Penn State’s focused sage often admits to knowing few details about athletic matters outside his own practice room. But coach Cael Sanderson comprehends the challenge his team faces in its second conference dual. Ohio State nearly upset Iowa to capture a national title and placed ahead of Sanderson’s Iowa State team during last year’s NCAA Championships in St. Louis. The excitement carried into this season, with Ohio State’s only loss coming to Sanderson’s former team during this month’s National Duals. “It’s a great opportunity for our guys to have some tough matchups,” Sanderson said. “We just have to go out there and take advantage of that opportunity.”
Tough might be the optimal word when describing the Buckeyes. Of all the high profile coaching changes after the 2005-06 season, none might have revitalized a program more than the one Ohio State made when it hired Tom Ryan to replace Russ Hellickson. Ryan’s first season in Columbus included some frustrating moments. But the Buckeyes are 46-7 with two NCAA runner-up finishes since 2006-07. One of those victories included a 33-7 drubbing of Penn State at Rec Hall last season.
Judging from this season’s first 13 duals, the Nittany Lions should offer more resistance. Instead of dreading a quick turnaround after Friday’s 24-11 home victory over Illinois, many wrestlers are embracing the trip to Columbus. Some even believe returning with a victory isn’t unrealistic. “I think we can really push them and get a win,” freshman 133-pounder Bryan Pearsall said. “We have some tough matchups. But I think if we wrestle the way we have been all year it can happen.” Pearsall is proof of the sport’s unpredictable nature. He won his Big Ten opener over Illinois’ Daryl Thomas 13-12 despite entering the weekend 0-9 in dual meets. A bout later, Penn State received another upset, when senior Adam Lynch, who had just one dual meet victory, pinned 11th-ranked Ryan Prater at 141. It doesn’t get easier for Lynch today. His opponent is NCAA runner-up Reece Humphrey. “I’m going to have the same mentality, try to tire him out and find opportunities,” Lynch said.
Conditioning was a topic Penn State pondered after Friday’s meet. Sanderson said he pushed the team hard after returning from the Virginia Duals, and in his view the Nittany Lions looked sluggish against Illinois. Three light workouts, including one Saturday after the Nittany Lions bus reached Columbus, could help Penn State restore the energy it displayed throughout the non-conference schedule. “It’s about attitude,” Sanderson said. “You’re going to get to the national tournament and Big Ten Tournament and you have to find a way to make it happen. It’s good preparation. We will be ready to go (today).” This marks the only Big Ten weekend Penn State follows a home meet with an away one. The quality of the opponent — Ohio State features seven ranked wrestlers, including 2008 NCAA 184-pound champion Mike Pucillo — raises the difficulty. “I would have much rather come home and have the away match first,” said senior Dan Vallimont, who faces seventh-ranked Colt Sponseller at 165. “But it’s part of wrestling and something you have to do.”
Notes:Sanderson said sophomore Dave Crowell will start at 197. Crowell, a Pitt transfer, went 3-1 at last weekend’s Millersville Open. He’s replacing Clay Stead-man, who fell to Illinois’ Patrick Bond 9-5. Sanderson said he was going to start Crowell today regardless of Friday’s results.
Thanks to the "Centre Daily Times" (State College, Pa.) for the article