Sanderson cracked some Wednesday when asked if entering the top 10 has become a team goal. “Yeah, absolutely,” he said. He then partially caught himself. “We are looking at making progress more than what our ranking is and just competing the way we want to compete,” he said. “If we do that, we have a real good chance of getting in there.” A top-10 dual meet ranking would be a major coup. Penn State entered this season shaken by a tumultuous ending to 2009, which included one victory in its final 11 meets, disappointing Big Ten and NCAA showings and a major coaching change.
Wrestlers spent the spring, summer and fall adjusting to new coaches, philosophies, practice plans and strength programs. The program lost some highly touted wrestlers, including middleweights Bubba Jenkins and Tim Darling, and Sanderson made the decision to redshirt All-American Quentin Wright and the entire 2009 recruiting class. When the season started, the Nittany Lions had holes at four weights, another sign they were headed for a rebuilding year. Some tempered immediate expectations after the 24-13 loss at Lehigh. But Sanderson and his wrestlers never viewed 2009- 10 as a rebuilding season. A lineup with four seniors — Adam Lynch, Cyler Sanderson, Dan Vallimont and David Erwin — are keeping the focus on this season. “Coach has told us he thinks this team can win nationals,“ Lynch said. “It’s not a rebuilding year. It’s why not win nationals?” Lynch is a major reason this season has turned intriguing. Lynch, a Mifflinburg graduate who never qualified for the PIAA Class AA Championships, started slow, but has sufficiently filled the hole at 141 created by Frank Molinaro’s move to 149. Penn State’s three victories over ranked teams in 2010 include a common theme: a win at 141. Lynch also earned one of two bout wins at No. 1 Iowa. Lynch said recent successes, both team and individually, stem from added confidence. “Every match it seems like everyone is getting better,” he said. “You can see that. There’s definitely more confidence.”
There’s also resiliency. The victory at Wisconsin came two days after a 29-6 loss at Iowa and week after a 21-14 setback at Ohio State. The Nittany Lions, who also have avoided major injuries, will likely end the year without losing more than two straight duals. Cael Sanderson said Lynch was a reason the Nittany Lions quickly rebounded last weekend. “Lynch’s performance has been just pivotal,” Sanderson said. “He’s not only winning, but he’s wrestling hard. I think that’s a great thing for the other guys on the team and our fans to see. I know our fans are more interested in our guys wrestling hard than the wins and losses.” Fans also enjoy rankings. And even wrestlers, a group driven by postseason tournaments, wouldn’t mind seeing Penn State land in the top 10. “It’s definitely a goal,” heavyweight Cameron Wade said. “You always want to move up. The dual meet season means something, but we really want to be ready for Big Tens.”
Thanks to Guy Cipriano and the "Centre Daily Times" (State College, Pa.) for the article