The duo joins true freshman Garrett Scott as first-time national qualifiers. Seniors Phil Davis (197) and Mark McKnight (125) are making their fourth NCAA tournament appearances while sophomores Dan Vallimont (157) and Bubba Jenkins are 2-for-2 in the qualifying process. Rella (15-14), a sophomore, and Bomberger (19-8), a junior, were two highlights from Penn State’s seventh-place finish during the Big Ten Championships. The duo showed their offenses have improved since finishing a combined 1-5 at last year’s conference tournament. After a 3-2 first-round loss to Michigan All-American Eric Tannenbaum, Rella compiled one-point victories over Minnesota’s Tyler Safratowich and Illinois’ Roger Smith- Bergsrud to reach the consolation finals. Bomberger also recorded two victories during the tournament. Rella and Bomberger didn’t need to search for motivation this postseason. They were the only two Penn State underclassmen who failed to reach last year’s national championships. “Bomberger and I practiced together after nationals and did all the extra work because it’s discouraging not making it and having to go there and watch our whole team,” Rella said. “It really hit home.
While Rella sat in the stands and watched last year’s NCAA Championships in Auburn Hills, Mich., Bomberger stayed in central Pennsylvania. “I couldn’t stand to go watch wrestling that I wasn’t in,” Bomberger said. Missing the NCAA Tournament ended Bomberger’s difficult sophomore season. He went 8-14, including 0-4 in Big Ten duals, as he split time with multiple teammates at 184. Losing represented a new experience for Bomberger, who went 165-21 and advanced to the PIAA Class AA finals during his career at District 3 Juniata High School. Bomberger also played for a Juniata football team that won an Eastern Conference title. “I never thought I would have a year like that in wrestling,” he said. “I think failing that many times has made me stronger as a person. I can’t stand to fail as many times as I did. I don’t want to go through that ever again.” Rella’s 2006-07 also proved humbling. He turned into the starting 165-pounder midway through the season, and after a 15-2 start, he won just six times in his final 16 bouts. Rella then found himself watching the national championships along with more than 17,000 other fans. A year earlier, similar crowds watched him win his second straight Ohio state title.
Rella and Bomberger both begin this year’s NCAA Tournament against 12th-seeded wrestlers. Rella faces Edinboro’s Jarrod King while Bomberger wrestles Oklahoma State’s Jack Jensen. Rella and Bomberger are as chiseled and broad-shouldered as most of their competitors, so this week resembles their seasons. Success will depend on their ability to overcome mental blocks. “I think Rella has confidence from his performance in Big Tens,” Penn State coach Troy Sunderland said. “I’m sure there’s a little bit of nerves going there the first time, but he knows he can compete with these guys. As far as Bomberger, he has done well with those kids ranked 10th and down and he has struggled with the top kids. That’s a hurdle he’s going to have to overcome.” Bomberger and Rella are a combined 2-11 against wrestlers currently listed in the Top 10 of the NWCA/InterMat rankings. What would a victory over a highly ranked wrestler mean? It would add luster to an already exciting week. “It’s a great atmosphere and there are going to be a ton of people there,” Rella said. “It was exciting to watch. It will be fun to go there as a wrestler finally.”
THanks to Guy Cipriano and the "Centre Daily Times" (State College, Pa.) for the article