Jack Decker has established himself as a team leader for the Nittany Lions and last year, the New Jersey native stepped up once again, seeing action in dual meets at both 184 and 197. Decker, who began his career as a 149 pounder, has become a key member of Penn State[apos]s upper-middle weight corps. Decker will once again be counted on to challenge for a starting spot and to add his extensive veteran experience to the mix as one of Penn State[apos]s most seasoned leaders.
Lion Career:
2007-08: Went 1-2 at wrestle-offs...went 1-1 at the ESU Open on 11/17...solid 4-2 showing at 2007 Nittany Lion Open, lost to teammate #18 Phil Bomberger to end tournament run....went 5-0 with two pins to claim the crown at the 2007 Wilkes Open on 12/28...went 5-1 with a major to claim third at the Hitchcock Open on 1/4....lost to #3 Mike Pucillo of Ohio State in dual on 1/25....moved up a weight to 197 on 1/27 and lost close 4-0 decision to Indiana[apos]s Joe Fagiano....lost tough 3-1 decision to Lock Haven[apos]s Jeramie Cook in Penn State[apos]s season finale.
2006-07: Decker was 2-0 at the ESU Open before a cut requiring stitches over his right eye forced him to take two medical forfeits and bow out of the tourney...went 4-2 at Mat-Town on 11/25 to place fifth...went 4-1 at Wilkes Open with three pins and a technical fall, winning the tourney[apos]s Most Falls Award and placing third...went 4-0 in matches decided by pins.
2005-06: Decker red-shirted in 2005-06...posted 18-8 record wrestling unattached...5-0 in pins...placed third at the Millersville Invitational....third at Wilkes...fifth at ESU Open.
2004-05: Decker took over the starting job at 149 pounds in January after senior co-captain James Woodall (ranked #12 at the time) suffered a torn ACL in the finals at the Midlands Championships...a true-freshman, Decker went on to wrestle in Penn State[apos]s last 17 dual meets on the year posting a 19-21 mark overall...He lost in sudden victory overtime (7-5) in his first career dual meet appearance, but rebounded to post his first career dual meet win two days later with a fall at 2:54 over West Virginia[apos]s Ted Adams...he placed third in the Central Jersey Open and the Buffalo Open...lost to 12 ranked opponents on the year (six in the top 10), all coming in his last 19 matches...got a big 11-2 major decision win over Northwestern[apos]s Jimmy Kim, part of a five-match run that brought Penn State from a 13-3 deficit on the road to a 24-13 win.
Big Ten Championships (1-3; 8th): In his first Big Ten Tournament appearance, he fell by technical fall (21-4) to #1 seed Eric Tannenbaum in the first round but rebounded with a 5-2 win over Steven Wolery in the consolation bracket...lost his following match and fell into the seventh place bout where he was beaten by #3 seed Doug Withstandley and finished eighth.
High School/Personal: The 2004 New Jersey State High School runner-up at 140 pounds, Decker was ranked No. 2 in the final New Jersey[apos]s Best Top 12 Individual Rankings at 140...two-time state place winner (he was sixth at 125 in 2003)...posted a 35-3 record in his senior season to improve his career record to 117-22...Seton Hall Prep[apos]s all-time career wins leader and the first Pirate to post 100 career wins...lettered four years, was a team captain his senior season and helped lead his team to three runner-up finishes in the Parochial League A North...named Seton Hall[apos]s Athlete of the Year in 2004. Jack DECKER
CAREER STATISTICS
| Year | Overall | Duals (B10) | Tourn. (B10/NCAA) | Falls | TF | MD | Pts. |
| 2004-05 | 20-24 | 4-13 (2-6) | 16-11 (1-3/0-0) | 3-1 | 1-2 | 4-5 | 20 |
| 2005-06 | Red-Shirt Season | ||||||
| 2006-07 | 10-6 | 2-3 (0-0) | 10-6 (0-0/0-0) | 4-0 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0 |
| Career | 30-30 | 6-16 (2-6) | 26-17 (1-3/0-0) | 7-1 | 2-2 | 5-5 | 20 |