March 17, 2012
VIDEO: NCAA Session V Interviews with Dylan Alton and Cody Sanderson
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Red-shirt freshman All-American Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) battled his way to a third place finish in the medal rounds of the 2012 NCAA Wrestling Championships. Alton, the No. 7 seed at 157, went 2-0 as the Lions' only competitor in the morning session. While not official until tournament's end tonight, and barring any loss of team points, head coach Cael Sanderson's Nittany Lions have clinched their second straight NCAA Championship.
Penn State enters tonight's national finals with 128.5 points, more than 12 points ahead of second place Minnesota, which only has two finalists (for a maximum of 12 winnable points). As long as the Nittany Lions do not lose any team points, Penn State will claim its second NCAA title in Sanderson's three years as head coach.
In his first match, Alton took on No. 5 Ganbayar Sanjaa of American. The freshman All-American went to extra time with Sanjaa, wearing him down and getting the decisive takedown in the second sudden victory period to post the 7-5 (sv2) win and move into the third place match.
Alton then met No. 3 Jason Welch of Northwestern for third. The Nittany Lion freshman took care of the Wildcat, using two takedowns, an escape and 1:23 in riding time to roll to a 6-2 win. The victory closed out Alton's inaugural NCAA tourney run with a 7-1 mark and a third place finish, well above his No. 7 seed.
The 2012 NCAA Finals begin tonight at 6:30 p.m. CENTRAL/7:30 p.m. EASTERN and will air live on ESPN. Penn State will have five finalists battling for national titles tonight. True freshman Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.) at 125, senior Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) at 149, sophomore David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) at 165, sophomore Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) at 174 and junior Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) at 184 will all be vying for championships tonight.
Alton's 2-0 morning gives Penn State a 30-7 overall record heading into the finals. Penn State has 23.0 bonus points off of seven pins, six majors and two tech falls. Penn State's five finalists is an all-time school record as is its current team point total (sitting at 128.5 heading into tonight). By virtue of Alton's third place finish, more than half (six) of Penn State's line-up finished in the top three nationally.
The full season slate of live dual meet and tournament action has aired locally WRSC AM (1390 AM) with Friday evening duals being simulcast on WRSC FM (103.1 FM). Lock Haven's WBPZ (1230 AM) will also carry the entire season live, WIEZ (670 AM) in Huntingdon/Lewistown carries all Sunday events. The regular season schedule of radio broadcasts will be streamed live at www.GoPSUsports.com as part of Penn State's All-Access package. 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 2011-12 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
2012 NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS - Top 5 Team Standings Session 4
Saturday, March 17, 2012 - Scottrade Center - St. Louis, Mo.
1: PENN STATE - 128.5
2: Minnesota - 113.5
3: Iowa - 103.5
4: Cornell - 90.5
5: Oklahoma State - 66.0
The following is a weight-by-weight breakdown/agate of Penn State's tournament to date:
125: Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), Fr. - #10 seed - 28-7 overall - ALL-AMERICAN
1st Rd: W, 13-5 maj. dec. Michael Martinez, Wyoming
2nd Rd: W, 7-3 dec. #7 Jarrod Patterson, Oklahoma
Qtrs: W, 7-4 dec. #2 Zach Sanders, Minnesota
Semis: W, 3-2 (tb2) dec. #6 Frank Perrelli, Cornell
Finals: Tonight vs. #1 Matt McDonough, Iowa
True freshman Nico Megaludis opened up his first NCAA Championship tournament with an impressive win over fifth-year senior Michael Martinez of Wyoming. Megaludis dominated the action from start to finish and posted the 13-5 major decision, picking up an early bonus point for Penn State.
In the second round, Megaludis roared back from a 3-0 deficit in the third period to score seven unanswered points to post a 7-3 win over No. 7 Jarrod Patterson of Oklahoma. Megaludis used an escape, a takedown, three back points and 1:37 in riding time to roll to the win.
Megaludis exacted sweet revenge on No. 2 seed Zach Sanders of Minnesota in the national quarterfinals. The true freshman rolled to a 7-4 win thanks to three takedowns and an escape. Sanders downed Megaludis twice during the regular season by identical 6-2 scores. Megaludis bolted out to a 3-1 lead after two periods with an escape and takedown. In the third period, the Lion freshman dominated the action, taking Sanders down twice and picking up the win to become a true freshman All-American.
Avenging a loss to another wrestler he met earlier in the year, Megaludis thrilled the Penn State faithful with a 3-2 (tb2) win over No. 6 Frank Perrelli of Cornell in the national semifinals. Megaludis took the Cornell senior through two sudden victory periods and then maintained control for the full :30 in the second tie breaker. Then, taking bottom on his turn, Megaludis quickly escaped and advanced to the national finals with the win.
133: Frank Martellotti (Pittsburgh, Pa.), So. - 9-11 overall - Season Complete
1st Rd: LBF #1 Jordan Oliver, Oklahoma State (2:06)
Cns 1: W, 2-1 dec. Frank Lomas, CS-Bakersfield
Cns 2: L, 9-19 maj. dec. #6 Devin Carter, Virginia Tech
Sophomore Frank Martellotti made his NCAA Championship debut against the tournament's No. 1 seed, Oklahoma State's Jordan Oliver. Martellotti got taken down early by the top seed and then pinned at the 2:06 mark.
The true sophomore rebounded in the first round of wrestle backs, getting a reversal in the third period to post an important 2-1 decision over UC-Bakersfield's Frank Lomas. The win kept Martellotti alive and moved him into the second round of wrestle backs.
Martellotti was then eliminated in the second round of consolations, suffering a 19-9 major decision to No. 6 Devin Carter of Virginia Tech. Martellotti went 1-2 in his first trip to NCAAs but picked up a key team point in the first round of consolations.
149: Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), Sr. - #1 seed - 32-0 overall - ALL-AMERICAN
1st Rd: W, 9-0 maj. dec. Chris Villalonga, Cornell
2nd Rd: W, 6-5 dec. Scott Sakaguchi, Oregon State
Qtrs: W, 10-2 maj. dec. #8 Eric Grajales, Michigan
Semis: W, 5-0 dec. Justin Accordino, Hofstra
Finals: Tonight vs. #7 Dylan Ness, Minnesota
Top seed Frank Molinaro began his quest for an NCAA title and his fourth All-America honor with a dominating 9-0 major over Cornell's Chris Villalonga at 149. Molinaro recorded three takedowns, an escape, a stall point and a riding time point off 4:07 in time to coast to the win.
In the second round, Molinaro battled through a tough match-up with Oregon State's Scott Sakaguchi. The Nittany Lion senior used a solid 2:27 riding time edge for the decisive point in a 6-5 win to more into the quarterfinals.
Molinaro became Penn State's fifth four-time All-American with a dominating 10-2 major decision over No. 8 Eric Grajales of Michigan. The Nittany Lion senior broke open a close match with a takedown and two near fall points in the second and then two more takedowns, an escape and riding time in the third. Molinaro heads to the national semifinals and joins Nittany Lion greats Greg Elinsky, Jim Martin, Sanshiro Abe and Phil Davis as a four-time All-American.
Molinaro then dominated Hofstra's Justin Accordino in the national semifinals. Molinaro notched a first period takedown and a third period reversal while rolling up a whopping 4:03 in riding time to coast to the 5-0 decision. The victory moved him into his second straight national championship match.
157: Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), Fr. - #7 seed - 30-6 overall - ALL-AMERICAN
1st Rd: W, 12-4 maj. dec. Jake O'Hara, Columbia
2nd Rd: W, 2-1 dec. #10 Anthony Jones, Michigan State
Qtrs: L, 1-3 (sv) #2 Derek St. John, Iowa
Cns 4: W, 6-3 dec. Joshua Kreimier, Air Force
Cns 5: W, 4-3 dec. #11 James Green, Nebraska
Cns Semis: W, 7-5 (sv2) dec. #5 Ganbayar Sanjaa, American
3rd Place: W, 6-2 dec. #3 Jason Welch, Northwestern
Red-shirt freshman Dylan Alton made his NCAA Championship debut in fine fashion with a dominating 12-4 major over Columbia's Jake O'Hara. Alton rolled up 3:01 in riding time for the important team bonus point.
In the second round, Alton used a strong third period ride to build up a riding time edge and grab an important 2-1 win over No. 10 Anthony Jones of Michigan State. Each wrestler had an escape and Alton's 1:14 in riding time provided the difference as the Lion freshman moved into the quarterfinals.
Alton battled No. 2 Derek St. John into sudden victory once again in the quarters. In the extra period, the Lion freshman got in on a single against the Hawkeye but St. John countered, rolled through and picked up the 3-1 sudden victory decision. Alton, still one win from All-America status, moved into the consolation fourth round.
In the `round of 12', Alton used a takedown in each of the first two periods to roll to an impressive 6-3 win over Air Force's Joshua Kreimier, earning All-America status as a freshman and keeping his quest for third place alive. Alton added an escape and a riding time point for the victory and joins Nico Megaludis as Penn State's newest freshmen All-Americans.
Alton then used a late third period takedown to post a key 4-3 win over No. 11 James Green of Nebraska, earning a trip to the consolation semifinals and keeping a third place finish within reach. Alton got his takedown with less than :30 left and then rode Green out for the victory.
In the consolation semifinals Saturday morning, Alton met No. 5 Ganbayar Sanjaa of American. For the second straight bout, Alton went to extra time and once again, proved the victor. The Lion freshman used a swift low double in the second sudden victory period to notch a 7-5 (sv2) win over Sanjaa and move into the third place bout.
Alton took on No. 3 Jason Welch of Northwestern for third, closing out Penn State's medal round activity. The Nittany Lion freshman took care of the Wildcat, using two takedowns, an escape and 1:23 in riding time to roll to a 6-2 win. The victory closed out Alton's inaugural NCAA tourney run with a 7-1 mark and a third place finish, well above his No. 7 seed.
165: David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), So. - #1 seed - 31-0 overall - ALL-AMERICAN
1st Rd: WBF over Corey Lear, Bucknell (1:40)
2nd Rd: WBF over Brandon Wright, UT-Chattanooga (1:51)
Qtrs: WBF over #8 Robert Kokesh, Nebraska (0:29)
Semis: WBF over #4 Bekzod Abdurakhmonov, Clarion (4:46)
Finals: Tonight vs. #11 Brandon Hatchett, Lehigh
Top-seed David Taylor opened up his run towards NCAA glory with a quick pin of Bucknell's Corey Lear. Taylor notched an early takedown and the turned the Bison to his shoulders for a quick first period fall at the 1:40 mark.
Taylor needed just :11 more seconds in his second round match-up. Taylor turned another first period takedown into a pin, getting the fall at the 1:51 mark over UT-Chattanooga's Brandon Wright. Taylor's second straight pin moved him into the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, Taylor needed less than a half a minute to become a two-time All-American. The Nittany Lion sophomore used a low single against No. 8 Robert Kokesh of Nebraska to take the Husker to the mat. He then quickly locked up a cradle and decked the Husker for a pin at the :29 mark, moving into the national semifinals.
In the semifinals, Taylor made it four-for-four in pins, getting a fall over No. 4 Bekzod Abdurakhmo of Clarion at the 4:46 mark. Taylor was in the middle of a blistering second period that saw him collect three takedowns before turning the Golden Eagle to his back and getting his fourth straight pin. The victory moved Taylor into his second straight national title bout.
174: Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), So. - #1 seed - 30-0 overall - ALL-AMERICAN
1st Rd: WBF over Jim Resnick, Rider (1:43)
2nd Rd: WBF over Dorian Henderson, Missouri (1:25)
Qtrs: W, 11-4 dec. #9 Nick Heflin, Ohio State
Semis: W, 16-1 tech fall over #4 Logan Storley, Minnesota (TF; 6:38)
Finals: Tonight vs. #3 Nick Amuchastegi, Stanford
Top-seed Ed Ruth began his quest for an NCAA crown with a quick pin over Rider's Jim Resnick. Ruth turned his second takedown of the first period into a cradle and got the fall at the 1:42 mark.
Ruth needed even less time in his second round match-up with Missouri's Dorian Henderson. The Lion sophomore turned a first period takedown into a quick cradle and got the fall at the 1:25 mark, moving into the quarterfinals.
Ruth joined Taylor as a two-time All-American with a dominating 11-4 win over Ohio State's Nick Heflin, the No. 9 seed. The Lion used three takedowns, stall points and 2:45 of riding time to roll to the win and into the national semifinals.
In the semifinals, Ruth dominated No. 4 Logan Storley in a rematch of the Big Ten Championship, won by Ruth two weekends ago. The Lion sophomore used two early takedowns and a three-point near fall to open up a big lead heading into the third period. In the third, Storley took down and Ruth made him pay by turning him for two three-point near falls and then tacking on a final takedown for the 16-1 technical fall at the 6:38 mark.
184: Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), Jr. - #6 seed - 30-3 overall - ALL-AMERICAN
1st Rd: W, 11-0 maj. dec. Thomas Ferguson, North Carolina
2nd Rd: W, 10-2 maj. dec. #11 Ben Clymer, Hofstra
Qtrs: WBF #3 Ben Bennett, Central Michigan (2:35)
Semis: W, 3-2 dec. #2 Robert Hamlin, Lehigh
Finals: Tonight vs. #4 Steve Bosak, Cornell
Defending National Champion Quentin Wright began the defense of his NCAA title with a resounding 11-0 major decision over North Carolina's Thomas Ferguson. Wright used a late takedown and three near fall points to collect the bonus point.
Wright then hammered No. 11 Ben Clymer of Hofstra in the second round, using a late takedown and 2:28 in riding time to post a 10-2 major decision and move into the quarterfinals. The major also added important bonus points to the Lions' tally.
The Nittany Lion junior then thrilled the Scottrade Center in the quarterfinals, hitting a standing cradle against No. 3 Ben Bennett of Central Michigan and working nearly 1:30 to get the sizzling first period pin at the 2:35 mark. The pin makes Wright Penn State's 20th three-time All-American and moved him into the national semifinals.
In a rematch of last year's national title bout, Wright once again defeated No. 2 Robert Hamlin of Lehigh. The Nittany Lion junior notched a first period takedown and a second period escape and held on for a hard-fought 3-2 win, moving to the national finals to defend his title.
197: Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.), Fr. - 18-10 overall - Season Complete
1st Rd: W, 9-3 dec. Taylor Meeks, Oregon State
2nd Rd: L, 7-22 tech fall #1 Cam Simaz, Cornell (TF; 7:00)
Cons Rd 2: L, 3-8 dec. Andrew Campolattano, Ohio State
True freshman Morgan McIntosh made his first NCAA Championship appearance against Oregon State's Taylor Meeks. McIntosh turned the Beaver to his back twice in the third period for three-point near falls and rolled to a 9-3 win in his NCAA tournament debut.
In the second round, the true freshman ran into top seeded Cornell senior Cam Simaz and suffered a 22-7 tech fall defeat at the 7:00 mark on riding time. The loss sent McIntosh into the consolation second round.
McIntosh met Ohio State's Andrew Campolattano for the third time this season in the second round of consolations. After defeating the Buckeye twice during the year, the Nittany Lion true freshman suffered an 8-3 setback and ended his tournament with a 1-2 record, picking up key team points with a first round win.
285: Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio.), Sr. - #6 seed - 28-6 overall - Season Complete
1st Rd: W, 17-2 tech fall over Quintas McCorkle, Clarion (TF; 7:00)
2nd Rd: W, 8-2 dec. Maciej Jochym, Cornell
Qtrs: L, 0-7 dec. #3 Clayton Jack, Oregon State
Con 4: L, 4-7 dec. Nick Gwiazdowski, Binghamton
Senior Cameron Wade, the No. 6 seed at heavyweight, began the 2012 NCAA Championships with a superb 17-2 technical fall over Clarion's Quintas McCorkle. Wade picked up a last second takedown and, with the riding time point, picked up the tech fall at the 7:00 mark for 1.5 team bonus points.
In the second round, Wade used a six point first period to roll to an 8-2 win over Cornell's Maciej Jochym. The Lion senior notched a takedown, two back points and a reversal in the first period and then a reversal in the third to roll into the quarterfinals.
Wade then fell to No. 3 Clayton Jack of Oregon State in the quarterfinals. The Lion senior fell victim to two takedowns and a reversal and shifted down to the consolation rounds still one win from All-America stats.
In the `round of 12', Wade fell victim to a third period reversal and dropped a hard-fought 7-4 decision to Binghamton's Nick Gwiazdowski. The Lion senior fell just one win shy of All-America status for the second straight year. He ends his senior season with a 28-6 overall record and leaves Penn State with a 94-39 career record.