Finally, a good weekend for Penn State athletics.
With the Big Ten Basketball Tournaments done and over with, there is no basketball to talk about, which is good. My NCAA brackets have been busted by the likes of Georgetown and Pittsburgh, so let’s leave that discussion for another day.
The highlight of the PSU sports weekend was Phil Davis claiming a national championship at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in St.
Louis. Davis finally got over the hump, which was good to see. In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll take a look at Davis’ title run, talk a little about Pro Day, look at a future Nittany Lion and have a non-rev roundup.
That’s a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get started.
Phil Davis won a national championship in St. Louis over the weekend.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Davis Claims Title
One of the most popular Penn State wrestlers of all-time, Phil Davis, finally took home the gold at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, defeating Central Michigan’s Wynn Michalak, 7-2, Saturday night at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Davis finishes his Penn State career as a four-time All-American and a one-time national champion.
“It means a lot. I really don’t know yet. It all happened so fast,” Davis said.
Davis was one of two finalists for the Nittany Lions. Sophomore 149-pounder Bubba Jenkins fell to Iowa No. 1 seed Brent Metcalf of Iowa, 14-8. Two other Nittany Lions earned All-America status, as well. Sophomore 157-pounder Dan Vallimont placed third. Senior 125-pounder Mark McKnight placed fourth.
Davis and Jenkins spearheaded a phenomenal tournament for the Nittany Lions who finished in third place in the team race. Iowa was first with 117.5 points, Ohio State second with 79 and Penn State third with 75. Nebraska was a close fourth with 74 points.
Penn State crowned four All-Americans for the first time since 2003.
Davis is Penn State’s fourth four-time All-American and the first since Sanshiro Abe accomplished the feat in 1996. He is the school’s 21st national champion.
Davis improved his season record to 26-1 to give him a career mark of 116-20 (.853). He finished his career with a 17-5 all-time record in the NCAA tournament. He finished seventh, second and fifth in his last three tournaments.
Davis never won a District 3 title, nor did he claim a PIAA title. Yet Sunderland saw something in him. He and his staff developed a champion.
“Obviously it was a team effort with all the staff and his work ethic he put into it to accomplish a four-time All-American and national champion,” Penn State coach Troy Sunderland said.
Is Justin King going to be a Pittsburgh Steeler?
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Pro Day
Penn State held its annual pro day last week, which allows those Penn State players who are eligible for the NFL Draft to show off their skills in front of NFL scouts.
There were a couple of big surprises. A. Austin Scott was there. B.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin was there, and the Steelers may have an interest in PSU cornerback Justin King.
Let’s address Scott first.
Scott was kicked off the team for violating an unspecified team rule last season. He is also facing an upcoming trial for rape. Why was he invited to pro day? It’s anyone’s guess. Just another sign that JoePa is losing his grip on the program. Scott should not have been there, plain and simple.
Yes, people deserve a second chance. But Scott is on his fourth or fifth chance by now.
Then, there’s King.
If there is a player in the draft who has been hyped more than King, I’d like to know who he is. Mel Kiper, the NFL Draft guru, has been touting King as first-round pick.
The Steelers, of course, are looking for a shutdown corner and King apparently caught the eye of Tomlin. The two met in what King called a “good meeting.”
What is Tomlin thinking?
King isn’t worthy of a first, second or even third round pick. And speaking as a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, I don’t want King. Even as a free agent. Keep this guy as far away from the black and gold as possible.
As a journalist, I’ve covered King for three seasons. He was great his freshman year, but regressed every season since. He’s afraid of contact and his coverage skills are sub-par, and that’s being kind.
He was exposed against Buffalo last season and Big Ten schools picked up on that game film. King won’t make it in the NFL. Hopefully, for Steelers fans, someone sends Tomlin the game film from PSU-Indiana.
Future Lion: DeOn’tae Pannell
While offensive linemen do not get the publicity of their skill position counterparts, Pannell made a name for himself as one of the top run blockers in Michigan in 2007.
Versatility is what makes the 6-foot-4, 290-pound Pannell such an intriguing prospect. He played center, guard and tackle for the Groves as a senior. He was also a standout on the defensive line for Brendan Flaherty’s 1-8 football team. He recorded eight sacks and 17 tackles for loss as a defensive tackle. He was named to the Detroit Free Press All-North first team as an offensive lineman following the season.
Although he could theoretically play any position up front, he is penciled in to begin his career at tackle for the Nittany Lions. He committed to Penn State on Aug. 10, 2007.
He was recruited for the Nittany Lions by Ron Vanderlinden. Pannell took his official visit to Penn State on the weekend of Dec. 7, 2007.
Non-rev roundup: Softball
Two years ago, softball head coach Robin Petrini had a problem. No matter who she put in the cleanup spot and no matter how hot they were hitting at the time, they invariably cooled off.
“It was the kiss of the death,” says Petrini.
That was, until she inserted Danielle Kinley into that 4-spot; only a freshman at the time, the outfielder took the challenge and ran with it, finishing the year first on the team in batting average (.354) and RBI (11) in Big Ten play.
Now a junior, Kinley is again providing a bright spot for Penn State’s offense, something Petrini is hoping to build on.
“Danielle is a tremendous competitor and is one of the players we count on to hit people in,” says Petrini. “She thrives on getting into those situations and being in a ‘come through’ position. She gets on in front of people so she can score and also hits people in. She has tremendous confidence at the plate.”
Petrini is hoping that confidence wears off on Kinley’s teammates. The junior Carlsbad, Calif. native is the only player hitting over .300 this year. Thanks to some superior defense and pitching, the Lions have still managed to go 17-8 to start off the 2008 spring campaign.
Recently, Penn State took home the Under Armour Invitational Championship after a thrilling, 3-2 come-from-behind win in the final game over Boston University on March 16.
In that game the Lions scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh and final frame to claim the title. With two players on base, senior leader Ashley Esparza hit a bloop single to right field to drive in two runs. Jackie Hill drove in the winning run to give Penn State the win.
Ironically, it is Hill and Esparza’s mound presence that has truly defined their worth to the team. Hill leads the Lions with an impressive 0.94 ERA and a 9-3 mark. Esparza, meanwhile, tops the team in strikeouts with 97 and is close behind Hill with a 1.00 ERA. Both rank in the conference’s top 5 in ERA.
Petrini calls Esparza a “player to be reckoned with.” The senior has been an impact player from the first time she stepped foot on Penn State’s home field. Hill, on the other hand, has battled injuries and red-shirted last year due to a broken hand. Petrini says the pitcher/outfielder has responded in force this season.
“I could not be more pleased with the way she’s come out this year and recovered from her broken hand,” says Petrini. “She will do whatever we ask her. Jackie, you have to pitch. ‘Ok.’ Jackie you are hitting in this order. ‘Ok.’ Jackie, you are playing second. ‘Ok.’ She just works hard and is a consummate team player. And she is a competitor in her own right on the mound.”
Petrini will finally get the chance to show off her team’s talent to a home crowd after more than two dozen road games to open the season.
The Lions hosted a mid-week contest against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Wednesday, but hosts Illinois and Iowa in their first home weekend April 4-6. For now, Petrini says her team must stay focused on the basics.
“We need to continue to work on things and they’re aware of it. I think that we’re getting on track at this point in the season. Our pitching and defense has been very solid. We’re just looking for the ability to generate more runs.”
In addition to writing for gantnews.com, Chris Morelli is the editor of Blue White Illustrated, a sports publication devoted to Penn State sports. He is also a regular on “Front and Center,” which airs on ESPN Radio in State College and Altoona. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com.