The Nittany Lions face some major offseason challenges. They must replace Davis, the program’s best wrestler this decade. They also must replace 125-pounder Mark McKnight, an enigma whose fourth-place finish helped Penn State end a season in the nation’s top 3 for the first time since 1994. Speaking of enigmas, sophomore 149-pounder Bubba Jenkins tossed a knee-high curveball when he said after his finals loss to Iowa’s Brent Metcalf he wants to redshirt next season. Davis, Jenkins and McKnight combined to score 54.5 of Penn State’s 75 NCAA tournament points. A redshirt season appears shrewd on Jenkins’ part. He closed the gap on Metcalf — he went from being pinned to majored to decisioned — but both wrestlers are sophomores. A season away from serious competition would allow Jenkins to mature physically, refresh mentally and ensure himself a Metcalf-free senior year in 2010-11. Metcalf, who started his career at Virginia Tech, redshirted in 2005-06 and lost a year of eligibility in 2006-07 by transferring to Iowa, so his splendid career should end in 2009-10. Penn State might have enough depth on next year’s roster to overcome the definite loss of Davis and McKnight and possible absence of Jenkins. Three-time PIAA champions Garrett Scott and Tim Darling, three-time New Jersey state champion Frank Molinaro, and 2007 All-American Jake Strayer give the staff four options from 141 to 149.
The lineup becomes even stronger if Strayer can drop to 133, the weight he competed at as a freshman and sophomore. Brad Pataky, a former Clearfield standout involved in an Olympic redshirt season, should develop into a capable replacement for McKnight at 125. No single wrestler can replace Davis. But freshman Jared Platt, a 197-pounder who didn’t compete this season because of an injury, arrived at Penn State last fall as one of the nation’s top recruits. Platt attended New Jersey power Blair Academy, meaning he features the pedigree to compete instantly in the Big Ten. If Jenkins redshirts next season, Dan Vallimont, who placed third at 157, will become Penn State’s highest returning NCAA placewinner. Dave Rella and Phil Bomberger, national qualifiers at 165 and 184, respectively, also return. Two more starters — 174-pounder David Erwin and heavyweight John Laboranti — return, although competition for their spots appears fierce. Bald Eagle Area standout Quentin Wright, the only wrestler who signed with Penn State during the fall signing period, should immediately contend for a starting spot. Wright won his second PIAA title at 171 pounds, so 174 could be his ideal freshman weight. Two-time Ohio state champion Cameron Wade and Stefan Tighe will join Laboranti in the heavyweight mix.
Once a lineup is set, two major questions should emerge: Did Penn State reach its peak with a third-place NCAA tournament showing? Or was this the start of an ascent? The unknowns are why Sunderland didn’t want this month’s accomplishments to produce an extended celebration. “We’re happy,” Sunderland said after the NCAA tournament. “But satisfied is not the right word.” The 42.5 points that separated Penn State from champion Iowa should drive the Nittany Lions this offseason. The eight points that separated the Nittany Lions from ninth-place Cornell should also motivate the program. Only four points rested between Penn State and second- place Ohio State. Iowa and Ohio State handed Penn State three of its five dual-meet losses. A year ago, Penn State finished in 11th place, 44 points behind champion Minnesota and 34.5 points behind second- place Iowa State. So, yes, this March was better than last one. But next March might tell us whether this program peaked or started an ascent during 2007-08.
Thansk to Guy Cipriano and the "Centre Daily Times" (State College, Pa.) for the article