May 20, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, under the direction of head coach Cael Sanderson, continues to collect accolades for its championship season. Three members of Sanderson's squad have been named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team while the squad itself distinguished itself as the top academic squad in the Big Ten.
Sophomore Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) and junior Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) were all first team All-Academic selections. Wright, a business management major, was the 2011 NCAA National Champion and 2011 Big Ten Champion at 184 pounds this year. A two-time All-American, Wright ended the year with a 21-6 record, including a 9-0 run in March to claim the two titles.
Taylor is a recreation, park and tourism management major and was the 2011 NCAA National Runner-Up at 157 as well as the 2011 Big Ten Champion. Taylor, who was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Year and Freshman of the Year, went 38-1 as a freshman. The 2011 WIN Magazine National Freshman of the Year set a Penn State record with 34 bonus point wins as well. Wade, a finance major, earned his second straight trip to the NCAA Championships this year. An injury in the national quarterfinals kept Wade from achieving All-America status on the mat as he returned from the injury to lose a hard-fought sudden victory decision in the `round of 12'. Wade went 30-8 this season.
As a team, Penn State ended the year 11th on the NWCA's list of top 30 academic institutions with a 3.1054 actual team grade point average. Penn State's No. 11 finish far-outdistanced the next Big Ten team on the list, which was Iowa at No. 23. Only Michigan State (No. 26) and Ohio State (No. 30) joined the Lions and Hawkeyes in the top 30. Penn State's three All-Academic honorees were second-most in the conference (Purdue had four).
The Nittany Lions are coming off a thrilling 2010-11 season that saw them post a 17-1-1 dual meet record, claim their first ever Big Ten Championship and win the 2011 NCAA Championship for the first time since 1953. Fans wishing to purchase 2011 Penn State Wrestling NCAA Championship gear can do so now by visiting the online store at www.GoPSUsports.com/store . Season tickets for the 2011-12 season are disappearing fast as well. Fans may make deposits on new season tickets by following the information available online at is www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets/m-wrestl-tickets.html . Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at www.twitter.com/pennstatepat and on Penn State Wrestling's facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling. The 2010-11 Penn State Wrestling season has been presented by The Family Clothesline.