Senior\’s major at 184 sparks Lions to win
BINGHAMTON, N.Y – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, ranked No. 19 in the NWCA Coaches Poll, won the battle of bonus points and got a key win from senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio) at 184 to down Rutgers 18-17 in its opening match-up in the 2009 Sprawl and Brawl Duals in Binghamton, N.Y. Each team won five bouts, but Erwin\’s debut at 184 via major decision was the deciding factor for Penn State.
Penn State\’s three All-Americans, Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah) and Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) each won as did junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.). It was Erwin\’s major decision in his season debut at 184 that helped PSU win the bonus point battle 3-2. Penn State was the dominant offensive team, winning the takedown battle 17-12.
Penn State bolted out to a 14-7 lead after six bouts, getting four of its five wins in that span. Molinaro, ranked No. 8 at 149, got his third major in as many outings and Sanderson, ranked No. 4 at 157, got a major at 157. But after Rutgers got a major if its own at 174, Erwin stepped in at 184 and posted a critical 11-2 major over RU\’s Jesse Boyden. The other solid performance for Penn State, albeit in a loss, was sophomore Clay Steadman (McKean, Pa.), who lost a 2-1 (TB) decision to No. 16 Lamar Brown at 197.
Penn State is now 2-1 on the year while Rutgers falls to 1-1. Penn State will take the mat immediately, facing Harvard at 11:30 a.m. in its next dual at the event. Penn State\’s next home dual is set for Jan. 22 when it hosts Illinois at 7 p.m. in Rec Hall. Single event tickets will cost $8 for adults and $6 for youth. Group sales are available once again for groups of 15 people or more. Group prices are $5 in advance and $6 walk-up. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 1.800.NITTANY between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. All Penn State events will once again air live on Forever Broadcasting\’s WRSC?(1390 AM) or 3WZ (95.3 FM) and on www.GoPSUsports.com as well. The 2009-10 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
#19 Penn State 18, Rutgers 17
Binghamton, N.Y. – Sprawl and Brawl Duals — November 22, 2009
125: #6 Brad Pataky PSU dec. Vincent Dellefave RU, 6-3 3-0
133: Billy Ashnault RU dec. Bryan Pearsall PSU, 7-3 3-3
141: Trevor Melde RU maj. dec. Adam Lynch PSU, 14-5 3-7
149: #8 Frank Molinaro PSU maj. dec. David Greenwald RU, 11-3 7-7
157: #4 Cyler Sanderson PSU maj. dec. Braden Turner RU, 18-8 11-7
165: #9 Dan Vallimont PSU dec. Gregory Zanetti RU, 5-3 14-7
174: Daniel Zanetti RU maj. dec. Michael Lorenzo PSU, 15-5 14-11
184: David Erwin PSU maj. dec. Jesse Boyden RU, 11-2 18-11
197: #16 Lamar Brown RU dec. (TB) Clay Steadman PSU, 2-1 (TB) 18-14
285: #10 D.J. Russo RU dec. #19 Cameron Wade PSU, 6-0 18-17
Attendance: 500
Records: Penn State 2-1, Rutgers 1-1
Up Next for Penn State: vs. Harvard today at 11:30 a.m.
BOUT-BY-BOUT:
125: Penn State junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.), ranked No. 6 nationally at 125, took on Rutgers\’ Vinnie Dellefave. Pataky used a quick high double to take Dellefave down for a 2-0 lead less than a minute into the bout. The Lion junior then built up a 1:18 time edge before cutting the Knight loose. Pataky then countered a Dellefave shot to gain control of his shoulders. But Dellefave managed to work his way loose and Pataky led 2-1 after the opening period. Dellefave chose down to begin the second period but could not break free of Pataky\’s control until the Lion cut him loose at the 1:11 mark (building up a 2:09 riding time edge). Pataky kept up the offensive pressure and Dellefave continued to back way, but no more scoring took place. Tied 2-2 with 2:09 in riding time, Pataky chose down to begin the final period. He quickly escaped to a 3-2 lead and immediately turned into the Rutgers grappler, gaining control of his left leg. But Dellefave forced a stalemate at the 1:33 mark. Pataky used a double leg he turned into a second takedown on the edge of the mat. Leading 5-2 with :54 left and a secured bonus point, Pataky worked Dellefave from the top position until Dellefave escaped with just :21 left. The 6-3 decision for Pataky gave Penn State an early 3-0 lead.
133: Penn State sent Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) to the mat at 133 to face RU\’s Bill Ashnault. Pearsall got in on Ashnault\’s right thigh and worked his way around to a solid takedown and a 2-0 lead with 2:08 left in the opening period. Ashnault escaped after a short scramble and Pearsall led 2-1 with 1:50 left. Ashnault looked for his own takedown, getting control of Pearsall\’s right ankle. The Lion freshman forced a scramble and nearly wound out the clock, but Ashnault got the takedown call on the edge of the mat to lead 3-2 at the buzzer. Ashnault chose top to begin the second period. The Lion freshman could not break free of a strong Ashnault ride as the Knight sophomore nearly turned Pearsall for back points. Pearsall did not give up any near fall points but could not escape. Trailing by one and giving up nearly 2:00 in time, Pearsall chose down to start the third period. Ashnault picked up a three-point near fall but the move was halted with an illegal hold on the Knight\’s part and Ashnault led 6-3 with a secured riding time point with just over 1:00 left in the bout. The Scarlet Knight then rode Pearsall out once more and walked away with a 7-3 win. The decision tied the team score at 3-3.
141: Nittany Lion Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) met Rutgers sophomore Trevor Melde at 141. Lynch looked for an early shoulder toss, but Melde countered quickly to lead 2-1 at the 2:30 mark. Melde added another quick takedown and led 4-2 after cutting Lynch loose at the 1:8 mark. Lynch got in on a head inside single, but Melde once again countered, worked around the Lion and upped his lead to 6-2 with another takedown. Lynch escaped with :55 left to cut the lead to 6-3. Leading 6-3, Melde chose down to begin the second period and quickly escaped to a 7-3 lead. He then shot low on Lynch\’s right ankle and worked his way to another takedown and a 9-3 lead with 1:38 left in the period. Lynch escaped to a 9-4 deficit. Melde countered a Lynch shot and used a front headlock to notch another takedown and up his lead to 11-4 with :30 left. A Melde ride out gave the Scarlet Knight an 11-4 lead with 1:37 in riding time after two periods. Lynch chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to an a11-5 deficit. Lynch shot high on Melde, nearly getting a takedown. But Melde forced a stalemate with 1:05 left in the bout. Melde then picked up a critical takedown with :45 left, upping his lead to 13-5 and securing the bonus point as well. Melde rode Lynch out and notched the 14-5 major decision, giving RU a 7-3 lead.
149: All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), carrying a No. 8 ranking at his new weight, faced off with David Greenwald of Rutgers at 149. Molinaro took the first shot, forcing a scramble in the center of the mat. But Greenwald forced a stalemate at the 2:16 mark to keep things scoreless early. But Molinaro was relentless, using a swift double leg to get a takedown and lead 2-0 at the 2:01 mark. Molinaro then put together a very strong ride, building up a solid riding time edge while looking for an opening to turn the Knight to his back. Molinaro dominated Greenwald for the rest of the period, using the strong ride out to lead 2-0 with 2:00 in riding time after the opening three minutes. Greenwald chose down to start the second period. Molinaro rode him for just :05 before cutting him loose and turning into the Knight\’s face, looking for more offense. Molinaro quickly stepped around Greenwald for another takedown and a 4-2 lead after cutting him loose at the 0:58 mark. Molinaro forced Greenwald into a quick stall, drove himself through his waste for a quick takedown and two near fall points to take a commanding 8-2 lead (with 2:59 in riding time) into the third period. Molinaro chose down to start the third period and relentlessly turned the decision into a two-point reversal and a 10-2 lead. Molinaro cut him loose with 1:40 left, upping his lead to 10-3 but securing the riding time point. Molinaro kept up the offensive pressure and continued to force Greenwald to the edge of the mat. The riding time point gave Molinaro an 11-3 major, tying the bout at 7-7.
157: Senior Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah), ranked No. 4 at 157 for Penn State, met RU\’s Braden Turner. Turner got the first takedown of the bout, to take a surprising 2-0 lead early. Sanderson quickly escaped and turned a high double leg into a 3-2 lead with 1:44 left in the opening period. Sanderson cut Turner loose and quickly scored again on another high double to take a 5-4 lead (cutting Turner again) with just over 1:00 left. Sanderson added a third takedown with :30 left in the period and then began working to for near fall points, picking up two with :11 left. The ride-out gave Sanderson a 9-4 lead with :49 in riding time after one period. Sanderson chose down to start the middle stanza and steadily worked his way around for a reversal. The senior All-American cut Turner loose and immediately used another high double to notch a fourth takedown and lead 13-5 with 1:30 left in the period. Sanderson maintained control of Turner long enough to work up a :59 riding time edge before Turner escaped to a 13-6 deficit. Sanderson put yet another high double on the board, getting a takedown at the :32 mark to lead 15-6. Sanderson cut Turner loose with just :20 left and tried to pick up another takedown but Turner managed to play solid defense and push action into the third period. Trailing 15-7, Turner chose down to begin the third period but could not break free of another strong Sanderson ride. Turner did manage an escape with 1:00 left, but Sanderson quickly got another takedown to up his lead to 17-8 (with a secured riding time point) with just under 1:00 left. With a major in hand, Sanderson spend the rest of the period riding Turner out to post the 18-8 major decision and give Penn State an 11-7 lead.
165: Senior Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.), ranked No. 9 at 165, faced Scarlet Knight sophomore Gregory Zanetti. Vallimont spent the first half of the period looking for a chance to score, forcing Zanetti back on his feet. But Zanetti countered a slight Vallimont shot and took a 2-0 lead with just :09 left in the period. Leading 2-0, Zanetti chose down to begin the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. Vallimont worked his way to a takedown and two near fall points with a quick move in front of the RU bench with :55 left in the period. The quick flurry gave Vallimont a 4-3 lead. The Lion All-American then rode Zanetti out to carry the 4-3 lead into the final period. Leading by one with :53 in riding time, Vallimont chose down to start the third period and steadily worked his way around to Zanetti\’s side. After a brief scramble, Vallimont nearly notched a reversal. But Zanetti managed to work his way out of bounds and the Vallimont escape gave the Lion a 5-3 lead with 1:10 left in the bout. Neither wrestler managed any offense over the remainder of the bout and Vallimont posted a hard-fought 5-3 win. The victory put Penn State up 14-7.
174: Penn State sent Michael Lorenzo (Bellefonte, Pa.) into action at 174 to take on Daniel Rinaldi of Rutgers. Lorenzo gained control of Rinaldi\’s shoulders and forced the Knight\’s hands to the mat for a quick takedown and a 2-1 lead a the 2:00 mark. Rinaldi notched his first takedown at the 1:32 mark. The Knight freshman then put together a strong ride, turning Lorenzo for three near fall points and a 6-2 lead. Rinaldi reset and added another three-point turn to take a 9-2 lead after the opening period. Lorenzo chose neutral to begin the second period but it was Rinaldi that picked up another takedown, moving out to an 11-2 lead with 1:12 left. He then rode Lorenzo for the remaining time and led 11-2 with 2:37 in riding time after two periods. Rinaldi chose down to start the last period and quickly escaped to a 12-2 lead. Rinaldi worked his way to another takedown and a 14-2 lead with 1:10 left. Lorenzo escaped to a 14-3 deficit with 0:51 left. Lorenzo notched a takedown with :05 left, but time would run out and Rinaldi got the 15-5 major to cut Penn State\’s lead to 14-11.
184: Senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio) made his season debut at 184 for Penn State, battling RU\’s Jesse Boyden. Erwin got the bout\’s first takedown, using a high double to work his way around Boyden and take an early 2-0 lead. He then cradled the Knight for three near fall points and a 5-0 lead. He reset and began working for another turn. Erwin picked up two more near fall points but Boyden worked his way through for a reversal, cutting Erwin\’s lead to 7-2 with :20 left in a furious opening period. Boyden managed to ride Erwin out to close out the period. Leading 7-2, Erwin chose down to start the middle period. Boyden put together a solid ride until Erwin escaped to an 8-2 lead with :45 left. Boyden also got called for a first stall warning. Erwin led 8-2 after two periods and Boyden chose neutral to start the third stanza. Erwin used a high single to get another takedown and up his lead to 10-2 with 1:35 left. Erwin then began looking for another chance to turn Boyden over for back points. Erwin built up a minute-plus in riding time and continued to press Boyden, looking for a chance to turn him. While Erwin could not turn the Knight, the ride out and bonus point gave Penn State a critical 11-2 major and put Penn State up 18-11.
197: Sophomore Clay Steadman (McKean, Pa.), after a week battling illness, took on No. 16 Lamar Brown at 197. Steadman was equal to the task in facing the ranked Knight early, battling Brown to a scoreless tie after one period as neither man could find an opening to score. Steadman chose down to start the middle period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Steadman continued to work Brown\’s head, trading offensive position but not finding an opening to get a takedown. Another period without any takedowns allowed Steadman to lead 1-0 after two periods. Brown chose down to start the final period. Steadman maintained control of the ranked Knight, however, working Brown to the mat and out of bounds to force a reset with 1:38 left. Steadman continued his ride, working up a :51 riding time edge before Brown escaped to a 1-1 tie. Steadman kept the pressure on Brown for the remainder of the period and the period ended in a 1-1 tie, heading to a sudden victory period. Brown looked to work Steadman\’s shoulders for early control but Steadman nearly turned the move into a takedown of his own. But Brown managed to move out of bounds to force a reset with :30 left. A scoreless sudden victory period set up a tie-breaker and Brown chose down for his :30 session. Brown managed his escape with :19 let to take a 2-1 lead. Next it was Steadman\’s turn in the down position, needing an escape to tie the bout. Steadman could not break free this time and the 2-1 TB decision cut Penn State\’s lead to 18-14 heading into the heavyweight bout.
HWT: Nittany Lion sophomore Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) met Rutgers junior D.J. Russo at heavyweight in the dual\’s lone battle of ranked opponents. Wade entered the match-up ranked No. 19 while Russo was ranked No. 10. Wade had the first scoring chance, gaining control of Russo\’s right leg. But Russo managed to back out of bounds and a reset ensued at the 1:20 mark. That flurry was the only scoring chance in the opening period and the bout moved to the second tied at 0-0. Russo chose down to begin the middle period and quickly worked his way to a 2-0 reversal at the 1:40 mark. Russo began trying to turn Wade and Wade locked his hands to keep from giving up back points. The illegal hold, however, gave Russo a 3-0 lead. The ride-out gave Russo a 3-0 lead with 1:19 in riding time heading into the final period. Wade chose down to start the third period. Wade gave up a stall point and then Russo spent the next :40 desperately trying to turn Wade for back points. Another stall gave Russo a 5-0 lead and the riding time point made it a 6-0 final. The decision was not enough and Penn State notched a hard-fought 18-17 win.
