 deficit. The Wolverine then turned a low single into a second takedown at the end of the second period to lead 4-1 with just two minutes left to wrestle. Stevens chose neutral to start the final period, leading 4-1. A third Stevens takedown and a Pearsall escape put Stevens up 6-2 with 1:00 to wrestle. Pearsall worked for a takedown of his won, forcing a late scramble, but Stevens worked his way out of bounds to force a reset with :17 left and coasted to the 6-2 win.
141: Adam Lynch, Sr. (Mifflinburg, Pa.), #4 seed, 13-10 overall
1st Rd: W, 17-3 maj. dec. Geno Capezio IN
Qtrs: W, forf. #5 Ryan Prater IL
Semis: Tonight vs. #1 Reece Humphrey OSU
Senior Adam Lynch, the #4 seed at 141, met #1 seed Reece Humphrey of Ohio State in the semifinals. Humphrey scored early off a deep single, taking a 2-1 lead at the 2:40 mark after a Lynch escape. Lynch worked for a takedown, getting in on Humphrey's leg twice, but the Buckeye was able to step back out of trouble each time and hold onto his 2-1 lead. Humphrey countered a late Lynch shot and worked behind the Lion senior for another takedown and a 4-1 lead at the end of the period. Humphrey chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 5-1 lead. The Buckeye added a third takedown at the 1:19 mark, moving out to a 7-2 lead after a Lynch escape. But Humphrey was relentless, taking Lynch down one more time in the period and riding him out to lead 9-2 with 1:08 in riding time at the end of the period. Lynch chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 9-3 deficit. Humphrey added two more takedowns in the final period and got a convincing 14-4 major. Lynch's loss moves him to tomorrow morning's consolation semifinals, with the senior still needing a win to advance to nationals. He will face #6 seed Juan Archuletta of Purdue.
149: #4 Frank Molinaro, So. (Barnegat, N.J.), #4 seed, 28-4 overall - NCAA Qualifier
Qtrs: W, 9-6 vs. 5th-seed David Cheza MSU
Semis: L, 3-12 maj. dec. 1st-seed Brent Metcalf IA
Cns Semis: Tomorrow vs. 7th-seed Mario Mason MN
All-American Frank Molinaro, the #4 seed at 149, met #1 seed Brent Metcalf in the semifinals. Metcalf gained control of Molinaro's shoulders early, looking to notch a quick takedown. But the Lion sophomore was able to work his way out of trouble and keep things scoreless early on. Molinaro got in on a double at the 1:10 mark, but Metcalf was able to counter, work around behind the Nittany Lion and get the bout's first takedown at the 1:06 mark. Metcalf then put together a strong ride and led 2-0 with 1:05 in riding time after the end of the first period. Metcalf chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. Molinaro took another high single, nearly finishing the move off. But Metcalf was once again able to work out of trouble. Molinaro was hit with a first stall warning at the :42 mark. Metcalf got in deep on Molinaro's leg, looking to score a late takedown, but the Lion was able to keep from giving up the score. Trailing 3-0, Molinaro chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 3-1 deficit. Metcalf scrambled for a second takedown on the edge of the mat to take a 5-1 lead with 1:12 left in the bout. Metcalf countered another Molinaro double, working around behind the Lion sophomore for a 7-2 lead with :45 left in the bout. Molinaro escaped to a 7-3 deficit with :27 left but gave up another takedown and two back points with :10 left. Metcalf went on to post a 12-3 major, sending Molinaro to the consolation semifinals tomorrow morning.
157: #6 Cyler Sanderson, Sr. (Heber City, Utah), #2 seed, 27-4 overall - NCAA Qualifier
Qtrs: W, 9-7 dec. 7th-seed Clinton Arlis IL
Semis: W, 6-0 dec. Anthony Jones MSU
Finals: Tomorrow vs. 1st-seed Colton Salazar PU
Senior All-American Cyler Sanderson, the #2 seed at 157, met Michigan State's Anthony Jones in his semifinal match. The duo traded rolling throws early in the bout with each man fighting off his back to keep the bout scoreless. Sanderson took a 2-0 lead with a takedown at the 1:06 mark and rode him out to end the period. Jones chose neutral to start the second period. With :20 left, Sanderson turned a high single into a lift and a takedown on the edge of the mat to lead 4-0 heading into the final period. Sanderson chose down to start the third period and was cut loose to a 5-0 lead. The senior added the riding time point and posted a 6-0 win. The victory moves him into the Big Ten title bout tomorrow and clinches a spot in the NCAA tournament. Sanderson will meet top-seed Colton Salazar of Purdue in the finals.
165: #7 Dan Vallimont, Sr. (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.), #4 seed, 24-7 overall Qtrs: W, 8-2 dec. 5th-seed Paul Young IN
Semis: L, 1-3 dec. 1st-seed Andrew Howe WI
Cns. Semis: Tomorrow vs. #7th-seed Cody Yohn MN
Senior All-American Dan Vallimont, the #4 seed at 165, met top-seeded Andrew Howe of Wisconsin in the semifinals. Vallimont got in on two early high singles, but each time, Howe was able to force a stalemate. The Lion senior continued to shoot, looking to take the early lead. Howe, however gained control of Vallimont's right leg and scrambled for a takedown with :34 on the clock to take a 2-0 lead. Vallimont was not able to escape and trailed 2-0 after one period. Howe chose down to start the second and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. Vallimont shot at the :40 mark, looking to finish off another high single, but like the first period, Howe was able to fight off the move and maintain his three point lead. Trailing 3-0, Vallimont chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 deficit. The senior kept shooting, but each time Howe was able to use solid defense to keep from giving up any takedowns. Howe was hit for a first stall warning with :14 left, but Vallimont ran out of time and dropped a hard-fought 3-1 decision. Vallimont's loss moves him into tomorrow morning's consolation semifinals, still needing a win to qualify for nationals.
174: Justin Ortega, Fr. (Oxford, Pa.), 6-20 overall - Season Complete
1st Rd: L, 1-6 dec. 7th-seed Ian Hinton MSU
Cons Rd. 1: LBF 8th-seed Justin Zeerip UM (2:06)
Freshman Justin Ortega faced off against Michigan's Justin Zeerip, the #8 seed, in the first round of consolations. Zeerip wasted no time in taking a 2-0 lead, using a high single to get the bout's first takedown less than ten seconds into the bout. A strong Zeerip ride led to a turn and a pin for Zeerip at the 2:06 mark, ending Ortega's tournament and season.
184: #9 David Erwin, Sr. (Urbana, Ohio), #2 seed, 28-7 overall
1st Rd: W, 9-7 dec. Aaron Jones NU Qtrs: W, 10-4 dec. 7th-seed Hunter Collins UM Semis: L, 1-4 dec. 3rd-seed Phil Keddy IA Cons. Semis: Tomorrow vs. 5th-seed Travis Rutt, WI
Senior David Erwin, the #2 seed at 184, met third-seeded Phil Keddy of Iowa in the semifinals. Erwin got in deep on Keddy's right leg early in the bout, but the Hawkeye was able to counter the move and force a reset with 2:25 on the clock. Keddy gained control of Erwin's shoulders and tripped him to the mat for a 2-0 lead with 1:32 left in the period. Erwin was not able to break free of Keddy's ride as the Hawkeye was able to maintain control for the rest of the period to lead 2-0 with 1:32 in riding time after the first period. Keddy chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. Erwin tried to score on a high double through Keddy's waste, but the Hawkeye was able to work his way out of trouble and keep Erwin scoreless. With a 3-0 lead, Keddy was able to step back from every Erwin shot and led by three with two minutes remaining. Erwin chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 deficit (Keddy had 1:46 in riding time). Keddy then held Erwin at arm's length for the remainder of the bout and, with the bonus point, posted a hard-fought 4-1 win. The loss moves Erwin into the consolation semifinals tomorrow morning, still needing a win to earn an NCAA bid.
197: Clay Steadman, So. (McKean, Pa.), 8-12 overall - Season Complete
1st Rd: l, 1-7 dec. 6th-seed Matt Powless IN
Cns Rd 1: L, 3-8 dec. 4th-seed Patrick Bond IL
Sophomore Clay Steadman took to the mat in the first round of consolations at 197 to meet #4 seed Patrick Bond of Illinois. Bond drew first blood in the match, countering a Steadman shot and finishing off a single leg for a 2-0 lead at the 1:20 mark. Steadman escaped with :45 left, cutting Bond's lead to 2-1 after the opening period. Bond chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead. Bond added a second takedown to up his lead to 5-1 with :34 left in the middle stanza. A late Steadman escape cut Bond's lead to 5-2 heading into the final period. Steadman chose down to begin the third and quickly escaped to a 5-3 deficit. The Nittany Lion sophomore fought the fourth-seed tough over the final minute, looking for a takedown to tie the bout. But Bond was able to counter a late Steadman shot, gain control of the Lion's right leg, and ice the bout with a third takedown at the :30 mark. Bond rode Steadman out, picked up the bonus point, and posted an 8-3 win, ending Steadman's season.
HWT: #17 Cameron Wade, So. (Twinsburg, Ohio), #3 seed, 19-8 overall
Qtrs: W, 1-0 dec. 6th-seed Corey Morrison OSU
Semis: L, 2-5 vs. 2nd-seed Dan Erekson IA
Cns Semis: Tomorrow vs. 5th-seed Erik Bugenhagen WI
Sophomore Cameron Wade, the third seeded heavyweight, met #2 seed Dan Erekson of Iowa in the semifinals. Erekson got in deep on Wade's right leg early, looking to turn it into a takedown. But Wade countered the move and was looking to score when a potentially dangerous hold stopped action. Erekson nearly scored on a high double, but Wade backed out of trouble and kept the bout scoreless with 1:00 to wrestle. Tied 0-0, Wade chose down to start the second period. Wade worked for an escape, fought off a near fall attempt by Erekson, but could not break out of the Hawkeye's ride. The ride-out kept the bout scoreless, but Erekson had 2:00 in riding time heading into the final period. Erekson chose neutral to start the third period and was able to use a low double to trip up Wade and take a 2-0 lead with :52 left in the bout. Wade escaped, turned in to try a quick takedown but was countered by Erekson and trailed 4-2 with :20 (Erekson got called for locked hands). Erekson then rode Wade out and posted a 5-2 win, sending Wade to the consolation semifinals.