Nov. 2, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
Complete Release in PDF Format
TODAY'S ACTION
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; November 2, 2010 -- The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team moves ever-so-closer to the start of the 2010-11 season by hosting an open-to-the-public intrasquad dual meet on Thursday, Nov. 4. Action begins in Rec Hall at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The coaching staff is stressing that the line-up for Thursday's event is very tentative and subject to change up until the dual itself. As of press time (11/2), 11 matches ares scheduled to be contested. At 125, freshmen Frank Martellotti (Pittsburgh, Pa.) will take on classmate Nate Morgan (McCook, Neb.). Sophomore Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) will face off against freshman Sam Sherlock (West Mifflin, Pa.) at 133. At 141, senior Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) will take on a freshman, either Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) or No. 13 Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.). The decision on which Alton will wrestle will be made at match time. With No. 3 Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) set to return to action soon, sophomore James English (York, Pa.) will wrestle freshman David Church (Erie, Pa.) at 149. No. 6 David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) will meet freshman classmate James Vollrath (Richboro, Pa.) in a contest at 157.
Sophomore Nick Fischer (Unionville, Pa.) will meet red-shirt freshman Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa.) at 165 while senior Michael Lorenzo (Bellefonte, Pa.) faces No. 13 Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) at 174. Freshman Andrew Church (Erie, Pa.) meets No. 3 Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) in a match-up at 184. High school teammates will face each other at 197 as sophomore Justin Ortega (Oxford, Pa.) meets freshman Nick Ruggear (Oxford, Pa.). Freshman Jon Gingrich (Wingate, Pa.) will battle No. 9 Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) at heavyweight. One exhibition contest will be featured as well as freshman 165-pounder Dirk Cowburn (Coudersport, Pa.) will battle freshman 174-pounder Brandon Phillips (Timonium, Md.).
The Nittany Lions went 13-6-1 in Sanderson's inaugural year as Penn State's mentor, including a 5-3 mark in Big Ten duals. Penn State ended the 2009-10 year ranked No. 10 nationally in the final USA Today/NWCA Coaches dual meet poll and then completed the stunning one-year turnaround by placing ninth at the 2010 NCAA Championships in Omaha, tallying 49 points, the 17th-most in Penn State's long and storied wrestling history.
Penn State will open up the 2010-11 season at Bloomsburg on Friday, Nov. 12, with a 7 p.m. dual against the Huskies. The home season begins just two days later when Lehigh invades Rec Hall on Sunday, Nov. 14, for a 2 p.m. dual. Season tickets for the 2010-11 Penn State wrestling season are on sale now. This year's package features seven home duals (the Nittany Lion Open is not part of the package) and costs only $42 for adults and $28 for youth (18 and under). Fans can place new orders for season tickets by calling Joel Diamond at 814-867-2557. A $5 per order handling fee will be added to new season ticket holders. Single dual tickets will go on sale later this fall. The 2010-11 Penn State wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline. All Penn State events will once again air live on Forever Broadcasting's WRSC (1390 AM) and WSQV (92.1 FM). All radio broadcasts are streamed live at GoPSUsports.com as part of the All-Access package. The 2010-11 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
POSSIBLE COMPETITORS As of November 1, 2010
#6 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
(The coaching staff stresses that this line-up is very tentative and is subject to change up until the event itself. The athletes are listed alphabetically.)
Wt. Name Yr. Hometown/High School 2010-11 Record
125 Frank Martellotti Fr. Pittsburgh, Pa./Shady Side 0-0
vs. Nate Morgan Fr. McCook, Neb./McCook 0-0
133 Bryan Pearsall So. Lititz, Pa./Warwick 0-0
vs. Sam Sherlock Fr. West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin 0-0
141 Dylan OR #13 Andrew Alton Fr. Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain 0-0
vs. Adam Lynch Sr. Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg 0-0
149 David Church Fr. Erie, Pa./Fort LeBoeuf 0-0
vs. James English So. York, Pa./Central York 0-0
157 #6 David Taylor Fr. St. Paris, Ohio/St. Paris Graham 0-0
vs. James Vollrath Fr. Richboro, Pa./Council Rock South 0-0
165 Nick Fischer So. Unionville, Pa./Unionville 0-0
vs. Jake Kemerer Fr. Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield 0-0
174 Michael Lorenzo Sr. Bellefonte, Pa./Bellefonte 0-0
vs. #13 Ed Ruth Fr. Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township 0-0
184 Andrew Church Fr. Erie, Pa./Fort LeBoeuf 0-0
vs. #3 Quentin Wright So. Wingate, Pa./Bald Eagle Area 0-0
197 Justin Ortega So. Oxford, Pa./Oxford 0-0
vs. Nick Ruggear Fr. Oxford, Pa./Oxford 0-0
285 Jon Gingrich Fr. Wingate, Pa./Bald Eagle Area 0-0
vs. #9 Cameron Wade Jr. Twinsburg, Ohio/St. Peter Chanel 0-0
EXHIBITION
Dirk Cowburn (165) Fr. Coudersport, Pa./Coudersport 0-0
vs. Brandon Phillips (174) Fr. Timonium, Md./Delaney 0-0
Indiv. rankings Intermat/Team rankings NWCA
HEAD COACH Cael Sanderson
Cael Sanderson comes to Penn State after three extremely successful years as the head coach at his alma mater. Sanderson's teams did not finish any lower than fifth at the NCAA Championships and never had a wrestler not qualify for nationals, getting 30 of 30 grapplers through to the championship tournament. In 2007, Sanderson's rookie campaign, he led ISU to a 13-3 dual meet record and the first of three straight Big 12 Championships. An NCAA Runner-Up finish in Detroit capped off a wildly successful year as the Cyclones crowned one national champion and Sanderson was honored as Big 12 Coach of the Year, National Rookie Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year. The next year, Sanderson led ISU to a 16-4 dual meet mark, another Big 12 title and a fifth place finish at nationals. Iowa State's seven All-Americans in 2008 were the most at the school since 1993. This past season, Sanderson's team went 15-3 in duals, won its third straight Big 12 title and took third place at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis (just 12 points out of first place). The Cyclones also crowned another national champion. In three years, Sanderson's teams went 44-10, won three conference crowns, qualified all 30 wrestlers for nationals, and earned 15 All-America awards and two individual national titles. In his first year at Penn State, he guided the Lions to a 13-6-1 dual meet mark, 5-3 in Big Ten action, and crowned his first Big Ten Champion. Sanderson now sports a 57-17-1 dual meet mark in this, his fourth year as a collegiate head coach. He went 13-6-1 at Penn State in his first year and guided the team to a ninth place finish at NCAAs with three All-Americans. In four years as a head coach, Sanderson has 36 qualifiers, 18 All-Americans and two National Champions.
THE Cael Sanderson SHOW DEBUTS WEDNESDAY
Nittany Lion wrestling coach Cael Sanderson's weekly radio show debuts this Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m. The 30-minute show will air regionally on the PA Sports Now network. The show will air every Wednesday from November 3 through the end of the season from 6 to 6:30 p.m. (airtime is actually 6:06 p.m. after station breaks and news at the top of the hour). For a complete list of regional affiliates, check the note on page 4.
FANS LINE-UP TO SEE CAEL AT FAMILY CLOTHESLINE
Head coach Cael Sanderson stopped down at presenting sponsor The Family Clothesline this past Saturday for a two-hour autograph signing. Long lines greeted Sanderson for the full two hour stint as Cael took the time to chat and take pictures with Penn State fans from around the region who were in town for the Nittany Lion football game against Michigan later that night.
PENN STATE RANKED #6 IN NWCA/USA TODAY COACHES POLL; SIX LIONS RANKED INDIVIDUALLY BY INTERMAT
The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, under the guidance of head coach Cael Sanderson, will head into the 2010-11 season ranked No. 6 in the first National Wrestling Coaches Association/USA Today Coaches Poll. The No. 6 nod mirrors other national rankings previously released. Cornell is tabbed as the early season No. 1 with 275 points while Boise State follows at 254. Oklahoma State is ranked No. 3 with 252 points while Minnesota is ranked No. 4 with 244. Wisconsin is next at No. 5 with 224 with Penn State sixth at 215. Iowa (7), Oklahoma (8), Central Michigan (9) and Illinois (10) round out the top ten. Ohio State (12), Michigan (18), Northwestern (19) and Purdue (20) are also ranked in the top 25, giving the Big Ten nine teams on the list. Conference foe Indiana is receiving votes. Looking at Penn State's schedule, nine of Penn State's foes are ranked in the top 25 with another receiving votes. Penn State will face Minnesota (4), Wisconsin (5), Iowa (7), Illinois (10), Ohio State (12), Pittsburgh (14), Lehigh (17), Michigan (18), Rutgers (21) and Indiana (RV) this year.
Six members of the Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, led by head coach Cael Sanderson, are listed among the top 20 at their respected weights in the season-opening individual rankings by Intermat. All-Americans Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) and Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) lead Penn State with No. 3 nods. The full release can be viewed at www.intermatwrestle.com. Molinaro, a two-time All-American, is ranked No. 3 at 149 after his 5th place finish last year. He enters into the 2010-11 season with a 56-26 career record and an 8-5 mark at nationals (having placed eighth at 141 two years ago). Wright, who red-shirted last year, is ranked No. 3 at 184. Wright went 33-13 as a true freshman two years ago and took sixth at 174. Junior Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) is ranked No. 9 at heavyweight. Wade went 22-11 last season and qualified for nationals, going 2-2 in Omaha. He is 37-25 as a two-year starter for the Nittany Lions. Three freshmen are also ranked for the Nittany Lions. Red-shirt freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) is ranked No. 6 at 157. Taylor went 21-2 as an unattached red-shirt last season. Fellow red-shirt freshman Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) is ranked No. 13 at 174. Ruth was equally impressive in unattached action last year, going 14-3. True freshman Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) is ranked No. 13 at 141. No decision has been made as of press time on weather Andrew and/or twin brother Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) will wrestle or red-shirt this season.
PENN STATE RANKED #6 IN W.I.N.'S PRE-SEASON POLL
Six members of head coach Cael Sanderson's Penn State wrestling team are ranked by Wrestling Insider Magazine's pre-season individual rankings. The Nittany Lions also received a No. 7 nod in the publication's pre-season Tournament Power Index (TPI), which differs from dual meet rankings. Two-time All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) heads into the new year with a No. 3 ranking at 149 after his fifth place finish a year ago. Molinaro went 33-7 as a sophomore. 2009 All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) moves up a weight to 184 and is ranked No. 7 in the early season listing. Wright, who red-shirted last year, was a sixth-place finisher at 174 two years ago with a 33-13 mark. Junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) sports a No. 7 ranking at 125 after his second straight trip to the `round of 12'. The two-time national qualifier went 28-10 last season. Classmate Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) is ranked No. 8 at heavyweight. Wade was a 2010 national qualifier and was 22-11 year ago. Red-shirt freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) is ranked No. 7 early on at 157 while fellow red-shirt freshman Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) is ranked No. 14 at 174. Both Taylor and Ruth are part of one of two top-ranked recruiting classes that Sanderson will draw from in 2010-11. WIN Magazine does not list true freshmen in its pre-season rankings. Penn State's No. 7 nod in the TPI (which WIN uses to `predict' where teams will finish in the NCAA tournament based on the pre-season individual rankings) has it in the top ten with four other Big Ten schools (Minnesota at No. 4, Wisconsin at No. 5, Ohio State at No. 6 and Illinois at No. 10). Iowa (No. 11), Michigan (No. 13), Northwestern (No. 15) and Purdue (No. 18) give the Big Ten nine teams in the top 20.
PENN STATE RANKED #6 IN THE OPEN MAT'S PRE-SEASON RANKINGS
The preseason wrestling rankings continue to roll in and Penn State has received another lofty mention from the national media. TheOpenMat.com has tabbed head coach Cael Sanderson's crew No. 6 in its preseason team rankings. Five Penn State grapplers have also received preseason individual nods. The full release is available at www.theopenmat.com. The Nittany Lions are one of four Big Ten teams in TOM's top ten and one of nine conference teams in the top 25. Minnesota (3), Iowa (5), Penn State (6), Wisconsin (7), Ohio State (11), Purdue (13), Northwestern (18), Illinois (19) and Michigan (20) represent the league on the list. Two-time All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) is ranked No. 3 at 149 after taking fifth last year. Molinaro heads into his junior campaign with a 56-26 career record. All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, N.J.) is ranked No. 5 at his new weight of 184 after taking sixth at 174 in 2009. Wright went 33-13 as a true freshman two years ago. Two-time national qualifier Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) is ranked No. 8 at 125. He will carry a 74-29 career record into his senior campaign. Fellow qualifier Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) is ranked No. 8 at heavyweight. Wade, now a junior, has a 37-25 career mark. Red-shirt freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) is ranked No. 8 at 157 and is heading into his first season of varsity action.
BOTH SINGLE MEET AND DUAL MEET TICKETS ON SALE
Fans wishing to purchase single dual meet tickets for the 2010-11 Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling season can place their orders starting on Monday, October 18 at 10am. Season ticket holders will have the advantage of ordering up to four additional tickets for any home matches on Friday, October 15, before going on sale to the public. With season tickets already at record levels and an attractive seven-match home dual schedule, the public sale of single event tickets is expected to result in early sellouts for some of the home matches this year at Rec Hall. To place reserved ticket orders, fans may call 814-865-5555 or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket pricing is $8 for adults and $5 for youth, and there will be a limit of eight tickets per order. Group sales will begin November 1, based on availability.
Head coach Cael Sanderson's squad features two returning All-Americans, two more returning national qualifiers and two consecutive top-three recruiting classes. This year's home schedule begins in earnest on Sunday, Nov. 14, with a home dual against in-state rival Lehigh at 2 p.m. Lock Haven then invades Rec Hall on Sunday, Dec. 12, for a 2 p.m. match-up. The Big Ten season begins early when conference rival Ohio State comes to Happy Valley for a 2 p.m. dual on Sunday, Dec. 19. The Pittsburgh Panthers close out Penn State's non-conference schedule in Rec Hall on Friday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. The Iowa Hawkeyes come to town on Sunday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m., followed by a match-up with the Illinois Illini on Friday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. The Nittany Lions close out their dual meet schedule with a home meeting with the Wisconsin Badgers on Friday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m.
Season tickets are also still available, priced at only $42 for adults and $28 for youth (18 and under). Fans can place new orders for season tickets by calling Joel Diamond at 814-867-2557. A $5 per order handling fee will be added to new season ticket holders. All ticket orders will be fulfilled and mailed by November 1, 2010. All times are subject to change. The 2010-11 Penn State wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
PENN STATE WRESTLING RADIO NETWORK EXPANDS
The Penn State wrestling radio network is expanding with the addition of a second station carrying all live action during the 2010-11 season. In addition, PA Sports Now will carry the Cael Sanderson Show on over 10 stations state-wide (see side panel note). Once again, Forever Broadcasting's WRSC (1390 AM) will serve as the flagship station for the entire dual meet schedule as well as tournament action from the Nittany Lion Open, the Southern Scuffle, the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Championships. This year, Clinton County's WSQV (92.1 FM) has signed on to carry the live schedule as well. Jeff Byers, long-time voice of Penn State wrestling, will once again call the action for Nittany Lion fans. All live broadcasts, dual meets and tournaments, as well as the Cael Sanderson Show, will also be streamed live on GoPSUsports.com as part of the All-Access package. Simply got to www.GoPSUsports.com, click on the All-Access icon and follow the steps to sign up.