Dec. 6, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (4-0, 0-0 B1G), ranked No. 1 on InterMat's TPI, returned to action for the first time since Nov. 22 by dominating the 2015 Nittany Lion Open in Rec Hall. Head coach Cael Sanderson's squad crowned seven champions at the event, which featured over 300 wrestlers.
Senior Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), ranked No. 4 at 125, notched Penn State's first individual title of the day, posting a 15-5 major over Virginia's Joseph Martinez. Megaludis went 5-0 with three pins, a technical fall and a major on the day. Red-shirt freshman Jered Cortez (Carol Stream, Ill.) used a reversal in the tie-breaker to notch a thrilling 5-4 (tb) win over teammate Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.) in the finals at 133. Cortez took the crown with a 4-0 record, including a fall. Conaway, ranked No. 8 nationally, took second place with a 3-1 mark, including a tech and a major.
Sophomore Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 149, posted an 8-1 win over Rutgers' Ken Theobold in the finals at 149 to win the title. Retherford went 4-0 with a pin, a tech and a major (plus a win over a non-collegiate wrestler, which does not count as a match). Red-shirt freshman Jason Nolf (Yatesboro, Pa.), ranked No. 3 at 157, pinned Lehigh's Drew Longo at the 1:23 mark in the finals to the NLO. He went 5-0 with three pins, a tech and a major (plus a win over a non-collegiate, which does not count as a match).
Junior Geno Morelli (DuBois, Pa.) used riding time to post a 3-2 win over teammate Shakur Rasheed (Coram, N.Y.) in the finals at 165. Morelli went 5-0 with two tech falls to win the championship. Rasheed, ranked No. 20 nationally, went 4-1 with three majors and a tech to place second. Red-shirt freshman Bo Nickal (Allen, Texas), ranked No. 6 nationally, won the NLO title at 174 with a 4-3 victory over Ohio State's Myles Martin in the finals. Nickal went 5-0 with three pins and a tech fall. Senior Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.), ranked No. 1 at 197, won the title with a strong 15-6 major over Army's Rocco Caywood. McIntosh went 3-0 with two techs and a major (plus two more wins over non-collegiate wrestlers that do not count as matches).
Red-shirt freshman Kenny Yanovich (Effort, Pa.) went 4-2 with a pin, a tech and a major to place fifth at 125. Sophomore Kade Moss (South Jordan, Utah), went 6-1 with four pins and a tech to tie for fifth at 141. True freshman Gary Dinmore (Skillman, N.J.) went 4-2 with a tech and a major to place eighth at 141. Sophomore Cody Law (Windber, Pa.) went 4-2 with two techs and a major to finish fifth at 165. Junior Brian Brill (Lock Haven, Pa.) went 4-2 with a pin and two majors to take seventh at 174. True freshman Kellan Stout (Pittsburgh, Pa.) went 3-2 with a pin (plus a win over a non-collegiate) to take fourth at 184. Junior Zack Beitz (Mifflintown, Pa.) went 6-1 with a pin and two majors to take third at 157 and sophomore Garett Hammond (Chambersburg, Pa.) went 5-1 with a pin, a tech and two majors, to finish third at 165.
Junior All-American Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.), ranked No. 6 nationally, went 3-0 with two technical falls at 141. The Lion did not compete in the semifinals, taking a medical forfeit (not a loss on his record). He finished tied for fifth. Sophomore Matt McCutcheon (Apollo, Pa.), ranked No. 13 at 184, went 2-1 with a pin and a tech fall at 184. He suffered an upset sudden victory loss in round three and did not compete in consolation action. True freshman Patrick Higgins (Monroeville, N.J.) went 2-2 with a pin at 125.
True freshman Triston Law (Windber, Pa.) picked up a win at 141 before bowing out of the event. George Carpenter (Chapel Hill, N.C.) competed at 133, Francisco Bisono (Hauppauge, N.J.) competed at 165, Dylan Dailey (Danville, Pa.) competed at 184, Caleb Livingston (Drexel Hill, Pa.) competed at 285 and Dominic Giannangeli (Murrysville, Pa.) competed at 141 for Penn State as well. Penn State sent 26 wrestlers into action at the event and all were attached except Bisono, Cortez, Dinmore, Giannangeli, Higgins, Law and Stout, who all wrestled unattached.
Penn State will return to action next Sunday when it hosts Wisconsin in the Big Ten opener for the team. The dual is the first of this year's BJC Duals and begins at 1 p.m. in the near-16,000 seat venue. With season tickets once again sold out in advance of the campaign beginning, Penn State is giving fans more opportunities than ever to see the Nittany Lions compete, including Penn State's next home dual meet on Dec. 13 vs. Wisconsin. Fans may purchase singles to Penn State's two BJC Duals (Wisconsin on 12/13 and Ohio State on 2/5) online at www.GoPSUsports.com/accountmanager or by calling 1-800-NITTANY.
BJC Dual public tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for youth (12-and-under). Group tickets for the BJC Duals are now available as well, allowing fans to purchase 20 or more tickets at only $8 per ticket. Group tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-NITTANY. With the five Rec Hall duals already at seated capacity, a limited number of Standing Room Only tickets (SROs) can be purchased for each of those five duals as well. Rec Hall SROs may only be purchased by calling 1-800-NITTANY and are $15 per person.
Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. The 2015-16 Penn State wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here.
2015 Nittany Lion Open ââ'¬" Championship Finals Sunday, December 6, 2015 ââ'¬" Rec Hall ââ'¬" University Park, Pa.
WEIGHT BY WEIGHT:
125:
#4 Nico Megaludis, Murrysville, Pa. ââ'¬" 1st
Rd. 1: Breandon Coughlin, Maryland ââ'¬" W, 19-4 TF (4:07)
Rd. 2: Keanan Bottorf, Lock Haven ââ'¬" WBF (5:24)
Qtrs: Josh Kramer, Arizona State ââ'¬" WBF (1:38)
Semis: Devin Brown, West Virginia ââ'¬" WBF (2:02)
Finals: Joseph Martinez, Virginia ââ'¬" W, 15-5 MD
Kenny Yanovich, Effort, Pa. ââ'¬" 5th
Rd. 1: Peter Robinson, Maryland ââ'¬" W, 11-2 MD
Rd. 2: Brandon Roseborough, Army ââ'¬" W, 17-0 TF (1:57)
Qtrs: Josh Patrick, Rutgers ââ'¬" W, 7-4
Semis: Joseph Martinez, Virginia ââ'¬" L, 2-9
Cn Semi: Josh Kramer, Arizona State ââ'¬" L, 3-5
5th Place: Devin Brown, West Virginia ââ'¬" WBF (2:34)
Patrick Higgins, Monroeville, N.J. ââ'¬" UA
Rd. 1: Joseph Martinez, Virginia ââ'¬" L, 1-13 MD
Cn 1: bye
Cn 2: Arick Shankles, Edinboro ââ'¬" WBF (2:35)
Cn 3: Frank Satriale, Bucknell ââ'¬" W, 2-1
Cn 4: Josh Patrick, Rutgers ââ'¬" L, 2-18 TF
133:
#8 Jordan Conaway, Abbottstown, Pa. ââ'¬" 2nd
Rd. 1: Bye
Rd. 2: Ben Bliss, Bucknell ââ'¬" W, 17-2 TF (4:28)
Qtrs: Danny Martoccio, Franklin & Marshall ââ'¬" W, 15-1 MD
Semis: Caleb Richardson, Penn ââ'¬" W, 6-1
Finals: Jered Cortez, Penn State ââ'¬" L, 4-5 (tb)
George Carpenter, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Rd. 1: Vincent Vespa, Army ââ'¬" L, 0-4
Cn 1: Peter Lipari, Rutgers ââ'¬" L, 0-11 MD
Jered Cortez, Carol Stream, Ill. ââ'¬" UA ââ'¬" 1st
Rd. 1: Bye
Rd. 2: Nick Ottaviano, Rutgers ââ'¬" WBF (0:51)
Qtrs: Scott Parker, Lehigh ââ'¬" W, 3-1
Semis: Geoff Alexander, Maryland ââ'¬" W, med. forfeit
Finals: #8 Jordan Conaway, Penn State ââ'¬" W, 5-4 (tb)
141:
#6 Jimmy Gulibon, Latrobe, Pa. ââ'¬" T-5th
Rd. 1: Bye
Rd. 2: Marc Mastropietro, Penn ââ'¬" W, 17-2 TF
Rd. 3: Matt Kelly, Army ââ'¬" W, 16-1 TF (4:55)
Qtrs: Sam Krivus, Virginia ââ'¬" W, 5-3
Semis: Medical Forfeit (not a loss)
Kade Moss, South Jordan, Utah ââ'¬" T-5th
Rd. 1: Caleb Mariakas, West Virginia ââ'¬" W, 18-2 TF (4:21)
Rd. 2: Tim Rooney, Kent State ââ'¬" WBF (1:09)
Rd. 3: Matt Kolodzik, Princeton ââ'¬" L, 8-11
Cn 2: William Koll, Cornell ââ'¬" WBF (2:06)
Cn 3: Nick Casella, Maryland ââ'¬" WBF (4:29)
Cn 4: Connor Prince, Navy ââ'¬" WBF (2:00)
Cn Qtr: Sam Krivus, Virginia ââ'¬" W, 3-2 TB
Gary Dinmore, Skillman, N.J. ââ'¬" UA ââ'¬" 8th
Rd. 1: Eric Friedman, Penn ââ'¬" W, 16-1 TF (5:47)
Rd. 2: Kyle Greene, Bucknell ââ'¬" W, 12-2 MD
Rd. 3: Jake Newhouse, Kent State -- W, 7-0
Qtrs: Jared Prince, Navy ââ'¬" LBF (4:49)
Cn 4: Billy Rappo, Maryland ââ'¬" W, 3-2
Cn Qtr: #19 Richard Durso, Franklin & Marshall ââ'¬" L, 4-6
Dominic Giannangeli, Murrysville, Pa. ââ'¬" UA
Rd. 1: Bye
Rd. 2: Anthony Tutolo, Kent State ââ'¬" L, 3-7
Cn 2: William Koll, Cornell ââ'¬" L, 3-18 TF (7:00)
Triston Law, Windber, Pa. ââ'¬" UA
Rd. 1: Brendan Ryan, Virginia Tech ââ'¬" W, 7-2
Rd. 2: Nick Casella, Maryland ââ'¬" L, 1-6
Cn 2: Billy Rappo, Maryland ââ'¬" LBF (1:01)
149:
#1 Zain Retherford, Benton, Pa. ââ'¬" 1st
Rd. 1: Bye
Rd. 2: Matt Russo, NON-COLLEGIATE ââ'¬" WBF (4:09) result does not count
Rd. 3: Louis Colonna, West Virginia ââ'¬" WBF (1:21)
Qtrs: Josh Maruca, Arizona State ââ'¬" W, 15-0 (7:00)
Semis: Troy Heilmann, North Carolina ââ'¬" W, 14-4 MD
Finals: Ken Theobold, Rutgers ââ'¬" W, 8-1
157:
#3 Jason Nolf, Yatesboro, Pa. ââ'¬" 1st
Rd. 1: Brady Mason, Pitt ââ'¬" WBF (3:10)
Rd. 2: Zaal Zafari, Edinboro ââ'¬" WBF (1:36)
Rd. 3: Dan Ritz, NON-COLLEGIATE ââ'¬" WBF (1:50)
Qtrs: Zach Elvin, Navy ââ'¬" W, 23-8 TF (6:33)
Semis: Casey Sparkman, Kent State ââ'¬" W, 27-14 MD
Finals: Drew Longo, Lehigh ââ'¬" WBF (1:23)
Zack Beitz, Mifflintown, Pa. ââ'¬" 3rd
Rd. 1: Bye
Rd. 2: Jake Kaminksy, Hofstra ââ'¬" W, 14-3 MD
Rd. 3: Nate Russell, Pitt ââ'¬" WBF (2:47)
Qtrs: Maazia Bethea, Penn ââ'¬" W, 12-5
Semis: Drew Longo, Lehigh ââ'¬" L, 10-15
Cn Qtr: Taylor Simaz, Cornell ââ'¬" W, 12-2 MD
Cn Semi: Cole Walter, Lehigh ââ'¬" W, 10-5
3rd: Maaziah Bethea, Penn ââ'¬" W, 8-4
165:
#20 Shakur Rasheed, Coram, N.Y. ââ'¬" 2nd
Rd. 1: Sam Williams, Army ââ'¬" W, 17-0 TF
Rd. 2: Isaac Bast, Kent State ââ'¬" W, 14-2 MD
Qtrs: Derek Evanovich, Maryland ââ'¬" W, 14-3 MD
Semis: Cody Law, Penn State ââ'¬" W, 8-0 MD
Finals: Geno Morelli, Penn State ââ'¬" L, 2-3
Garett Hammond, Chambersburg, Pa.
Rd. 1: Mikey Simmons, Rutgers ââ'¬" W, 17-2 TF
Rd. 2: Max Elling, Columbia ââ'¬" W, 17-5 MD
Qtrs: Jared Walker, Kent State ââ'¬" WBF (0:22)
Semis: Geno Morelli, Penn State ââ'¬" L, 7-12
Cn Semi: Jordan Pagano, Rutgers ââ'¬" W, 14-3 MD
3rd: Dillon Artigliene, Cornell -- W, 8-4
Cody Law, Windber, Pa. ââ'¬" 5th
Rd. 1: Demetri Probst, Lock Haven ââ'¬" W, 24-7 TF
Rd. 2: Chase Gallick, Lehigh ââ'¬" W, 21-6 TF (5:24)
Qtrs: Jordan Pagano, Rutgers ââ'¬" W, 9-2
Semis: #20 Shakur Rasheed, Penn State ââ'¬" L, 0-8 MD
Cn Semi: Dillon Artigliere, Cornell ââ'¬" LBF (0:51)
5th: Jordan Pagano, Rutgers, W, 10-2 MD
Geno Morelli, DuBois, Pa. ââ'¬" 1st
Rd. 1: Gordon Bolig, Franklin & Marshall ââ'¬" W, 18-2 TF
Rd. 2: Paul Dunn, Lehigh ââ'¬" W, 18-1 TF (3:00)
Qtrs: Dillon Artigliere, Cornell ââ'¬" W, 4-1
Semis: Garett Hammond, Penn State ââ'¬" W, 12-7
Finals: #20 Shakur Rasheed, Penn State ââ'¬" W, 3-2
Francisco Bisono, Hauppauge, N.J. ââ'¬" UA
Rd. 1: Jared Walker, Kent State ââ'¬" L, 4-7
Cn 1: Dakota Greene, Drexel ââ'¬" L, 5-8
174:
#6 Bo Nickal, Allen, Texas ââ'¬" 1st
Rd. 1: Graham Ratermann, Army ââ'¬" WBF (1:16)
Rd. 2: Nick Stephani, Bucknell ââ'¬" W, 23-8 (TF; 5:09)
Qtrs: Dominic Prezzia, Ohio State ââ'¬" WBF (1:39)
Semis: Anthony Pafumi, Rutgers ââ'¬" WBF (1:13)
Finals: Myles Martin, Ohio State ââ'¬" W, 4-3
Brian Brill, Lock Haven, Pa. ââ'¬" 7th
Rd. 1: Dom Scalise, Virginia ââ'¬" W, 17-4 MD
Rd. 2: Dan McDevitt, Penn ââ'¬" W, 13-4 MD
Qtrs: Myles Martin, Ohio State ââ'¬" L, 6-7
Cn 4: Alex Benoit, Navy ââ'¬" WBF (3:18)
Cn Qtr: Dylan Wisman, Missouri ââ'¬" L, 3-14 MD
7th Place: Ben Harvey, Army ââ'¬" W, 10-7
184:
#13 Matt McCutcheon, Apollo, Pa.
Rd. 1: Connor Route, Penn College ââ'¬" WBF (0:52)
Rd. 2: Corey Kerkesner, Franklin & Marshall ââ'¬" W, 16-0 (TF; 3:19)
Qtrs: Michael Macchiavello, North Carolina State ââ'¬" L, 4-6 (sv)
Dylan Dailey, Danville, Pa.
Rd. 1: Matt Valenti, NON-COLLEGIATE ââ'¬" W, 15-0 TF (result does not count)
Rd. 2: Alexander Deciantis, Drexel ââ'¬" L, 4-6
Cn 2: Paul Schoenberg, NON-COLLEGIATE ââ'¬" L, default (result does not count)
Kellan Stout, Pittsburgh, Pa. ââ'¬" UA ââ'¬" 4th
Rd. 1: Josh Baker, NON-COLLEGIATE ââ'¬" WBF (0:58)
Rd. 2: Jon Schmisstauter, Army ââ'¬" WBF (0:27)
Qtrs: Anthony Messner, Rutgers ââ'¬" W, 8-2
Semis: #10 Lorenzo Thomas, Penn ââ'¬" L, 2-10 MD
Cn Semi: Tyler Askey, Virginia ââ'¬" W, 5-0
3rd: Joe Heybob, Penn ââ'¬" L, 5-8
197:
#1 Morgan McIntosh, Santa Ana, Calif. ââ'¬" 1st
Rd. 1: Ben Honis, NON-COLLEGIATE ââ'¬" W, 12-4 MD
Rd. 2: Jacob Lucas, NON-COLLEGIATE ââ'¬" WBF (2:27)
Qtrs: Reynold Maines, Clarion ââ'¬" W, 19-1 TF (6:55)
Semis: Owen Scott, Cornell ââ'¬" W, 18-2 TF (4:48)
Finals: Rocco Caywood, Army ââ'¬" W, 15-6 MD
285:
Caleb Livingston, Drexel Hill, Pa.
Rd. 1: Doug Vollaro, Lehigh ââ'¬" L, 1-10 MD
Cn 1: Austin Myers, West Virginia ââ'¬" L, 3-6
NON-COLLEGIATE ââ'¬" Unattached and a non-collegiate wrestler, does NOT count as a win or loss
UA ââ'¬" Unattached for Penn State
# Ranking listed is InterMat as of 12/1/15