University Park, Pa. — Six members of head coach Cael Sanderson‘s Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team are listed among the top 20 at their respected weights in the season-opening individual rankings by Intermat. All-Americans Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) and Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) lead Penn State with No. 3 nods. The full release can be viewed at www.intermatwrestle.com.
Molinaro, a two-time All-American, is ranked No. 3 at 149 after his 5th place finish last year. He enters into the 2010-11 season with a 56-26 career record and an 8-5 mark at nationals (having placed eighth at 141 two years ago). Wright, who red-shirted last year, is ranked No. 3 at 184. Wright went 33-13 as a true freshman two years ago and took sixth at 174. Junior Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) is ranked No. 9 at heavyweight. Wade went 22-11 last season and qualified for nationals, going 2-2 in Omaha. He is 37-25 as a two-year starter for the Nittany Lions.
Three freshmen are also ranked for the Nittany Lions. Red-shirt freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) is ranked No. 6 at 157. Taylor went 21-2 as an unattached red-shirt last season. Fellow red-shirt freshman Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) is ranked No. 13 at 174. Ruth was equally impressive in unattached action last year, going 14-3. True freshman Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) is ranked No. 13 at 141. No decision has been made as of press time on weather Andrew and/or twin brother Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) will wrestle or red-shirt this season.
Penn State heads into the season ranked No. 6 in the NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll. Last year, in Sanderson’s first as Nittany Lion mentor, Penn State went 13-6-1 and ended the year ranked No. 10 in the final coaches dual meet poll. Penn State capped off the season with a strong ninth place finish at nationals in Omaha.
he 2010-11 dual meet season begins with a road trip to Bloomsburg on Friday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. Penn State hosts Lehigh on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. to open up the home slate in Rec Hall. Season tickets are also still available, with packages costing only $42 for adults and $28 for youth (18 and under) for the seven dual meet package. Fans can place new orders for season tickets by calling Joel Diamond at 814-867-2557. A $5 per order handling fee will be added to new season ticket holders. All ticket orders will be fulfilled and mailed by November 1, 2010. Single dual tickets are also on sale. Fans may call 814-865-5555 to place orders and the tickets cost $8 for adults and $5 for youth.