University Park, Pa. — The Penn State wrestling team, led by head coach Cael Sanderson, is now ranked No. 4 in the latest USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll, just one point out of third place in the weekly coaches’ listing. The 16-1-1 Nittany Lions also maintain eight individuals ranked by Intermat, with six of those grapplers listed among the top 10 at their respective weights and three in the top three.
Cornell continues to hold the top spot with 272 points while Iowa is No. 2 with 265. Oklahoma State (3rd with 248) holds a one point lead over No. 4 Penn State (247) with Minnesota in fifth with 233 points. Virginia Tech (6th), Rutgers (7th), Oklahoma (8th), Boise State (9th) and Lehigh (177) round out the top ten. Michigan (11th), Northwestern (14th), Wisconsin (16th), Illinois (18th) and Purdue (23rd) are also ranked, giving the Big Ten eight teams ranked in the top 25.
While the USA Today/NWCA poll reflects projected dual meet strength, Intermat’s official tournament team ranking (projecting post-season tournament finishes based on each entity’s individual rankings) has Penn State in the No. 2 spot. TheOpenMat.com also compiles a comprehensive tournament strength ranking and has Penn State No. 3 while W.I.N. Magazine has the Lions No. 3 as well on its TPI.
Two-time All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) is now ranked No. 3 at 149. Molinaro is 24-2 on the year and joins freshmen David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) and Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) with top three rankings. Taylor is 30-0 and ranked No. 3 at 157 while Ruth is 28-1 and is ranked No. 2 at 174. Three other Nittany Lions are all ranked in the top ten. Junior heavyweight Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) is 25-4 overall and ranked No. 6 nationally. True freshman Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) is ranked No. 7 at 141 with a 25-6 record while sophomore All-American Andrew Long (Creston, Iowa) is ranked No. 8 at 133 with a 10-1 record. Senior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) is 7-3 on the year and ranked No. 11 at 125 while sophomore Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) is ranked No. 17 at 184 with a 12-5 record.
Penn State returns to action on Friday, Feb. 18, with a 7 p.m. dual against No. 16 Wisconsin in Rec Hall. The match-up is Penn State’s dual meet finale and will also serve as senior night. Tickets are disappearing fast but are still available. Fans wishing to purchase tickets can place their orders by calling 814-865-5555 or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket pricing is $8 for adults and $5 for youth, and there will be a limit of eight tickets per order. Group sales are also available.
