June 13, 2018
HARRISBURG, Pa. - A pair of Penn State championship teams visited the Pennsylvania State Capitol Tuesday afternoon for a recognition celebrating a year of standout accomplishments.
Representing the NCAA national champion Penn State wrestling team, All-Americans Nick Nevills and two-time Hodge Trophy winner Zain Retherford joined head coach Cael Sanderson. Penn State men's basketball NIT Champions John Harrar and Lamar Stevens also joined head coach Patrick Chambers for the trip.
The day began in the Pennsylvania House as the group made its way to the floor on a busy day. Led by Pennsylvania's Rep. Mike Hanna, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff and Rep. Scott Conklin, the three read aloud an uncontested resolution congratulating both Nittany Lion squads on historic seasons.
Passing through the bustling halls of the national historic landmark, the Nittany Lions arrived at the Governor's Reception room next. Following a few photos, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf greeted the room to welcome the Nittany Lion champions.
"My favorite part of today was meeting the Governor and seeing how much detail goes into the Capitol building," Harrar said. "It's really neat seeing all the architecture from the early 1900s."
As Governor Wolf made his way throughout the room visiting with each Nittany Lion, it was a first time experience for all.
"It was amazing to meet the governor, it was my first time meeting him," Chambers said. "It was exciting for me and my players and again, exciting for Penn State basketball to be here on this stage to meet so many prominent people and so many great leaders who help us in what we're trying to accomplish in the world today."
Penn State closed out the afternoon in the Pennsylvania Senate with a lunch hosted by Sen. Jake Corman in his office. Corman welcomed the Nittany Lions before a steady stream of senators popped in and out of the room to greet the group.
"Today has been such an awesome day," Nevills said. "I'm hoping we get to continue to do this in the future with the success coach Cael and the coaching staff has helped us to and it would be nice to come back again."
Making its second consecutive trip to the Pennsylvania State Capitol for recognition, the Nittany Lions saw a total of 21 Penn State teams compete in either NCAA competition or a bowl game in 2017-18. The Nittany Lions recently closed out the 2017-18 Penn State athletic season with a standout showing at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Nittany Lion junior Isaiah Harris became the seventh individual national champion of the year with his first career title in the men's 800-meter run.