The panic and secrecy created by injuries to two of Penn State’s wrestlers is subsiding. Senior 125-pounder Brad Pataky suffered a sprained knee while junior 149- pounder Frank Molinaro broke his ankle, according to coach Cael Sanderson. Neither veteran has resumed live wrestling, but they remain major parts of Penn State’s 2010-11 plans. Both wrestlers suffered their injuries during preseason workouts, with Pataky’s coming three weeks ago. Sanderson said the program will not rush either wrestler back to action. Penn State opens the season Nov. 12 at Bloomsburg and wrestles Lehigh at home two days later. “I have been working with the trainers and coaches a lot,” said Pataky, who wore a knee brace to Thursday’s media day. “It’s coming back a lot faster than I expected and the doctors expected. It’s just a matter of a few weeks until I plan on being in the full swing.”

Pataky suffered the injury trying to break a teammate's hold. Pataky said he has suffered multiple knee injuries, and he didn’t think this one was career ending. But the injury temporarily altered his mood. “At first, I was really upset with it,” he said. “With the coaching staff and doctors and trainers helping me out, we have a lot of positive attitudes that are helping me out a lot. My attitude has changed 180.” Molinaro’s injury hasn’t changed his enthusiasm toward this season. The two-time All-American is itching to return and said he’s “bored to death” with cardiovascular activities such as swimming and biking. “I want to wrestle so bad,” he said. “I have never taken longer than a month off from wrestling in my life.” If it’s his decision to make, Molinaro said he will be ready for the Bloomsburg meet. Sanderson said Molinaro’s recovery is ahead of schedule. “It’s a matter of waiting until we get the go ahead with him, which could be our first match,” Sanderson said. “I don’t know. We will figure that out. We have to do what’s right for the long term.” Sanderson said freshman Frank Martellotti is the leading candidate at 125 until Pataky’s return. Sophomore James English will likely wrestle 149 if Molinaro doesn’t wrestle the opening weekend.

Ortega up at 197

Add sophomore Justin Ortega to the small list of 197-pound candidates. Ortega, last year’s starter at 174, is competing with true freshman Nick Ruggear for the spot held by Clay Steadman last year. Steadman, a junior and two-year starter, is still on the roster, but an injury has limited his preseason activity. Ortega’s best chance to earn a starting spot is at 197. Ed Ruth and Quentin Wright are the projected 174-and 184-pounders. Ruggear, who attended District 1 Oxford High School with Ortega, is a true freshman. “I wrestle Ed in the practice room and he will win seven out of 10 matches,” said Ortega, who went 6-20 last year. “I think this might be better for me, especially not cutting weight. I can handle 184, but getting to 174 is tough.”

Reversals

The Nittany Lions are ranked sixth behind Cornell, Boise State, Oklahoma State, Minnesota and Wisconsin in the NWCA/USA Today preseason rankings. Molinaro (No. 3, 149), Wright (No. 3, 184), David Taylor (No. 6, 157), Cameron Wade (No. 9, heavyweight), Ruth (No. 13, 174) and Andrew Alton (No. 13, 141) are ranked in Intermat’s individual rankings. State College graduate and Cornell sophomore Steve Bosak is ranked sixth at 184. Penns Valley graduate Drew Zettle made the team after a preseason tryout. Zettle is listed as a 141-pounder on the roster.

Thanks to Guy Cipriano and the "Centre Daily Times" (State College, Pa.) for the article