Haas, like his best friend, has spent the majority of his career rehabbing injuries and watching from the sidelines. Knee injuries have limited him to just 58 matches in five years -- an average of just 11 bouts a season. Anspach's career wasn't much different. He didn't sit out as much as Haas, but did miss considerable time with shoulder injuries during his redshirt freshman and junior seasons. The trick, Anspach said, is putting together a résumé that will convince the NCAA committee responsible for assigning the extra year that you deserve it. A sixth year of eligibility is not something that is often granted. For one, a wrestler has to miss two full seasons, or at least 80 percent of the team's matches, to even qualify. A different stipulation prevented Anspach from wrestling for a sixth year for Penn State. "The other rule is that you can't compete after January 1st of that year in any competition and that's what I did," Anspach said. "I competed in an open tournament [during] my sophomore year which was in January some time."
The 133-pound Haas did miss two full years -- without using a medical redshirt. Haas tore his anterior cruciate ligament in 2004-05 just four matches into the season. He re-injured his knee after the team's first tournament last year. Both injuries prevented him from wrestling into January. Haas has sent a manila folder -- Anspach says it's about "an inch thick" -- describing his injuries and recovery efforts to the NCAA to review. In the meantime, Haas will have to write letters to the committee urging them to consider his cause legitimate. Representatives from the NCAA did not return calls about this article.
Penn State coach Troy Sunderland said he didn't want to speculate on Haas' case and he didn't know when Haas would learn about his future. Sunderland did say he has been preparing his co-captain as if this weekend's Big Ten tournament could be his last action in a blue and white singlet. "Right now he has to do the letter on his own behalf," Sunderland said. "Then that will be sent in to the compliance office, and after that [we'll find out] when that group meets through the Big Ten and the NCAA. "He needs to go through with the mindset right now -- this may be his last opportunity and give it everything he's got and see where the cards fall."
Haas is taking his coach's advice. He hasn't had much time to write any letters in the past week. Instead, he's been readying for his first Big Ten tournament appearance. Haas is seeded eighth at 133-pounds and will face off against the class's top grappler, Illinois' James Kennedy in the first match. No. 3 Kennedy beat Haas, 7-3, earlier this season. "He's a guy that I feel like on a really good day, I could beat him," Haas said. "I feel pretty good in the position I have right now." If Haas beats Kennedy, he will qualify for the NCAA tournament starting on March 20. Anspach is confident his friend will qualify, but if not, the former Lion says Haas will likely have a good shot next season -- with a sixth year of eligibility.
"I really think if Timmy gets another year it'll set him up real nice," Anspach said. "If he was granted another year with a full summer of wrestling freestyle and just getting back in the swing of things, I think next year he can be very successful and reach the goals the coaching staff has on him and he has on himself."
Thanks to Travis Johnson and the "Daily Collegian" (PSU) for the article