University Park, Pa. — Nearly 3,000 fans rolled into Rec Hall for the Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling intrasquad dual meet. Head coach Cael Sanderson's squad took part in 12 matches in front of more than 2,900 fans. With one of the nation's best and youngest line-ups, 16 of the 24 wrestlers were freshmen.
The dual began with two major decisions. Starting at heavyweight, junior Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) majored Jon Gingrich (Wingate, Pa.). Wade, ranked No. 9 nationally, posted a 10-1 major decision. Freshman Frank Martellotti (Pittsburgh, Pa.) then majored classmate Nate Morgan (McCook, Neb.), 10-2 at 125. At 133, sophomore Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) used riding time to post a 2-1 win over freshman Sam Sherlock (West Mifflin, Pa.).
Senior Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) posted an exciting 14-10 win over true freshman Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) in one of two bouts at 141. No. 13 Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) pinned Kyle Moran (Oxford, Pa.) at the 1:02 mark in another 141-pound bout. With No. 3 Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) held out at 149, sophomore James English (York, Pa.) posted a strong 8-2 win over freshman David Church (Erie, Pa.) at 149.
No. 6 David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) pinned fellow red-shirt freshman James Vollrath (Richboro, Pa.) at the 4:14 mark at 157. Red-shirt freshman Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa.) notched a strong 10-4 win over sophomore Nick Fischer (Unionville, Pa.) at 165 and true freshman Dirk Cowburn (Coudersport, Pa.) majored freshman Brandon Phillips (Timonium, Md.) 13-3 in an exhibition.
Freshman Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), ranked No. 13 at 174, notched a 16-1 technical fall over senior Michael Lorenzo (Bellefonte, Pa.) before No. 3 Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) posted a 10-0 major over Andrew Church (Erie, Pa.) at 184. Sophomore Justin Ortega (Oxford, Pa.), moving up to 197 after wrestling at 174 last year, downed Nick Ruggear 2-1 in the final bout of the night.
Penn State will open up the 2010-11 season at Bloomsburg on Friday, Nov. 12, with a 7 p.m. dual against the Huskies. The home season begins just two days later when Lehigh invades Rec Hall on Sunday, Nov. 14, for a 2 p.m. dual. Season tickets for the 2010-11 Penn State wrestling season are on sale now. This year's package features seven home duals (the Nittany Lion Open is not part of the package) and costs only $42 for adults and $28 for youth (18 and under). 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. Single dual tickets will go on sale later this fall. The 2010-11 Penn State wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline.
All Penn State events will once again air live on Forever Broadcasting's WRSC (1390 AM) and WSQV (92.1 FM). All radio broadcasts are streamed live at GoPSUsports.com as part of the All-Access package. The 2010-11 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
#6 Penn State Hosts Intrasquad
November 4, 2010 - Rec Hall - University Park, Pa.
285: #9 Cameron Wade BL maj. dec. Jon Gingrich WH, 10-1
125: Frank Martellotti WH maj. dec. Nate Morgan BL, 10-2
133: Bryan Pearsall WH dec. Sam Sherlock BL, 2-1
141: Adam Lynch BL dec. Dylan Alton WH, 14-10
141 EX: #13 Andrew Alton BL pinned Kyle Moran WH, WBF (1:02)
149: James English BL dec. David Church WH, 8-2
157: #6 David Taylor WH pinned James Vollrath BL, WBF (4:14)
165: Jake Kemerer BL dec. Nick Fischer WH, 10-4
165EX: Dirk Cowburn BL maj. dec. Brandon Phillips WH, 13-3
174: #13 Ed Ruth WH tech. fall Michael Lorenzo BL, 16-1 (4:13)
184: #3 Quentin Wright BL maj. dec. Andrew Church WH, 10-0
197: Justin Ortega BL dec. Nick Ruggear WH, 2-1
Attendance (approximate): 2,900
Records: Penn State 0-0 (0-0 Big Ten)
Up Next for Penn State: at Bloomsburg, Friday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m.; home vs. #17 Lehigh, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2 p.m.
BOUT-BY-BOUT:
285: Junior Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio), ranked No. 9 nationally at heavyweight, met true freshman Jon Gingrich (Wingate, Pa.). Wade used a low single to trip Gingrich to the mat for an early 2-0 lead. Gingrich escaped after a 1:14 ride but Wade added another takedown before the period ended to lead 4-1 after one period. Wade chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 5-1 lead. Wade gained control of Gingrich's shoulders and worked his way behind him for a third takedown, upping his lead to 7-1. Another ride out gave Wade a 7-1 lead heading into the final period. Gingrich shot low on Wade's ankle, looking to get a takedown and climb back into the match. But Wade was able to gain control of Gingrich's wrist and force a stalemate at the 1:16 mark. Another low Gingrich shot led to another Wade counter takedown and the Lion junior led 9-1 with under :30 left to wrestle. Wade maintained control of the freshman for the remainder of the match and, with the bonus point, posted a 10-1 major decision.
125: With senior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) sidelined to start the season, two true-freshmen took to the mat at 125. Frank Martellotti (Pittsburgh, Pa.) took on Nate Morgan (McCook, Neb.). Martellotti wasted no time in getting his first takedown, gaining control of Morgan's ankles for a takedown at the 2:37 mark. Morgan escaped with just under 2:00 on the clock, cutting the lead to 2-1. Martellotti added a second takedown, quickly countering a Morgan shot for a 4-1 lead. Martellotti turned Morgan for a two-point near fall and led 6-1 after one period. Martellotti chose down to start the second period. Morgan put together a strong ride as Martellotti took over a minute to escape. Trailing 7-1, Morgan chose down to start the final period and escaped to a 7-2 deficit with 1:08 on the clock, but Martellotti added another takedown off a solid counter shot on the edge of the mat. Leading 9-2 with just :37 left, Martellotti killed the clock and, with the bonus point, posted a 10-2 major decision.
133: Sophomore Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) met true freshman Sam Sherlock (West Mifflin, Pa.) at 133. The duo battled through a scoreless first period. Pearsall chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. No wrestler managed any clear shots during the second period either and the bout went to a final period with Pearsall leading 1-0. Sherlock chose down to start the third period and nearly reversed Pearsall at the whistle. Pearsall was able to maintain control and force a stalemate at the 1:41 mark. Pearsall almost notched back points, but Sherlock was able to roll through. Pearsall's strong ride allowed him to build up more than a minute's worth of riding time. The Lion sophomore maintained control of the true freshman until only :02 remained. Sherlock escaped to a 1-1 tie but the riding time point gave Pearsall a 2-1 win.
141: Senior Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) took on true freshman Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) at 141. Alton scored on a low double just :02 into the bout, taking a quick lead. A Lynch escaped cut the lead to 2-1, but Alton was able to quickly take Lynch down again to up his lead to 4-1 with 2:09 left. Lynch escaped quickly, only to get taken down a third time. Alton's lead moved out to 6-3 after a Lynch escape. Lynch gained control of Alton's right leg and got his first takedown with :32 left, cutting the lead to 6-5 after a Lynch ride-out. Lynch chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 6-6 tie. Lynch gained control of Alton's left leg again and worked his way to another takedown, taking an 8-6 lead. Alton notched a solid reversal with just :10 left, tying the bout at 8-8 heading into the final period. Alton chose down to start the third period but Lynch was once again strong up top. But just as Lynch got to 1:00 in riding time, Alton reversed him again and took a 10-8 lead. Lynch quickly escaped to cut the lead to 10-9 and then took Alton down on the edge of the mat to take an 11-10 lead. Lynch added two back points and a riding time point to post a convincing 14-10 win.
EXH: In a surprise exhibition, true freshman Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) battled freshman Kyle Moran (Oxford, Pa.) in a second battle at 141. Alton, who entered the year ranked No. 13 nationally, quickly took Moran down to lead 2-0 out of the gates. Moran escaped but Alton took him down and then worked him to his back for a quick pin at the 1:02 mark.
149: With two-time All-American and third-ranked Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) being held out for the week, sophomore James English (York, Pa.) met red-shirt freshman David Church (Erie, Pa.) at 149. English was aggressive out of the gates and took a quick 2-0 lead. Church escaped but not until English at 1:15 in riding time. Leading 2-1, English chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead. A quick high shot and trip gave English a 5-1 lead with :15 left and the Lion sophomore rode Church out to carry that lead into the third period. Church chose down to start the final stanza and escaped to a 5-2 deficit. English added another takedown, countering a Church shot and, with another ride out and the bonus point, posted an 8-2 win.
157: Red-shirt freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), ranked No. 6 nationally at 157, met classmate James Vollrath (Richboro, Pa.). Taylor used a solid high single to post the bout's first takedown with :25 left in the period. A quick ride out allowed the Lion freshman to lead 2-0 after one period. Taylor chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. A high double in the middle of the mat led to another Taylor takedown and a 5-0 lead. Taylor then gained control of Vollrath's shoulders, worked his way on top of his teammate and turned him to his back for a pin at the 4:14 mark.
165: Sophomore Nick Fischer (Unionville, Pa.) took on red-shirt freshman Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa.) at 165. Kemerer nearly got the bout's first takedown, working on the edge of the mat. But action moved out of bounds with :44 left, forcing a reset. Fischer gained control of Kemerer's ankle with :30 left and turned it into a takedown with :15 left in the opening period. A Fischer ride-out gave the Lion sophomore a 2-0 lead heading into the second period. Kemerer chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 2-1 deficit. Kemerer used a high double to throw Fischer to his back and used his right leg to force Fischer's shoulders to the mat, adding two near fall points with :44 left. Fischer escaped to cut the lead to 5-3, but Kemerer added another quick takedown as the period ended to lead 7-3 heading into the final stanza. Fischer chose down to start the third period but could not break free of a strong Kemerer ride until the 1:16 mark, cutting the lead to 7-4. Kemerer countered a low Fischer shot, worked his way behind the Lion sophomore and added a takedown to up his lead to 9-4. Kemerer then rode Fischer out and, with the bonus point, posted a convincing 10-4 win.
EXH: Two true freshmen met up in an exhibition bout. 165-pounder Dirk Cowburn (Coudersport, Pa.) faced off with 174-pounder Brandon Phillips (Timonium, Md.). Cowburn wasted no time getting his first takedown, taking an early 2-0 lead. Phillips escaped after Cowburn had worked up a 1:02 riding time edge to cut the lead to 2-1. But a strong Cowburn double gave the Lion rookie a 4-1 lead at the 1:00 mark. Cowburn rode Phillips out to carry the 4-1 lead (with 2:08 in riding time) into the third period. Phillips chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-2 deficit. Cowburn countered a slight Phillips shot and notched a key takedown with just :04 left to lead 6-2 after two periods. Cowburn chose down to start the final stanza and quickly escaped to a 7-2 lead. Phillips gave up a stall point and then Cowburn got another takedown with under 1:00 left to wrestle to move out to a 10-2 lead. Phillips escaped with :35 left but Cowburn used a strong low single to add another takedown and, with the bonus point, post a 13-3 major.
174: Senior Michael Lorenzo (Bellefonte, Pa.) met red-shirt freshman Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) at 174. Ruth enters the year ranked No. 13 nationally. Ruth was quick to score on Lorenzo, getting a takedown at the 2:52 mark to move out to an early lead. Ruth nearly pinned the Lion senior, picking up three near fall point to lead 5-0. Ruth's strong ride continued deep into the period, forcing Lorenzo into a stall warning. The strong Ruth ride included another three-point near fall and the ranked Lion freshman led 8-0 after the opening period. Ruth chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 9-0 lead. He used a high single to work his way to another takedown and an 11-0 lead and turned Lorenzo for a third three-point near fall and a 14-0 lead. Lorenzo escaped but Ruth added a takedown to post the 16-1 technical fall at the 4:13 mark.
184: All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), ranked No. 3 in the country at 184, took on red-shirt freshman Andrew Church (Erie, Pa.). Wright quickly used a high shoulder throw to put Church to his back and nearly pin the Lion freshman. The four-point move gave him an early 4-0 lead. Wright then put together a very strong ride, trying to turn Church for more back points. Church was able to roll through each Wright effort, although Wright was able to ride Church out for a full 2:47. Wright chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 5-0 lead. He then used a low single at the :45 mark to up his lead to 7-0 after two periods. Church chose neutral to start the third period only to get tripped to the mat by Wright for another takedown at the 1:22 mark. Leading 9-0 with the riding time point assured, Wright began looking for a turning combination. Church was strong underneath, however, nearly reversing Wright at one point. But the Lion All-American was able to maintain control and, with 4:50 in riding time, post a strong 10-0 major.
197: Sophomore Justin Ortega (Oxford, Pa.) met former high school teammate Nick Ruggear (Oxford, Pa.) in a battle at 197. Neither wrestler found an opening to score over the first three minutes of action, leading to a scoreless tie after one period. Ortega chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Ruggear then worked to get the first takedown, trying to score on a high double. But Ortega was able to fight off the move and work his way out of bounds with 1:20 left in the period. Neither man threatened to score for the remainder of the period and Ortega carried a 1-0 lead into the final stanza. Ruggear chose down to start the third period but could not work free of a strong Ortega ride. The Lion sophomore, who wrestled at 174 last year, built up a 1:37 riding time edge before Ruggear escaped with just :20 left. Ortega then fought off a late Ruggear shot and posted a strong 2-1 win.