Match 1: Penn State 31, Cornell 9. A good start.
Match 2: Penn State 22, Iowa State 16. An even better second step, considering the Nittany Lions’ last win against the Cyclones came in 1998.
Match 3: Ohio State 24, Penn State 11.
At least the Nittany Lions aren’t scrounging for motivation entering their second Big Ten dual. For the first time this season, Penn State (8-3, 0-1 Big Ten) has an opportunity to avenge a loss when it meets Ohio State (13-3, 1-1) tonight at St. John Arena. The dynamics of this dual should contrast the ones displayed in Cedar Falls, Iowa, earlier this month. The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions aren’t wrestling at the end of a demanding two-day tournament. “This will give us some indication of the adjustments that we have made,” Penn State coach Troy Sunderland said. “We’re looking for increased energy, increased intensity and increased motivation.”
Only 12 days have passed since the Buckeyes won seven bouts against the Nittany Lions at national duals. But they have been a lengthy 12 days for Penn State. After winning 47 of 60 bouts in its first six matches, Penn State has claimed just six bouts in its last two matches. The Nittany Lions opened their Big Ten schedule by winning three bouts during a 27-13 loss at No. 1 Iowa on Sunday. In some ways, Sunderland is still peeved by his team’s performance against the Hawkeyes. Penn State’s two most consistent performers — senior 197-pounder Phil Davis and sophomore 157-pounder Dan Vallimont — were the only wrestlers to defeat an Iowa starter. “We are hoping for and expecting a better effort from this team,” Sunderland said this week.
Penn State’s lineup might not resemble the one that faced Ohio State or Iowa earlier this month. Sunderland said 184-pounder Phil Bomberger and 174-pound David Erwin will likely miss the match because of injuries. If neither wrestler can compete, then juniors Mark Friend and Jack Decker will occupy the 174-and 184-pound slots. Friend replaced Erwin against Iowa while Decker, a starter at 149 in 2005, has not wrestled a dual meet this season. Sunderland also said that Stefan Tighe will start at heavyweight and that both 141-pounders — Jake Strayer and Garrett Scott — are traveling to Columbus. Strayer missed the Iowa match because of his grandmother’s death.
If tonight resembles what occurred earlier this month, Penn State will be tested throughout the match. Ohio State started the dual by winning every bout from 125 to 149, the stretch included true freshman Nikko Triggas’ 10-3 victory over fifth-year senior Mark McKnight at 125 and Lance Palmer’s 10-7 victory over Bubba Jenkins at 149. The Buckeyes also won two of the final three bouts. “We’re looking forward to wrestling them again,” said Vallimont, who beat Jason Johnstone 4-1 in the first match. “We don’t think what happened at national duals is an accurate portrayal of how we can wrestle. We think it can be a different outcome the second time around.”
Thanks to Guy Cipriano and the "Centre Daily Times" (State College, Pa.) for the article