Cyler Sanderson, David Erwin and Cameron Wade had first-period pins. Brad Pataky needed just 3:14 to score a technical fall. But Molinaro’s 9-0 major over Andrew Nadhir showed the confidence gained by surviving a blizzard. Nadhir, the Wildcats’ only ranked wrestler, stood little chance against Molinaro, who ended January against Iowa’s Brent Metcalf, Ohio State’s Lance Palmer and Wisconsin’s Kyle Ruschell. A punishing double- leg sent the 13th-ranked Nadhir to his back for a four-point move in the first period. Another double-leg in the second put Nadhir in a major hole. A stalling point and 3:52 of riding time then handed the fourth-ranked Molinaro (24-3) his eighth major decision of the season. “I have been through the storm,” Molinaro said as snow pelted Rec Hall’s exterior. “I wouldn’t say I was more relaxed. I was just as nervous as if I was wrestling Metcalf or Ruschell. But you could feel the difference wrestling the 13th-ranked guy to the top three or four.”
Coach Cael Sanderson said last month’s experiences helped Molinaro. Molinaro 1-2 went against the trio, losing to Metcalf and Palmer and defeating Ruschell. Metcalf pinned Molinaro, but Sanderson liked the way his 149-pounder attacked the 2008 national champ. “When you know you have a tough opponent or tough conference, it’s going to push you a little bit more,” Sanderson said. You’re a little more motivated. He knows what he’s got to do. He’s had a taste of the best competition.”
Penn State’s other nine wrestlers also understand their objectives. But the Nittany Lions (11-5-1, 3-2 Big Ten) received more pep when they left the locker room and noticed 3,841 fans braved a snowstorm to watch a meet against the struggling Wildcats (5-9-1, 0-4). Penn State responded with a dazzling show. Pataky scored 12 points, including 11 on tilts, during the first period of a 15-0 meet-opening technical fall over Levi Mele at 125. Cyler Sanderson and Dan Vallimont took opponents down in the first 10 seconds of the 157-and 165-pound bouts. After his third takedown, Cyler, a 157-pounder, readjusted a cradle to pin Kevin Bialka in 1:59. Vallimont then converted three first-period takedowns on his way to majoring Robert Kellogg 21-9 at 165.
David Erwin joined the highlight reel with an explosive pin at 184. Erwin turned momentum created from Jones holding his left leg into a roll. When Erwin popped up, he took Jones to his back. Erwin readjusted, completing the fall in 2:32. One veteran wrestling writer sitting on press row called the move a bicycle. Erwin referred to it as an elevator. Whatever the name, it pleased the crowd. “I’ve hit it a couple of times,” said Erwin, who pinned Ohio State’s Alex Picazo with a similar move in 2008. “It’s fun to hit. It makes the crowd happy.” Penn State’s quickest pin was its final one as heavyweight Cameron Wade took down Marcus Shrewsbury and flipped him with a half-nelson. Wade needed just 1:29 to deck the undersized Shrewsbury. “You just wanted to go out there and keep the streak going,” Wade said.
The Lions earned bonus points in all seven victories. Adam Lynch, who has defeated three ranked Big Ten opponents, received a forfeit at 141. Northwestern earned its only bonus point at 197, where John Schoen majored Clay Steadman 13-4. A takedown with six seconds left allowed Northwestern’s Brian Roddy to edge Justin Ortega 5-4 at 174 while Wildcat 133-pounder Eric Metzler defeated Bryan Pearsall 8-4. “I thought we wrestled really good,” Molinaro said. “Everyone looked real relaxed. Nobody held back anything.”
The victory was Penn State’s second-most lopsided win during Cael Sanderson’s brief tenure. The Nittany Lions, who host Michigan on Sunday, hammered Harvard 36-6 at the Sprawl and Brawl Duals on Nov. 22. Penn State held a 19-9 takedown advantage and didn’t allow a nearfall point against Northwestern. Sanderson expects similar performances in the future. “We want to wrestle an exciting style and continue to score takedowns and have fun out there,” Sanderson said. “If we do all those things, obviously the result and everything else falls into place.”
Thanks to the Guy Cipriano and the "Centre Daily Times" (State College, Pa.) for the article