Jan. 27, 2013
VIDEO: Highlights & Post-Match Press Conference
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, ranked No. 1 nationally in Intermat's TPI, took apart No. 12 Nebraska in front of another sold out Rec Hall crowd. The Nittany Lions won eight of ten bouts in their way to a 33-9 win in front of 6,618 fans in a Rec Hall White Out.
All-American Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), ranked No. 2 nationally at 125, received a forfeit victory to start the dual and put Penn State up 6-0 early. The win improved Megaludis to 16-1 on the year. Red-shirt freshman Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.) remained undefeated in duals with a dominating 14-5 major over Nebraska junior Shawn Nagel at 133. Senior Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) posted a 2-0 win over No. 19 Ridge Kiley at 141, putting Penn State up 13-0 earl.
Nebraska picked up its first win of the dual when No. 12 Jake Sueflohn rebounded from an early 4-0 deficit to get a third period fall over No. 3 Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.). The pin, at the 5:33 mark, cut Penn State's lead to 13-6. Nittany Lion All-American Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 6 at 157, then brought another sold out Rec Hall crowd to its feet with a late takedown to notch a 3-1 win over No. 4 James Green. The thrilling win put Penn State up 16-6 at intermission.
Two-time All-American David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), ranked No. 2 at 165, dominated Husker senior Tyler Koehn, controlling the action from start to finish on his way to a 16-1 technical fall at the 5:09 mark. Nebraska picked up its only other win, a tough 10-7 victory by No. 4 Robert Kokesh over No. 3 Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah) at 174. Two-time All-American Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 184, was dominant once again, posting an 18-3 technical fall (7:00) over No., 8 Josh Ihnen.
Three-time All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) posted a strong 10-2 major over Husker Caleb Kolb at 197. Wright, ranked No. 3 nationally, had 3:25 in riding time. Sophomore Jon Gingrich (Wingate, Pa.), ranked No. 17 at 285, closed out the dual with a strong 7-4 win over Spencer Johnson. The decision gave Penn State a 33-9 victory.
Penn State won the takedown battle 18-5. The Nittany Lions remain undefeated, holding an 8-0 mark, 5-0 in Big Ten action. Nebraska falls to 9-4, 3-3 in Big Ten duals.
Penn State now hits the road for most of February, beginning with a Feb. 1 date at Iowa. The Nittany Lions and Hawkeyes tangle at 9 p.m. (Eastern) on Friday in a dual that airs live on the Big Ten Network. Penn State's only remaining dual meet is Sunday, Feb. 17, when Rider visits Rec Hall. The dual is sold out but a limited number of SRO tickets may be available. For availability, fans can call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office windows from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at www.twitter.com/pennstateWREST and on Penn State Wrestling's facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling. The 2012-13 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
#1 Penn State 33, #12 Nebraska 9
January 27, 2013 - University Park, Pa. - Rec Hall
125: #2 Nico Megaludis PSU win by forfeit 6-0
133: Jordan Conaway PSU maj. dec. Shawn Nagel NEB, 14-5 10-0
141: Bryan Pearsall PSU dec. #19 Ridge Kiley, 2-0 13-0
149: #12 Jake Sueflohn NEB pinned #3 Andrew Alton PSU, WBF (5:33) 13-6
157: #6 Dylan Alton PSU dec. #4 James Green NEB, 3-1 16-6
165: #2 David Taylor PSU tech fall Tyler Koehn NEB, 16-1 (TF; 5:09) 21-6
174: #4 Robert Kokesh NEB dec. #3 Matt Brown PSU, 10-7 21-9
184: #1 Ed Ruth PSU tech fall #8 Josh Ihnen NEB, 18-3 (TF; 7:00) 26-9
197: #3 Quentin Wright PSU maj. dec. Caleb Kolb NEB, 10-2 30-9
285: #17 Jon Gingrich PSU dec. Spencer Johnson NEB, 7-4 33-9
Attendance: 6,618
Records: Penn State 8-0, 5-0 Big Ten; Nebraska 9-4, 3-3 Big Ten
Up Next for Penn State: At Iowa, Friday, Feb. 1, 9 p.m. (Eastern)/BTN
BOUT-BY-BOUT:
125: All-American Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), ranked No. 2 at 125, received a forfeit victory to start the dual and improved his record to 16-1.
133: Red-shirt freshman Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.) met Husker junior Shawn Nagel at 133. The duo battled through an even minute-plus before Conaway connected on a single leg, forcing a scramble in the middle of the mat. Nagle forced a stalemate and then quickly opened u the scoring with a takedown of his own, taking a 2-1 lead after a quick Conaway escape. With :20 left, Conaway gained control of Nagel's ankle and worked his way to a takedown with :01 left to lead 3-2 after one period. Nagel chose down to start the second period and Conaway made him pay for the decision. The Lion freshman controlled the action from the top, building up over 1:00 riding time and forcing Nagel into a first stall warning. Conaway's ride out gave the Lion a 3-2 lead with 1:53 in riding time after two periods. Conaway chose down to start the third period and steadily worked his way to a reversal and a 5-2 lead with 1:30 on the clock. Nagel escaped with 1:05 left, cutting the lead to 5-3. Conaway stepped aside a quick Nagel shot, sliding by and behind him for another takedown and a 7-3 lead. He then cut Nagel loose, added on two takedowns, two late near fall points and a riding time point, surging to a 14-5 major decision with a dominant close to the third period.
141: Senior Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) faced off against No. 19 Ridge Kiley at 141. The duo battled through an even two minutes, with each man fighting off the other's offense. Continuing to work the shoulders, the senior tandem worked their way through a scoreless first period, sending the bout to the second period tied 0-0. Kiley chose down to start the second period but Pearsall was able to break the Husker down and maintain control. A stalemate was called with Pearsall still in control and :57 on the clock. Pearsall was too much on top, however, maintaining control for the full two minutes. Tied 0-0 but with 2:00 riding time, Pearsall chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Pearsall worked to control Kiley's shoulders, looking for a way to get the bout's first takedown. Kiley was able to keep from giving up any points and Pearsall held his 1-0 lead at the :50 mark. Pearsall fought off a late Kiley shot and, with the riding time, posted the hard fought 2-0 win.
149: Sophomore Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 3 nationally at 149, took on No. 12 Jake Sueflohn in one of the dual's key bouts. Alton wasted no time taking a lead, taking Sueflohn down right out of the gates and then turning the Husker for two back points and a 4-0 lead less than :30 into the bout. After a Sueflohn escape, Alton fought off two Sueflohn shots, and led 4-1 at the 1:00 mark. The Lion sophomore nearly caught Sueflohn in a shoulder throw, but the Husker was able to roll out of trouble. Alton got called for a first stall warning at the :10 mark but led 4-1 after one period. Alton chose down to start the second period and steadily worked his way to an escaped and a 5-1 lead at the 1:20 mark. Sueflohn continued to pressure Alton, picking up his first takedown to cut the lead to 5-3 at the :35 mark. Sueflohn forced a second Alton stall and trailed 5-4 after two. Sueflohn chose down to start the second period and quickly reversed the Lion sophomore. Sueflohn then turned Alton to his back and put Nebraska on the scoreboard with a pin, getting the fall at the 5:33 mark.
157: All-American Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 6, met No. 4 James Green in a marquee match-up at 157. Alton sent Green to his back at the 1:30 mark, sending the sold out Rec Hall crowd to its back with the takedown. But Alton did not get the fall or the takedown after a review and the match remained scoreless two minutes in. The ranked duo wrestled through an even final minute and action moved to the second period tied 0-0. Alton chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Alton fought off a Green single leg to hold onto his 1-0 lead into the third period. Green chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 1-1 tie at the 1:41 mark. Alton shot low on Green, forcing a counter shot and a scramble that ended out of bounds with :58 on the clock. Alton forced Green backwards for :30 and then rolled through a low double to ice the bout with a takedown at the :20 mark! Alton's 3-1 win over No. 4 Green put Penn State up 16-6 at the break.
165: All-American David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), ranked No. 2 at 165, faced off against Husker senior Tyler Koehn. Taylor set the early tempo, forcing Koehn back and gaining control of his right ankle on the edge of the mat. Taylor worked his way to the takedown and led 2-0 with 1:46 on the clock. Taylor built up over 1:00 in riding time, looking for a chance to turn the Husker for back points. The Lion junior turned Koehn for three near fall points and a 5-0 lead with :35 left. He then reset and picked up a two point near fall to lead 7-1 after a late Koehn escape. Koehn chose down to start the second period only to be turned to his back one again for three more back points. Leading 10-1, Taylor picked up two more near fall points with 1:00 left. Taylor controlled action for the action for the remainder of the period, picking up three more back points to lead 15-1 after two. Taylor chose down and quickly escaped to a 16-1 tech fall at the 5:09 mark.
174: Sophomore Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah), ranked No. 3 at 174, met No. 4 Robert Kokesh in yet another anticipated match-up. Brown was the aggressor early on, gaining control of Kokesh's shoulders and forcing a scramble on the edge of the mat that nearly led to a takedown. Kokesh was able to roll out of trouble and the bout returned to the center circle tied 0-0 with :40 left in the period. Brown used a low single to gain control of Kokesh's ankle but could not work his way to a takedown as the period ended. Brown chose down to start the second period but Kokesh was able to control the action, holding tight to Brown's ankle for :30 as the Lion sophomore worked to get free. Brown's efforts forced Kokesh into a first stall warning and then the Lion sophomore escaped to a 1-0 lead with :50 on the clock. Brown then shot low on Kokesh, gaining control of the Husker and picking up a takedown on the edge of the mat for a 3-0 lead at the :37 mark. Kokesh escaped quickly to a 3-1 deficit. Kokesh then took Brown down and scored two near fall points as the period ended to storm to a 5-3 lead after two periods. Brown chose down to start the third but Kokesh quickly reversed him to up his lead to 7-4. He then added another takedown and led 9-4 with 1:02 on the clock. Brown looked to score late, but Kokesh was able to force a stalemate with :27 on the clock. Brown notched a late takedown and nearly stole the match with a pin at the buzzer. But time ran out as Brown finished off the cradle and Kokesh, with 1:09 in riding time, posted the 10-7 win.
184: All-American Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 184, met No. 8 Josh Ihnen in yet another top-ten match-up. Ihnen scored early, getting control of Ruth's legs and taking an early 2-0 lead with a takedown. Ruth quickly escaped and turned into the Husker, looking to score himself. Ruth quickly picked up his first takedown, using a low single and leading 3-2 with 1:30 left. He then cut Ihnen loose to a 3-3 tie. Ruth tacked on a second takedown and led 5-3 with :30 left in the opening period. Leading 5-3, Ruth chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 6-3 lead. Ruth forced Ihnen into a stall warning and then used a high single to pick up another takedown. Leading 8-3, Ruth rode Ihnen for the rest of the period. Ihnen chose down to start the third period but Ruth easily turned the Husker to his back for three back points. After pickup up another point on an Ihnen stall, Ruth maintained control for the next minute before turning him to his back for two more near fall points and a 14-3 lead. Looking to finish off a statement match, Ruth turned Ihnen for three more back points, picked up a riding time point thanks to 2:47 in riding time, and notched the 18-3 tech fall at the 7:00 mark.
197: All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), ranked No. 3 at 197, took on Nebraska's Caleb Kolb. Wright notched the first takedown, taking Kolb to the mat for an early 2-0 lead. Continuing to look for a turning combination, Wright dominated the action and broke Kolb down in the center of the mat. Wright rode Kolb out and led 2-0 with 2:03 riding time after one period. Wright chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. Wright added to his lead with a late second period takedown and carried the 5-0 edge into the third with nearly 3:00 riding time. Kolb chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 5-1 deficit. Wright continued to pressure Kolb, forcing the Husker backwards for the first minute before taking him down for a 7-1 lead with :52 left on the clock. With the riding time point clinched, Wright cut Kolb loose and began looking for a major decision. Wright picked up the takedown and then rode Kolb out. The 3:25 in riding time gave Wright the 10-2 major decision.
285: Sophomore Jon Gingrich (Wingate, Pa.), ranked No. 17 at 285, met Husker sophomore Spencer Johnson. Gingrich used a high double to score early, taking a 2-0 lead with 2:40 on the clock. The Nittany Lion then controlled the action from the top, keeping control for :30 until Johnson escaped to a 2-1 score. Gingrich pressured Johnson for the remainder of the period, nearly scoring again on a high double with :20 left. But Johnson was able to back away from the shot and Gingrich led 2-1 after one. Johnson chose down to start the second period but Gingrich was too strong up top, keeping control and building up over 1:00 in riding time. Johnson worked his way to a reversal and a 3-2 lead of his own with :25 on the clock, but Gingrich was able to escape quickly and tied the bout at 3-3. Gingrich chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to a 4-3 lead with 1:45 in riding time. The Lion sophomore blew through a high double leg to up his lead to 6-3 with 1:31 left to wrestle. Gingrich nearly turned Johnson to his back but only got a one-count and the Lion held his 6-3 lead with a clinched riding time point with :50 on the clock. Johnson escaped to a 6-4 deficit with :30 on the clock but Gingrich finished with a low single that killed the clock. The 7-4 win for Gingrich included 2:47 in riding time.