Nov. 3, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Two members of the top-ranked Penn State wrestling team took part in the Clarion University Knight Point Open today, opening up the open tournament season for head coach Cael Sanderson's Nittany Lions. Senior Andrew Church (Erie, Pa.) and true freshman Garrett Hammond (Chambersburg, Pa.) each competed unattached in the season's first open tournament.
Church worked his way into the quarterfinals before dropping into the consolation bracket. The fifth-year senior ended a strong opening run with a 4-2 record.
Hammond, seeing his first action at the collegiate level, dropped his first match and then reeled off four straight dominating wins in consolation action. Hammond posted an identical 4-2 record. His four wins included three pins and a technical fall. One of his pins was in just 0:42.
Penn State opens up the 2013-14 season at Rider on Sat., Nov. 16, and at Lehigh on Sun., Nov. 17. Prior to that, Sanderson's squad will send a strong contingent of Lions to compete unattached at the Binghamton Open on Nov. 10.
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 2013-14 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.