The dual began at 125 where true freshman Nick Suriano (Paramus, N.J.), ranked No. 12 nationally, made his collegiate debut with a strong 15-4 major decision over Army West Point's Trey Chalifoux. Sophomore Jered Cortez (Carol Stream, Ill.), ranked No. 9 at 133, made his collegiate and Penn State debut and added his own major decision, posting a 14-1 win over Austin Harry to put the Nittany Lions up 8-0 early.
Senior Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.), ranked No. 12 at 141, met No. 17 Logan Everett in one of the dual's most anticipated match-ups and dominated the action. Gulibon rolled up five takedowns and a four-point near fall to post a 17-6 major over the ranked Black Knight. Defending NCAA Champion Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 149, then dominated Matt Kelly on his way to a 21-3 technical fall at the 6:31 mark. Sophomore Jason Nolf (Yatesboro, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 157, sent Penn State into the halftime break on a high note with a dazzling pin of No. 14 Russ Parsons at the 2:19 mark. The fall, the 16th of Nolf's career, gave Penn State a 23-0 lead at intermission.
Red-shirt freshman Vincenzo Joseph (Pittsburgh, Pa.), ranked No. 8 at 165, made his Nittany Lion debut in fine fashion, posting a dominating 21-6 tech fall at the 5:36 mark over Black Knight Andrew Mendel. Senior Geno Morelli (DuBois, Pa.), and NCAA qualifier at 165 last year, moved up to 174 and posted a 4-2 win over Army West Point's Ben Harvey to put the Lions up 31-0. Sophomore Bo Nickal (Allen, Texas), NCAA finalist at 174 last year and ranked No. 3 at 184 this season, dazzled the fans with a quick throw and pin of West Point's Samson Imonode, getting the fall at the 0:25 mark.
Junior Matt McCutcheon (Apollo, Pa.), two-time NCAA qualifier at 184 and ranked No. 16 at 197, kept Penn State's shut-out hopes alive with a thrilling 4-2 win over No. 11 Rocco Caywood. McCutcheon used a first period takedown and late defense of a solid Caywood shot to grab the win at his new weight. Sophomore Nick Nevills (Clovis, Calif.), ranked No. 14 at 285, capped off the outstanding team win with a dominant performance of his own. Nevills used four takedowns and two four point near falls to roll to a 17-2 tech fall over David Farr at the 4:31 mark to secure the 45-0 shutout victory.
The Nittany Lions are now 1-0 on the year and have won 18 straight duals dating back to the end of the 2014-15 campaign. Penn State posted a strong 36-3 takedown edge in the season opener and picked up 15 bonus points off two falls, three tech falls and three majors. This marks the second straight season that Penn State has opened up its campaign with a shutout victory. The Nittany Lions posted a 50-0 home win over Lock Haven last November in Rec Hall. This is Penn State's first road shutout since a 35-0 win at Michigan State on Feb. 1, 2015. Penn State started six underclassmen in the dual and had three wrestlers (Suriano, Cortez and Joseph) win in their collegiate debuts. The victory was the 99th dual win for head coach Cael Sanderson at Penn State in his eighth season and his 143rd overall. Sanderson is 99-14-2 at Penn State, 143-24-2 overall (11th year).
Penn State hosts No. 12 Stanford on Sunday, Nov. 13, in its home opener. The dual begins at 2 p.m. in sold out Rec Hall. Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. The 2015-16 Penn State wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here.
Results:
125: #12 Nick Suriano PSU maj. dec. Trey Chalifoux AWP, 15-4 4-0
133: #9 Jered Cortez PSU maj. dec. Austin Harry AWP, 14-1 8-0
141: #12 Jimmy Gulibon PSU maj. dec. #17 Logan Everett AWP, 17-6 12-0
149: #1 Zain Retherford PSU tech fall Matt Kelly AWP, 21-3 (TF; 6:31) 17-0
157: #1 Jason Nolf PSU pinned #14 Russ Parsons AWP, WBF (2:19) 23-0
165: #8 Vincenzo Joseph PSU tech fall Andrew Mendel AWP, 21-6 (TF; 5:36) 28-0
174: Geno Morelli PSU dec. Ben Harvey AWP, 6-4 31-0
184: #3 Bo Nickal PSU pinned Samson Imonode AWP, WBF (1:03) 37-0
197: #16 Matt McCutcheon PSU dec. #11 Rocco Caywood AWP, 4-2 40-0
285: #14 Nick Nevills PSU tech fall David Farr AWP, 17-2 (TF; 4:31) 45-0
Attendance: 1,898
Records: Penn State 1-0, 0-0 B1G; Army West Point 0-1
Up Next for Penn State: home vs. #12 Stanford, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2 p.m. (Rec Hall)
BOUT-BY-BOUT:
125: True freshman Nick Suriano (Paramus, N.J.), ranked No. 12 at 125, made his collegiate debut against Army's Trey Chalifoux. Suriano notched his first collegiate takedown at the 2:23 mark to take an early 2-1 lead. The Lion freshman then worked his way around Chalifoux's waste for a second takedown and a 4-1 lead midway through the opening period. Suriano built up a :52 riding time edge before cutting Chalifoux loose, then took him down a third time for a 6-2 lead. Leading 6-2 with 1:48 in riding time, Suriano chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 7-2 lead. The Lion freshman blew through a fast low double to move out to a 10-3 lead with :33 on the clock and picked up another takedown at the :05 mark to lead 11-3 with 1:58 in time after two periods. Chalifoux chose down to start the final period and Suriano dominated action on top. Suriano picked up a point on a second stall and clinched the riding time point. Suriano cut Chalifoux loose on a reset and led 12-4. He picked up a final takedown at the :08 mark and rode Chalifoux out. The riding time point gave Suriano a 15-4 major in his Lion debut.
133: Sophomore Jered Cortez (Carol Stream, Ill.), ranked No. 9 at 133, made his collegiate and Penn State debut against Army's Austin Harry. Cortez fought off an early Harry shot, countered with a low single and forced Harry off the mat for a first stall warning. Cortez connected on a low single, worked his way into control of both legs and picked up his first Lion takedown at the :54 mark of the first period. Cortez then worked Harry's shoulders to the mat for a two-point near fall, reset himself, and then picked up a four-point near fall as the period ended to lead 8-0 after the first period. Cortez chose down to start the second period and steadily worked his way to an escape and a 9-0 lead. The duo battled evenly until the final :10 when Cortez blew through a fast low double for a takedown and an 11-0 lead. Harry chose neutral to start the third period. Cortez was steady on his feet, waiting for his opening and once again using a fast low double to take Harry down, upping his lead to 13-0 with 1:00 on the clock. He then controlled action from the top position long enough to build up a 1:26 riding time edge before cutting him loose to a 13-1 score. Harry held Cortez off to prevent the tech fall but Cortez picked up one more point on riding time and posted the 14-1 major.
141: Senior Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.), ranked No. 12 at 141, took on No. 17 Logan Everett of Army West Point. Gulibon worked his way into a deep single led and picked up the takedown to lead 2-1 after a quick Everett escape. The ranked duo battled evenly for the next minute-plus but neither wrestler would score and Gulibon led 2-1 after one. Gulibon chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped. Without losing contact with Everett, the Lion senior grabbed the Knight's ankle and took him down to up his lead to 5-2 after a quick Everett score. Everett scored quickly after that exchange and Gulibon escaped to a 6-4 score. The Lion senior kept up the pressure and took Everett down a third time to up his lead to 8-4. A strong ride after that allowed Gulibon to build up a 1:04 riding time edge with a rideout. Everett chose down to start the third period and Gulibon broke the Black Knight down once again to pad his riding time advantage. Everett escaped at the 1:24 mark to cut Gulibon's lead to 8-5 but the Lion senior was furious in the center of the mat, working his way into control of both Everett's ankles for another takedown. He cut Everett loose and took him down quickly again. This time he turned Everett for a near fall, picking up four points and riding him out for a 17-6 major including 2:38 in riding time.
149: Junior Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 149, met Army's Matt Kelly. Retherford forced Kelly into a first stall and then quickly took him down to lead 2-0 at the 1:56 mark. Retherford put together a strong ride on top, working Kelly's belly flat to the mat. Retherford cut Kelly loose on a rest at the :59 mark and then commenced his offensive pressure. His lead moved to 3-1 after a second Kelly stall and carried that lead into the second period, along with :57 in riding time. Retherford chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-1 lead. Retherford turned a low shot into a takedown and a 6-1 lead with 1:32 on the clock. He cut Kelly loose, quickly took him down again and cut him once more. His third takedown of the period put Retherford up 10-3 with :40 on the clock and this time, the Lion junior went to work on top, looking to turn Kelly for a pin. Retherford picked up four near fall points to lead 14-3 with 1:50 in riding time after two. Retherford picked up another point on another Kelly stall and then forced a scramble in the middle of the mat. He picked up a takedown at the 1:20 mark to lead 17-3. Retherford turned Kelly to his back and then spent nearly a minute trying to pick up the fall. Kelly fought off the attempt and Retherford settled for a 21-3 tech fall at the 6:31 mark.
157: Sophomore Jason Nolf (Yatesboro, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 157, battled No. 14 Russ Parsons of Army West Point. Nolf drew first blood in the ranked match-up and cut Parsons loose for a 2-1 lead. Parsons attacked immediately and surprised Nolf with a takedown to take a brief 3-2 lead. But Nolf was steady, waiting for an opening and reversed the ranked Knight, nearly taking him to his back in the process. Parsons escaped to a 4-4 score and Nolf entered attack mode. The Lion sophomore worked his way into control of Parson's legs and took a 6-4 lead. Parsons looked for a chance to reverse Nolf, but the Nittany Lion waited for his opening, found it, locked up a cradle and turned Parsons for the pin at the 2:19 mark. The fall was the 16th of Nolf's career.
165: Redshirt freshman Vincenzo Joseph (Pittsburgh, Pa.), ranked No. 8 at 165, made his collegiate debut against junior Andrew Mendel. Joseph was steady and worked his way to his first Nittany Lion takedown at the 2:30 mark. Mendel escaped to a 2-1 and action resumed in the center circle. Joseph took Mendel down quickly after and then turned Mendel for four back points. He cut him loose, used a low shot and took Mendel down once more to lead 10-2 at the 1:20 mark. Joseph cut Mendel loose at the :41 mark and quickly blew through a high double leg takedown to lead 12-3 at the :15 mark. A short rideout gave the Lion a 12-3 lead with 1:40 in time after one. Joseph chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 13-3 lead. He countered a slight Mendel shot, circled his way behind the Knight and upped his lead to 15-4 after cutting Mendel loose. Joseph countered a nice Mendel shot, gained control of the scramble, and tripped the Knight to the mat for a 17-4 lead at the 1:00 mark. Joseph rode Mendel out to lead 17-4 with 2:55 in time after two periods. Mendel chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped. Joseph took him down, cut him loose and took him down one final time to end the match with a 21-6 technical fall at the 5:36 mark.
174: Senior Geno Morelli (DuBois, Pa.) met Army West Point's Ben Harvey at 174. Morelli ended a minute-long scramble in the middle of the mat with control and a takedown to lead 2-0 early in the match. Morelli then put together a strong ride, working to turn Harvey for back points. Harvey was able to fight off Morelli's efforts and forced a reset at the :59 mark. Morelli cut him loose to a 2-1 score and then began looking for another takedown. After a brief blood time out for Harvey, Morelli set the tempo off the reset, looking to control Harvey's shoulders and work his opponent's head down towards the mat. Harvey's defense sent the match to the second period with Morelli leading 2-1 with 1:07 in riding time. Harvey chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 2-2 score at the 1:32 mark (Morelli had 1:30 in riding time. Harvey connected on a low single and nearly took Morelli down on the edge of the mat, but Morelli was able to force a stalemate. The takedown, however, was challenged by Army with 1:17 on the clock. The referee awarded Harvey two points and Morelli trailed 4-2. The Lion escaped quickly and trailed 4-2 at the 1:05 mark. Morelli nearly took the lead as the period ended but Harvey was able to kill the clock before Morelli could finish the takedown. Morelli, trailing 4-3, chose down to start the final period. Harvey got hit for locked hands and then Morelli escaped to lead 5-4, while maintaining his 1:11 in riding time. Morelli fought off a late Harvey single and posted the 6-4 win with 1:11 in riding time.
184: Sophomore Bo Nickal (Allen, Texas), ranked No. 3 at 184, debuted at his new weight against Army's Samson Imonode. Nickal made short work of Imonode, catching the Knight and taking him to his back quickly for a fall in just :25. The pin was the ninth of Nickal's career.
197: Junior Matt McCutcheon (Apollo, Pa.), ranked No. 16 at his new weigh of 197, took on No. 11 Rocco Caywood. McCutcheon and Caywood battled for control in the middle of the mat for nearly two minutes before McCutcheon turned a fast low double into a takedown and a 2-0 lead with 1:15 on the clock. The Lion junior then dominated the action from the top position, trying to turn Caywood for back points but Caywood was able to roll out of trouble for an escape at the :10 mark. Trailing 2-1, Caywood chose down to start the second period. McCutcheon maintained control for nearly :30 before Caywood escaped to a 2-2 tie, but McCutcheon had 1:29 in riding time. The ranked duo then battle evenly, with neither wrestler able to break through as they battled for control. Caywood picked up a stall warning and action moved to the third period tied 2-2. McCutcheon chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 3-2 lead while maintaining a 1:03 riding time edge. Caywood worked his way into control of McCutcheon's left knee at the :20 mark. McCutcheon fought off the move for the final :20, not giving up the takedown and holding on for a 4-2 win over No. 11 Caywood with 1:03 in riding time.
285: Sophomore Nick Nevills (Clovis, Calif.), ranked No. 14 at 285, met West Point's David Farr. Nevills wasted no time taking Farr down. He then put together a strong ride, dominating the action on top while looking to turn the Black Knight for back points. Nevills turned Farr for four near fall points at the 1:02 mark and led 6-0. He then reset himself and turned him once again for four points and led 10-0 with :40 left in the opening period. Nevills chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to an 11-0 lead. Nevills picked up a second takedown with 1:40 on the clock to up his lead to 13-0. He cut Farr loose to a 13-1 score, took him down once more and led 15-1 with 1:10 left to wrestle. Nevills let Farr escape again and then ended the match with a final takedown to post the 17-2 tech fall at the 4:31 mark.
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