A season without a full schedule is new to Wright. Even during his senior year at Bald Eagle Area, Wright took few weekends off. That season included stops at the Mat-Town USA, Nittany Lion and Millersville Opens. His college career received a sudden start, when he entered Penn State’s lineup last November after an early-season injury to David Erwin. Wright never left the lineup and went 33-13. He competed in just two opens during 2008-09. Wright’s presence on the open circuit will increase this season. The season has already included some odd moments. Wright had trouble sitting still last weekend. “It was rough,” he said. “There were times when I wanted to go out there and help the team. But what we’re doing is really good. I get a whole year to learn the new system.”
Wright will see more muscle- bound athletes at 184 than he did at 174 and adjusting to the bruising style could take time. He said his current focus is improving on his feet and learning how to implement the ankle picks and foot sweeps he’s been practicing with Sanderson. “We feel like it’s in his best interest to give him a chance to grow and spend some time making progress,” Sanderson said. “But he’s still competing and he’s going to get in as many matches as he wants. We’re giving him a chance to move up a weight class or even two weight classes. We are ready to see him go.” The East Stroudsburg Open begins at 9 a.m. with wrestling on 10 mats in Koehler Fieldhouse. State College High School senior Erik Galloway is entered in the event at 133 pounds.
Plugging holes
Penn State’s lineup for Sunday’s Sprawl and Brawl Duals in Binghamton, N.Y., will feature some twists. Sanderson said Bellefonte graduate Mike Lorenzo will wrestle at 174. Lorenzo, the son of former Penn State coach Rich Lorenzo, has not wrestled in a dual meet since defeating Lock Haven’s Mike Metzger on Feb. 23, 2008. Senior David Erwin, who was majored by Lehigh’s Robert Hamlin at 174, could see action at 184, Sanderson said. Erwin didn’t compete in Sunday’s victory over Bloomsburg. “We’re testing the waters with him,” Sanderson said. “We know he can compete. It’s just a matter of feeling good and being able to go out there and wrestle seven minutes. I don’t think the weight class really matters with him. He competes really well with bigger guys.” Redshirt freshman Justin Ortega, who wrestled at 184 last weekend, will also make the trip. The staff is continuing to sort through the 133-and 141-pound weight classes. Sanderson said Tyler Salts-man and Bryan Pearsall at 133 and Colby Pisani and Adam Lynch at 141 could all see action this weekend. The Nittany Lions went winless at 133, 141, 174 and 184 last weekend. Penn State wrestles Rutgers at 9:45 a.m., Harvard at 11:30 a.m. and Edinboro at 3 p.m.
Big matchups
Senior 157-pounder Cyler Sanderson moved up to No. 4 in the InterMat rankings after defeating Bloomsburg’s Matt Moley, but he will receive a chance to ascend higher Sunday. In the Nittany Lions’ second match, Cyler will face Harvard’s J.P. O’Connor, a two-time All- American ranked third at 157. Fellow senior Dan Vallimont, ranked No. 9 at 165, will face returning NCAA champion Jarrod King of Edinboro. Vallimont defeated two ranked wrestlers last weekend in Lehigh’s Mike Galante and Bloomsburg’s Rick Schmelyun. Sophomore heavyweight Cameron Wade also has a big weekend. Wade will face 10th-ranked D.J. Russo of Rutgers and 11th-ranked Chris Birchler of Edinboro. Wade is ranked 19th. Junior 125-pounder Brad Pataky will see his first ranked opponent of the season in Edinboro’s Eric Morrill. Pataky and Morrill are ranked sixth and eighth, respectively.
Thanks to Guy Cipriano and the CDT for the article