Wrestling Wreport

Penn State closed out the dual meet season by pounding Lock Haven 35-8 Saturday night. Starters Garrett Scott at 141, Dan Vallimont at 157, David Erwin at 174 and Phil Bomberger at 184 each sat out, Scott due to flu and the rest to prepare for the Big Ten championships. Going against an overwhelmed and overmatched opponent, the coaches played with the lineup moving Bubba Jenkins up a weight, freshman Mike Eagen moved up two weights to wrestle Jenkins opponent and Michael Lorenzo moved up a weight to fill in for Erwin at 174. Even with all the shuffling and wrestlers having the night off, Penn State still lost only two bouts and walked away with a 14-5 dual meet record for the season.

Senior Mark McKnight received a forfeit at 125 to notch his 100 career collegiate victory. Not exactly the way to get a victory but it's impressive nonetheless. Michael Lorenzo notched his first career dual meet victory while Senior three-time All-American Phil Davis closed out his career with a pin at 197. Penn State ends the season with a 5-3 mark in the Big Ten and now prepares for the Big Ten championships on March 8-9 at Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota. Hopefully the Big Ten network will carry most of the championship, after all, wasn't that the selling point of the network in the first place? I guess we will find out how true to their word they are.

Thank you for four great years Phil!

#7 Penn State 35, Lock Haven 8
Saturday, February 23, 2008 - Lock Haven, Pa.

125: #9 Mark McKnight PSU WB forfeit
133: Tim Haas PSU dec. Billy Ashnault LHU, 7-3
141: Jake Strayer PSU tech. fall George Ester LHU, 19-2 (6:51)
149: Matt Fittery LHU tech. fall Mike Eagen PSU, 21-6 (7:00)
157: #5 Bubba Jenkins PSU maj. dec. John Mangini LHU, 19-8
165: Dave Rella PSU maj. dec. Derek Caldwell LHU, 19-6
174: Michael Lorenzo PSU dec. Michael Metzger LHU, 5-2
184: Jeremie Cook LHU dec. Jack Decker PSU, 3-1 (sv)
197: #3 Phil Davis PSU pinned Ben Hepburn LHU, WBF (5:25)
HWT: John Laboranti PSU maj. dec. Dan Craig LHU, 13-5