Dec. 7, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, ranked No. 6 in the latest Intermat Tournament Power Index, crowned five champions at the 2014 Nittany Lion Open. The event, hosted by the Nittany Lion wrestling club, is a non-team scored open tournament.
Junior Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.), ranked No. 11 at 125, picked up Penn State's first title of the day. Conaway went 3-0 with two technical falls and a major to advance to the finals, where he handled Dalton Macro, a non-collegiate grappler. While the finals victory doesn't count in his record, the win gave Conaway the 2014 Nittany Lion open title at 125. Sophomore Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.), ranked No. 5 at 133, won the 133-pound title with a 3-1 win over Rutgers' Anthony Giraldo in the finals. Gulibon went 3-0 to win the crown.
Two Nittany Lions met in the finals at 157. True freshman Jason Nolf (Yatesboro, Pa.) took on red-shirt freshman Cody Law (Windber, Pa.), with Nolf posting the 21-8 major decision to take the 2014 NLO crown at 157. Nolf went 5-0 with three pins, a tech fall and a major to win the crown while Law was strong with a 3-1 mark, including a pin, to take second. Likewise, at 174, two Nittany Lions met in the finals with All-American Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah) taking on true freshman Bo Nickal (Allen, Tex.). The duo put on quite a show with Brown posting a thrilling 10-7 win to win the crown. Brown posted a 3-0 mark to take first place while Nickal was 2-1 to finish second.
Red-shirt freshman Matt McCutcheon (Apollo, Pa.), ranked No. 19 at 184, won his first Nittany Lion Open title. The Apollo native posted a 4-0 mark with a pin, a tech fall and a major to win the title. Junior Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.), ranked NO. 4 at 197, posted a perfect 4-0 mark and took second place at 197 (he did not compete in the finals). McIntosh had two pins and two majors. At 285, the finals bout between Nittany Lions Jimmy Lawson (Toms River, N.J.) and true freshman Nick Nevills (Clovis, Calif.) was not contested and the duo split second place. Lawson was 1-0 (with two more wins over non-collegiate grapplers) and Nevills was 2-0 with a pin (and another pin over a non-collegiate).
Junior Luke Frey (Montoursville, Pa.) had a solid tournament, going 5-1 with two majors and a tech fall to place third at 149. Red-shirt freshman Kade Moss (South Jordan, Utah) posted a 3-2 mark to place fourth at 141 while junior Michael Waters (Advance, N.C.) went 3-2 at 141 and took fifth. Junior James Frascella (Carmel, Ind.) was strong at 184, posting a 4-2 mark with a pin, a tech and a major to place fourth. True freshman Anthony Cassar (Rocky Hill, N.J.) had a strong tournament, going 5-2 to place fifth at 197. Red-shirt freshman Garett Hammond (Chambersburg, Pa.) posted a 4-1 record at 165 to place seventh. True freshman Kenneth Yanovich (Effort, Pa.) went 3-3 at 125 and placed eighth in his first run through the NLO. Red-shirt freshman Nicholas Weldon (Birmingham, Ala.) went 3-2 and placed seventh at 184.
With a Big Ten dual meet just four days away, a number of Lions saw limited action. Sophomore Zack Beitz (Mifflintown, Pa.), ranked No. 14 at 149, suffered an upset loss in the opening round of the tournament to go 0-1 on the day. Senior Jon Gingrich (Wingate, Pa.), ranked No. 7 at 285, pinned Virginia Tech's Brandon Taylor in the first round in his only match of the day, going 1-0.
Junior Rex Lutz (Easton, Pa.) went 2-1 at 174. Red-shirting freshman Jordan Pagano (Oradell, N.J.) had a solid 3-2 tournament at 165 and classmate George Carpenter (Chapel Hill, N.C.) went 1-1 at 125. Junior Josh Rogers (Pottstown, Pa.) picked up a victory at 197 and sophomore Caleb Livingston (Drexel Hill, Pa.) also competed at the event, wrestling at 174.
Head coach Cael Sanderson's squad posted a 68-26 overall mark at the tournament (this total does not include results against non-collegiate competitors), sending ten to the finals and notching five champions.
Penn State is 3-0 overall, 0-0 B1G, in dual meets. The Nittany Lions open up Big Ten action on Thursday, Dec. 11, at Maryland. The first-ever Big Ten dual between the teams begins at 6 p.m. and will air live on the Big Ten Network. Penn State's next home dual is set for Friday, Dec. 19, when Virginia Tech visits Rec Hall for a 7 p.m. match-up. A limited number of SRO tickets are available for select Penn State Rec Hall dual meets. For ticket inquiries, call 1-800-NITTANY. Nittany Lion 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 2014-15 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
2014 NITTANY LION OPEN FINALS RECAP:
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 - Rec Hall - University Park, Pa.
125: #11 Jordan Conaway PSU dec. Dalton Macri, UANR, 10-3
133: #5 Jimmy Gulibon PSU dec. Anthony Giraldo RUT, 3-1
141: Dennis Gustafson VT dec. Tyson Dippery RUT, 8-1
149: Richard Durso F&M dec. Laike Gardner, LEH, 7-5
157: Jason Nolf PSU maj. dec. Cody Law PSU, 21-8
165: Nestor Tafur F&M dec. Craig Eiffert UANR, 6-3
174: #3 Matt Brown PSU dec. Bo Nickal PSU, 10-7
184: #19 Matt McCutcheon PSU maj. dec. Zack Zavatsky VT, 8-0
197: Bryce Barnes, Army W, medical forfeit
285: Not Contested
Penn State's weight-by-weight summary:
UA - Note that UA indicates unattached collegiate wrestler
UANR - Note that UANR indicates a Non-Collegiate opponent and that result does NOT
count towards individual's win/loss record. * - Note that an (*) by a Penn State name indicates a PSU wrestler who is competing as a red-shirt.
Penn State's 125 agate:
#11 Jordan Conaway
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: vs. Brandon Olsen, Virginia Tech - W, 17-2 TF
Qtrs: vs. Michael Beck, Maryland - W, 15-0 TF (4:16)
Semis: vs. Sean Russell, Edinboro - W, 11-2 maj. dec.
Finals: vs. Dalton Macri, UANR - W, 10-3 dec.
3-0 overall, CHAMPION (4-0 incl. non-collegiate)
*George Carpenter
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: vs. Dalton Macri, UANR - L, 24-9 TF
Cns 2: vs. Edgar Garcia, Franklin and Marshall - W, 7-3
Cns 3: vs. Josh Patrick, Rutgers - LBF (2:30)
1-1 overall, DNP (2-1 w/ non-collegiate)
*Kenneth Yanovich
Rd. 1: vs. Ryan Elliott, West Virginia - W, 9-2 dec.
Rd. 2: vs. Darian, Cruz, Lehigh - L, 9-1 maj. dec.
Cns 2: vs. James Sulkowsky, Lock Haven - W, 11-1 maj. dec.
Cns 3: vs. Michael Beck, Maryland - W, 5-2 dec.
Cns 4: vs. Josh Patrick, Rutgers - L, 8-2 dec.
7th Place: vs. Brandon Olsen, Virginia Tech - L, 6-5 dec.
3-3 overall, 8th place
Penn State's 133 agate:
#5 Jimmy Gulibon
Qtrs: vs. Jackson Myers, Virginia Tech - W, 6-1 dec.
Semis: vs. Sean Fausz, North Carolina State - W, 8-2 dec.
Finals: vs. Anthony Giraldo, Rutgers - W, 3-1 dec.
3-0 overall, CHAMPION
Penn State's 141 agate:
Kade Moss
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: vs. Jason Bing, Franklin & Marshall - W, 9-4
Qtrs: vs. Matt Bryer, Lock Haven - W, 10-3
Semis: vs. Tyson Dippery, Rutgers - L, 9-7 dec.
Con Semis: vs. Paul Kirchner, Rider - WBF (6:22)
3rd Place: vs. Brock Zacherl, Clarion - L, 3-2 dec.
3-2 overall, 4th place
Michael Waters
Rd. 1: vs. Brandon Walker, Maryland - W, 20-3 TF (6:02)
Rd. 2: vs Matt Kelly, Army - W, 12-5
Qtrs: vs. Will Koll, UANR - W, 8-0 maj. dec.
Semis: vs. Dennis Gustafson, Virginia Tech - L, 6-3 dec.
Con Semis: vs. Brock Zacherl, Clarion - L, 5-2 dec.
5th Place: vs. Paul Kirchner, Rider - W, med. forf.
3-2 overall, 5th place (4-2 incl. non-collegiate)
Penn State's 149 agate:
#14 Zack Beitz
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: L, vs. John Van Schenkbrill, Rutgers - L, 5-9 dec.
0-1 overall, DNP
Luke Frey
Rd. 1: vs. Jake DeAngelo, North Carolina State - W, 7-2 dec.
Rd. 2: vs. Anthony Duncan, Maryland - W, 16-0 (TF; 2:16)
Qtrs: vs. Matt Marchetti, Army - W, 8-0 maj. dec.
Semis: vs. Richard Durso, Franklin & Marshall - L, 7-2 dec.
Con Semis: vs. Jon Van Schenkbrill, Rutgers - W, 14-1 maj. dec.
3rd Place: vs. Solomon Chishko, Virginia Tech - W, 6-4 dec.
5-1 overall, 3rd place
Penn State's 157 agate:
Cody Law
Rd. 1: vs. Tony Tolbert, Delaware Valley - W, md. Frf.
Rd. 2: vs. Jake Spengler, Virginia Tech - W, 8-3
Qtrs: vs. Toby Hague, Maryland - WBF (1:45)
Semis: vs. Kyle Simaz, UANR - W, 16-5 maj. dec.
Finals: vs. Jason Nolf, Penn State - L, 21-8 maj. dec.
3-1 overall, 2nd place (4-1 incl. non-collegiate)
*Jason Nolf
Rd. 1: vs. Matt Fisher, Sacred Heart - WBF (1:51)
Rd. 2: vs. Garrett Wolfinger, Penn College - WBF (4:00)
Qtrs: vs. Justus Weaver, Virginia Tech - WBF (4:30)
Semis: vs. Dylan Painton, Rutgers - W, 22-6 (TF; 5:45)
Finals: vs. Cody Law, Penn State - W, 21-8 maj. dec.
5-0 overall, CHAMPION
Penn State's 165 agate:
Garett Hammond
Rd. 1: vs. Will Sullivan, Lehigh - W, 17-2 TF (2:52)
Rd. 2: vs. Dillon Gavlock, Lock Haven - W, 14-6 maj. dec.
Qtrs: vs. Craig Eifert, UANR - L, 9-7 dec.
Cns 3: vs. Kyle Bova, Lock Haven - W, 15-2 maj. dec.
Cns 4: vs. Coleman Gracey, Army - L, 8-6 dec.
7th Place: vs. Nick Visicaro, Rutgers - W, med. frf.
4-1 overall, 7th place (4-2 incl. non-collegiate)
Caleb Livingston
Rd. 1: vs. Nestor Tafur, Franklin & Marshall - L, 17-5 maj. dec.
Cns. 2: vs. Mikey Simmons, Rutgers - LBF (1:25)
0-2 overall, DNP
*Jordan Pagano
Rd. 1: vs. Anthony Deprez, Binghamton - WBF (6:39)
Rd. 2: vs. Nick Visicaro, Rutgers - LBF (4:13)
Cns 2: vs. Patrick Davis, George Mason - W, 12-10 dec.
Cns 3: vs. Donovan Peek, Army - W, 4-2 dec.
Cns 4: vs. Coleman Gracey, Army - LBF (4:34)
3-2 overall, DNP
Penn State's 174 agate:
#3 Matt Brown
Rd. 1: vs. Thomas Grosso, Sacred Heart - W, 10-4 dec.
Rd. 2: vs. Patrick Jennings, Edinboro - W, 13-5 maj. dec.
Qtrs: vs. Brian Brill, UANR - WBF (4:18)
Semis: vs. Ty Walter, UANR - WBF (2:40)
Finals: vs. Bo Nickal, Penn State - W, 10-7 dec.
3-0 overall, CHAMPION (5-0 incl. non-collegiate)
Rex Lutz
Rd. 1: vs. Dan Frankenfield, Penn College - W, 11-1 maj. dec.
Rd. 2: vs. Ben Haas, Lehigh - W, 6-3 dec.
Qtrs: vs. Ty Walter, UANR - L, 7-3
Cns 3: vs. Jack Wedholm, Army - L, 13-5 maj. dec.
2-1 overall, DNP (2-2 w/ non-collegiate)
*Bo Nickal
Rd. 1: vs. Travis Moyer, Lock Haven - WBF (1:21)
Rd. 2: vs. Charlie Livingston, Kutztown - WBF (0:41)
Qtrs: vs. Drew Garcia, UANR - W, 15-0 (TF; 5:18)
Semis: vs. Brandon Womack, UANR - W, 8-4 dec.
Finals: vs. #3 Matt Brown, Penn State - L, 10-7 dec.
2-1 overall, 2nd place (4-1 incl. non-collegiate)
Penn State's 184 agate:
#19 Matt McCutcheon
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: vs. Zach Bruce, Pittsburgh - W, 18-2 (TF; 5:41)
Qtrs: vs. Ali Yidiz, Rider - WBF (3:55)
Semis: vs. Jack McKeever, Binghamton - W, 5-2 dec.
Finals: vs. Zack Zavatsky, Virginia Tech - W, 8-0 maj. dec.
4-0 overall, CHAMPION
James Frascella
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: vs. Scott Votino, Army - W, 11-3 maj. dec.
Qtrs: vs. Zack Zavatasky, Virginia Tech - L, 9-3 dec.
Cns 3: vs. Matt Doggett, Columbia - WBF (2:15)
Cns 4: vs. Zach Bruce, Pittsburgh - W, 15-0 (TF; 4:30)
Con Semis: vs. Jack McKeever, Binghamton -- W, 4-3 dec.
3rd Place: vs. Tony Pafumi, Rutgers - L, 7-3 dec.
4-2 overall, 4th place
*Nick Weldon
Rd. 1: vs. Paul Schoenber, UANR - W, 9-4 dec.
Rd. 2: vs. Samson Imonode, Army - L, 10-8 dec.
Cns 1: vs. Nick Cortopassi, UANR - W, 9-4 dec.
Cns 2: vs. Nicholas Shawley, Clarion - W, 15-2 maj. dec.
Cns 3: vs. Ali Yidiz, Rider - WBF (4:53)
Cns 4: vs. Nathan Dow, Army - L, 7-3 dec.
7th Place: vs. Zach Bruce, Pittsburgh -- W, 6-2
3-2 overall, 7th place (5-2 incl. non-collegiate)
Penn State's 197 agate:
#4 Morgan McIntosh
Rd. 1: vs. Tom Murray, Lehigh - WBF (4:48)
Rd. 2: vs. Edgar Ruano, Clarion - WBF (1:32)
Qtrs: vs. Steven Cangerie, Cornell - W, 9-1 maj. dec.
Semis: vs. David Reck, Virginia Tech - W, 13-2 maj. dec.
Finals: vs. Bryce Barnes, Army - Med Forfeit (does not count as loss)
4-0 overall, 2nd place
Josh Rogers
Rd. 1: vs. Nick Mabry, Navy - W, 5-0 dec.
Rd. 2: vs. Garrett Wesneski, Maryland - LBF (2:05)
Cns 2: vs. Derreck Maisonet, North Carolina St. - L, 9-7 dec.
1-2 overall, DNP
*Anthony Cassar
Rd. 1: vs. Caleb Wallace, Binghamton - W, 5-2 dec.
Rd. 2: vs. David Reck, Virginia Tech - L, 5-1 dec.
Cns 2: vs. Jake Temple, Seton Hill - W, 10-4 dec.
Cns 3: vs. Dustin Conti, Clarion - W, 6-1 dec.
Cns 4: vs. Garrett Wesneski, Maryland - W, 11-3 maj. dec.
Con Semis: vs. David Reck, Virginia Tech - L, 4-3 dec.
5th Place: vs. Steven Cangerie, Cornell - W, med frf.
5-2 overall, 5th place
Penn State's 285 agate:
#7 Jon Gingrich
Rd. 1: vs. Brandon Taylor, Virginia Tech - WBF (4:05)
1-0 overall, DNP (med forfeit out of tourney)
Jimmy Lawson
Rd. 1: vs. Cody Cooper, UANR - W, 19-4 TF (6:13)
Qtrs: vs. Mac Richards, UANR - W, 19-3 TF (5:00)
Semis: vs. Ben Aquilina, Middlesex - W, 10-2 maj. dec.
Finals: vs. Nick Nevills, Penn State - Not Contested
1-0 overall, T-2nd place (3-0 incl. non-collegiate)
*Nick Nevills
Rd. 1: vs. David Farr, Army - WBF (2:18)
Qtrs: vs. Mauro Correnti, UANR - WBF (1:51)
Semis: vs. Dan Garwood, Virginia Tech - W, 6-2 dec.
Finals: vs. Jimmy Lawson, Penn State - Not Contested
2-0 overall, T-2nd place (3-0 incl. non-collegiate)