UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestlers, two-time defending NCAA and Big Ten Champions, have announced their 2012-13 schedule and once again seven home duals are on tap for Rec Hall. Head coach Cael Sanderson and his squad will look to defend their Southern Scuffle title as well.
The season begins on Thursday, Nov. 1, when the team will once again showcase itself during the Intrasquad Dual. The event, free and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. in Rec Hall. The regular season then gets started in earnest on Friday, Nov. 16, when Penn State hosts in-state rival Lehigh in Rec Hall. The annual renewal of one of the nation’s oldest wrestling rivalries begins at 7 p.m. Penn State continues in its work to keep Eastern wrestling rivalries alive by trekking to West Virginia for a dual with the Mountaineers two days later, facing off with WVU on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m.
Penn State then returns to Happy Valley to take part in the Nittany Lion Open on Sunday, Dec. 2, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The next week, Penn State hosts Indiana in its Big Ten opener. The Lions and Hoosiers tangle on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. Lock Haven then comes to Rec Hall on Saturday, Dec. 15, for a 2 p.m. dual in another Eastern wrestling rivalry, closing out the first semester’s portion of the schedule.
The second semester begins on New Year’s Day once again as Penn State travels to Chattanooga, Tenn., to take part in the 2013 Southern Scuffle. Penn State, two-time defending champions of the event, will be one of a bevy of top-ranked teams at the two-day event. Running both Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 1-2, the Scuffle will feature an outstanding field including Penn State, Oklahoma State, Cornell, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia Tech and host Chattanooga just to name a few.
Big Ten action continues on Sunday, Jan. 13, when Penn State hosts Michigan State at 2 p.m. in Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions then host Wisconsin on Friday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. before heading out to Purdue for a Big Ten road dual. Penn State will battle the Boilermakers on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m. The Nebraska Cornhuskers will make their first Rec Hall appearance as members of the Big Ten on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m.
Penn State will then hit the road for four straight duals as February ensues. Penn State visits Illinois on Friday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. (Eastern) and then Iowa on Sunday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m. (Eastern). The Nittany Lions continue their in-state rivalry with Pittsburgh by visiting the Panthers on Friday, Feb. 8, for a 7 p.m. dual. Penn State then keeps heading west for a Big Ten dual at Ohio State on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m.
The Nittany Lions will close out the regular season with two straight duals against Eastern schools. Penn State will host Rider on Sunday, Feb. 17, in the final home dual of the season. Serving as Senior Day, the dual begins a 2 p.m. in Rec Hall. Penn State will then close out the regular season by visiting Rutgers on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m., reuniting with former Lion National Champion and four-time All-American Frank Molinaro (who is now an assistant with the Scarlet Knights).
Penn State will trek to Champaign, Ill, for the 2013 Big Ten Wrestling Championships, hosting by Illinois. The two-day event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, March 9-10. The 2013 NCAA Championships are set for Thursday through Saturday, March 21-13, in Des Moines, Iowa. The Nittany Lions have won the last two NCAA and Big Ten titles.
It is important to note that all dates and times are subject to change, particularly with the Big Ten Network still finalizing its wrestling broadcast schedule.
View the full schedule here.
Ticket information for the 2012-13 season is forthcoming very soon. The season ticket package will include seven home duals (the Intrasquad is a free event and the package does not include the Nittany Lion Open). For information on Penn State wrestling tickets simply call 1-800-NITTANY or check online at www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets/m-wrestl-tickets.html . Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at www.twitter.com/pennstateWRES and on Penn State Wrestling’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling. The full 2012-13 Penn State Wrestling Schedule is as follows: