Six Nittany Lion wrestlers earn Academic All-Big Ten laurels

University Park, Pa. — Six members of head coach Cael Sanderson’s 2011 NCAA Champion wrestling team, including 30 percent of its season-ending starters, have earned 2011 Academic All-Big Ten honors.  All-Americans Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) and David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) lead the charge for the Nittany Lions.
 
Wright, the 2011 NCAA National Champion at 184, earned his second Academic All-Big Ten honor this year.  Wright, a Management major, went 21-6 this year and capped off a roller-coaster season with a stunning nine-match winning streak to claim both the Big Ten and NCAA titles.  Wright went 6-1 in pins and 5-1 in majors as well.  Wright, a sophomore, earned his second All-America honors this year after finishing sixth at 174 as a true freshman in 2009.
 
Taylor, the 2011 NCAA National Runner-Up at 157, earned his first Academic All-Big Ten honor.  Taylor, a red-shirt freshman, is enrolled in the Division of Undergraduate Studies.  The 2011 Big Ten Wrestler of the Year and Freshman of the Year, Taylor went 38-1 this year, reeling off 38 straight wins before suffering an upset loss in the national finals.  34 of Taylor’s 38 wins were by major decision or better (eight pins, 15 technical falls and 11 majors).
 
Starting heavyweight Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) earned his third straight Academic All-Big Ten honor this year.  Wade, now a two-time NCAA qualifier, finished just one win shy of earning All-America honors after suffering an injury in the national quarterfinals in Philadelphia this past March.  Wade, a Finance major, went 30-8 this year with nine pins, three techs and three majors.
 
Red-shirt sophomore James English (York, Pa.) earned his second Academic All-Big Ten award.  English, a Chemical Engineering major, was a part-time starter at 149 for Penn State this year, filling the void excellently early in the season as three-time All-America Frank Molinaro rehabbed a pre-season injury.  English went 13-4 this year, including an outstanding 3-1 dual meet record which included multiple wins over nationally ranked wrestlers.
 
Red-shirt sophomore Nick Fischer (Unionville, Pa.) earned his second Academic All-Big Ten award as well.  Fischer, a Mechanical Engineering major, was a part-time starter throughout the year at 165.  Fischer was a constant feature at 165 for Penn State this year, posting a 15-9 overall record; including a 3-3 dual meet mark that included two Big Ten wins.
 
Senior Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) earned his second Academic All-Big Ten honor.  Lynch, a Recreation, Park and Tourism Management major, returned for a final year after graduating last Spring.  One of the team’s most steadying and veteran presences, Lynch posted a 7-3 mark this year and emerged as a team leader for the Nittany Lions.
 
This year’s total of six Academic All-Big Ten winners gives Sanderson 13 in just two years at the helm of Penn State.  The Nittany Lions had a total of 16 winners in the five years prior to Sanderson’s arrival.  Conference wide, wrestling continued to flex its academic muscle, garnering more Academic All-Big Ten winners than any winter sport except men’s and women’s swimming and diving.
 
The Nittany Lions are coming off a stunning 2010-11 season that saw them post a 17-1-1 dual meet record, claim their first ever Big Ten Championship and win the 2011 NCAA Championship for the first time since 1953. Fans wishing to purchase 2011 Penn State Wrestling NCAA Championship gear can do so now by visiting the online store at www.GoPSUsports.com/store .  Season tickets for the 2011-12 season are disappearing fast as well.  Fans may make deposits on new season tickets by following the information available online at is www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets/m-wrestl-tickets.html .  Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at www.twitter.com/pennstatepat and on Penn State Wrestling’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling.