Jake Kemerer and the rest of Penn State’s redshirt wrestlers sit in bleachers behind the home bench during meets at Rec Hall. Watching teammates is becoming a tired practice for Kemerer, a true freshman 165-pounder. “It’s kind of a hard,” he said. “But it’s kind of a preview for next season.” To prepare for 2010-11, Kemerer, along with some other high-profile teammates, are abandoning the bleacher seats saved for tonight’s home finale against Michigan State. Kemerer is one member of a talented group leaving this afternoon for Saturday’s Edinboro Open. Sophomore All-American Quentin Wright and true freshmen David Taylor and Ed Ruth are also competing this weekend.

Kemerer admits he’s antsy to wrestle. The two-time PIAA Class AAA champion hasn’t competed since the Nittany Lion Open on Dec. 6. A two-month wait is too long for somebody who listed no recreational interests beyond “earning a good degree and winning an NCAA title” in a preseason issue of the Penn State Wrestling Club newsletter. “It has been a long time,” Kemerer said. “I can’t wait to get out there and compete again.” In some ways, the wait has helped Kemerer. A knee injury prevented him from finishing the Nittany Lion Open. Kemerer resumed training one week after winter break ended and he said Wednesday he’s “pretty much 100 percent better.” The injury added to a trying season. Kemerer is awaiting word from the NCAA on his eligibility status. Kemerer transferred to Penn State from Oklahoma despite not being released from his scolarship by Sooner coach Jack Spates. If Kemerer doesn’t win his appeal, he will be forced to compete as a sophomore instead of redshirt freshman next season. Sanderson said the matter is still unresolved. “He’s just a mentally tough kid,” Sanderson said. “It’s unfortunate he’s in this position. He’s handled himself really well. He’s not a big talker. He hasn’t gone out there and thrown anything out and been negative in any type of way. Hopefully it works out for him.” Kemerer said his on-mat focus is to win a tournament before this season. The task could be difficult this weekend, presuming if defending NCAA champion Jarrod King of Edinboro wrestles.

Kemerer (11-4) finished third at the Washington and Jefferson and East Stroudsburg Opens. Most of his challenges come in the practice room, where he often has morning workouts with starting 165-pounder and fifth-year Dan Vallimont. “We are glad he’s here,” Sanderson said. “He’s doing everything it takes. He’s had success in open tournaments and we expect him to continue and grow.”

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