True freshman Frank Martellotti (Pittsburgh, Pa.) continued his torrid season by claiming a key 5-2 win at 125, improving to 5-0 on the year. Sophomore Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) then added a 7-4 win at 133 to give the Nittany Lions an early 6-0 lead. True freshman Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 12 at 141, was forced past the first period for the first time this year by national qualifier Trevor Melde. Alton notched the bout's only takedowns to notch an impressive 7-4 win and stay undefeated at 5-0 as well.
Two-time All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), ranked No. 3 at 149, made his season debut in fine fashion with a hard-fought win over No. 13 Mario Mason of Rutgers. True freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), ranked No. 6 at 157, dominated No. 18 Daryl Cocozzo on his way to a 13-3 major, putting Penn State up 16-0 after five bouts. Taylor is also a perfect 5-0.
Rutgers' Scott Winston, ranked No. 8 at 165, picked up RU's first points with a hard fought win over Penn State freshman Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa.), who was ranked No. 12. Winston got the 8-2 win to cut Penn State's lead to 16-3. Red-shirt freshman Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), ranked No. 14 at 174, stayed perfect on the year with a strong 11-5 win over Rutgers senior Alex Caruso at 174.
All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), ranked No. 6 at 184, needed a late takedown of Rutgers' Dan Rinaldi to force an extra period and then took Rinaldi down quickly to post a 6-4 (SV) win. The Scarlet Knights picked up a major at 197 to cut Penn State's lead to 22-7. In one of the bout's marquee match-ups, No. 6 D.J. Russo downed Penn State junior Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) 7-2 at heavyweight to make the final score 22-10 in Penn State's favor.
The Nittany Lions won seven of ten bouts against Rutgers and closed out the 3-0 day at the Duals by winning 26 of 30. Penn State won the takedown battle with RU 19-7 and posted a daunting 60-10 edge in takedowns over the course of the day's three duals. Penn State's 5-0 start to the season is its best since it began the 2007-08 season 6-0.
Penn State, under the guidance of head coach Cael Sanderson, returns to action on Sunday, Dec. 5, when it takes part in the Nittany Lion Open. Action begins in Rec Hall at 8:30 a.m. The Nittany Lions' next home dual is on Dec. 12 when Lock Haven comes to town for a 2 p.m. dual. Fans wishing to purchase single dual meet tickets for the 2010-11 Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling season can place their orders by calling 814-865-5555 or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket pricing is $8 for adults and $5 for youth, and there will be a limit of eight tickets per order. Group sales are also available. The 2010-11 Penn State wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline. All Penn State events will once again air live on Forever Broadcasting's WRSC (1390 AM) and WSQV (92.1 FM). All radio broadcasts are streamed live at GoPSUsports.com as part of the All-Access package. The 2010-11 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
#6 Penn State 22, #24 Rutgers 10
125: Frank Martellotti PSU dec. Matt Fusco RU, 5-2 3-0
133: Bryan Pearsall PSU dec. Joe Langel RU, 7-4 6-0
141: #12 Andrew Alton dec. Trevor Melde RU, 7-4 9-0
149: #3 Frank Molinaro PSU dec. #13 Mario Mason RU, 4-3 12-0
157: #6 David Taylor PSU maj. dec. #18 Daryl Cocozzo RU, 13-3 16-0
165: #8 Scott Winston RU dec. #12 Jake Kemerer PSU, 8-2 16-3
174: #14 Ed Ruth PSU dec. Alex Caruso RU, 11-5 19-3
184: #6 Quentin Wright PSU dec. (SV) Dan Rinaldi RU, 6-4 (SV) 22-3
197: Mike Wagner RU maj. dec. Nick Ruggear PSU, 8-0 22-7
285: #6 D.J. Russo RU dec. #9 Cameron Wade PSU, 7-2 22-10
Attendance: 550
Records: Penn State 5-0 (0-0 Big Ten), Rutgers 4-1
Up Next for Penn State: Nittany Lion Open, Sunday, Dec. 5, 8:30 a.m.
BOUT-BY-BOUT:
125: True freshman Frank Martellotti (Pittsburgh, Pa.) met Rutgers' Matt Fusco at 125. Martellotti used a swift counter to slip down to a double leg and get the bout's first takedown. A quick Fusco escape cut the lead to 2-1 and action resumed in the center circle. After an even period, Martellotti nearly picked up a late takedown but time wound down and action moved to the second period with the Nittany Lion freshman leading 2-1. Martellotti chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead. The duo battled evenly once again, with neither man mounting a serious scoring threat until Fusco nearly scored at the period's end. But the clock once again struck zero and action headed to the third period. Fusco chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to a 3-2 deficit. Martellotti got in deep on Fusco's ankle and tried to step around for a takedown. But Fusco was able to work his way out of bounds and stay close. Martellotti countered a Fusco shot and nearly scored once again, but once again a reset was called. Fusco shot low and tried to score, but Martellotti worked through the shot and notched a bout icing takedown, posting a 5-2 decision and giving the Lions an early lead.
133: Sophomore Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) took on Rutgers Joe Langel. Pearsall quickly gained control of Langel's shoulders, got a quick takedown and nearly pinned the Scarlet Knight. Langel was able to work out of trouble but the three point near fall gave Pearsall a 5-1 lead (he was called for an illegal hold, giving up a point). After a reset, Pearsall got called for a stall warning for hanging on Langel's ankle. Still in control, however, Pearsall was able to build up more than two minutes worth of riding time with a ride out. Trailing by four, Langel chose down to start the second period but once again could not break free of Pearsall's strong control. The Nittany Lion sophomore continued to try and turn the Scarlet Knight. Pearsall's dominating ride out gave the Lion more than 4:00 in riding time and a 5-2 lead (Pearsall gave up a stall point with :10 on the clock). Leading by three with a guaranteed riding time point, Pearsall chose down to start the final period and escaped to a 6-2 lead. Langel used a nifty trip to get his first takedown and cut Pearsall's lead to 6-4 with :40 on the clock. Langel worked for a turning combination, but Pearsall was able to fight off every effort and post a strong 7-4 decision.
141: True freshman Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 12 nationally at 141, met RU national qualifier Trevor Melde. Once again, Alton scored in the first :20, taking a 2-1 lead after a quick Melde escape. Alton countered a Melde shot and picked up his second takedown with :45 on the clock to lead 4-2 after another RU escape. Alton led by two and for the first time in his collegiate career, had to go the second period. Melde chose down to start the period and escaped to a 4-3 deficit. Melde was able to keep Alton at a distance and the Nittany Lion took that slim 4-3 lead into the third period. Alton chose down to start the final two minutes and quickly escaped to a 5-3 lead. Alton countered a low Melde shot, gained control of his left ankle and slipped down for a double leg to lead 7-3 after the takedown. Melde escaped to a 7-4 deficit with :17 on the clock but Alton continued to pressure Melde and grabbed an impressive 7-4 win over the national qualifier.
149: Two-time All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), ranked No. 3 nationally at 149, made his season debut against Rutgers, taking on No. 13 Mario Mason. After missing the season's first four duals with an injury, Molinaro battled the former Minnesota Golden Gopher evenly for the bulk of the first period, forcing Mason backwards until scoring on a fast, high double with 1:00 left. Leading 2-0, Molinaro began building up a solid riding time edge, not allowing Mason any room to move. Mason managed an escape with :06 left to cut the lead to 2-1 after three minutes. Molinaro chose down and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead to start the middle stanza. Mason nearly scored at the 1:00 mark, working a low single into a near takedown. But Molinaro was able to escape his grasp and force a reset in the center circle. Mason once again nearly scored but Molinaro was able to quickly roll out of trouble with :04 left and maintain his 3-1 lead. Trailing by two, Mason chose down to start the final period. Molinaro had :48 in riding time and needed to hold Mason down for :12 to build up a time edge. Molinaro managed that feat and then added to it, keeping control of the ranked Knight grappler until the 1:10 mark (giving him 1:39 in time). Mason's escape cut Molinaro's lead to 3-2. Mason got in on Molinaro's right leg and Molinaro gave up a point for fleeing the mat with :10 on the clock. The tie score was brief, however, as Molinaro got the 4-3 win with the riding time point.
157: Red-shirt freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), ranked No. 6 nationally at 157, faced off against No. 18 Daryl Cocozzo of Rutgers, a fifth-year senior. Taylor was relentless against the veteran Knight, forcing the action and his opponent back to the edge of the mat for nearly two minutes. But Cocozzo was able to tie Taylor up and force stalemates early on. Taylor, however, scored off a quick low single at the 1:07 mark to take a 2-0 lead. Taylor then put together a dominating ride for the rest of the period and led 2-0 with 1:07 in riding time after one period. Taylor chose down to start the middle stanza. Cocozzo tried to turn Taylor, but the Lion quickly reversed Cocozzo and turned him to his back for two near fall points and a 6-0 lead. Trailing by six, Cocozzo chose neutral to start the third period, but Taylor once again stepped around a Cocozzo shot to pick up his third takedown and lead 8-0. With the riding time point secured, Taylor gave up the escaped at the 1:08 mark and led 8-1. The Lion freshman continued to dominate the veteran RU grappler, using a low double to take Cocozzo down. He cut him loose to a 10-2 lead and turned into his foe, looking for more offense. He added one more takedown, gave up a point on an illegal hold, and added the riding time point to post a 13-3 major over the ranked Scarlet Knight. The win put Penn State up 16-0.
165: Red-shirt freshman Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa.), ranked No. 12 nationally at 165, met No. 8 Scott Winston in a key match-up. Winston got the bout's first takedown with a solid high double early in the opening stanza. Winston was strong on top, nearly turning Kemerer for back points. But the Lion freshman was able to fight off the red-shirt sophomore's efforts and kept the lead at 2-0. Still, the strong Winston ride lasted the remainder of the period. Leading 2-0 with 2:37 in riding time, Winston chose down to start the second period. He quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead and action resumed in the center circle. Winston used a quick high shot with :08 on the clock to tack on a key takedown and lead 5-0 after two periods. Kemerer chose neutral to start the third period (but Winston had the riding time point secured). Kemerer stepped around a Winston shot for his first takedown but Winston quickly reversed the Lion as he tried for near fall points. Kemerer was unable to break free from a tenacious Winston ride and the Scarlet Knight grappler posted a solid 8-2 win in the battle of ranked grapplers.
174: Red-shirt freshman Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), ranked No. 14 nationally at 174, battled talented Rutgers senior Alex Caruso. The veteran RU grappler used a low double to take Ruth down on the edge of the mat for an early 2-0 lead. Ruth escaped to a 2-1 deficit :41 later and action resumed in the middle of the mat. Ruth pressured Caruso over the last minute plus, but the Scarlet Knight grappler was able to back out of bounds three straight times to carry his slim 2-1 lead into the second period. Ruth chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 2-2 tie (Caruso had :48 in riding time). Ruth turned in on a low double at the 1:45 mark to take a 4-2 lead. Ruth then dominated the veteran Knight, working off Caruso's time advantage and building up a 1:00 edge of his own with a ride-out. Trailing by two, Caruso chose neutral to start the third period. Ruth gained control of Caruso's right leg and steadily worked his way to another takedown at the 1:21 mark, upping his lead to 6-2. Looking for a major, Ruth cut Caruso loose and then quickly blew through the RU grappler with a high double leg to take an 8-4 lead (after cutting him loose once more). Ruth picked up a fourth takedown with :40 left, cut Caruso loose at the :15 mark. Ruth could not add the final takedown but, with the riding time point, posted a convincing 11-5 win.
184: All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), ranked No. 6 at 184, faced off against Dan Rinaldi. Wright fought off an early Rinaldi shot on the edge of the mat with 1:15 left to keep the bout scoreless. Rinaldi's shot was the only real offense of the opening period and the bout moved to the second stanza tied 0-0. Wright chose down to start the period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Rinaldi countered a high Wright shot, looking for a takedown with a low single. But Wright stepped over his back and forced a stalemate at the 1:37 mark. Wright took a solid low shot at the :54 mark, but a potentially dangerous call ended the move. Trailing by one, Rinaldi chose down to start the final period. As Wright looked to turn Rinaldi, the Knight rolled over on top of the Lion sophomore and reversed him. He then added two near fall points and opened up a stunning 4-1 lead with 1:15 on the clock. Wright escaped after a reset with :35 on the clock. He then tripped Rinaldi to the ground in front of Penn State's bench right off a reset, tying the bout at 4-4 with :22 on the clock. Rinaldi worked feverishly for an escape, but Wright was able to ride him out and send the bout to a sudden victory period. Wright was able to wrap his arms around Rinaldi just :12 into the extra stanza and toss him to the ground for a 6-4 win, putting Penn State up 22-3.
197: Freshman Nick Ruggear (Oxford, Pa.) took on fellow freshman Mike Wagner at 197. Ruggear had the first solid scoring attempt, nearly turning a low single into a lead. But Wagner was able to step out of bounds and force a reset with 1:20 on the clock. Wagner then took a 2-0 lead with a takedown at the :51 mark. Wagner rode Ruggear out and led by two heading into the second period. Ruggear chose down to begin the second stanza but Wagner was able to ride the young Nittany Lion for the entire two minutes. Leading by two with nearly 3:00 in time to his credit, Wagner chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. Ruggear shot low on Wagner, but Wagner countered and stepped behind Ruggear for another takedown and a 5-0 lead (with a time point clinched). Wagner added two near fall points at the end of the bout and rolled to an 8-0 major.
285: Junior Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio), ranked No. 9 nationally at heavyweight, met No. 6 D.J. Russo in a key battle of big men. Russo shot low on Wade, taking the Lion down and nearly picking up two near fall points. Wade rolled through the move but still found himself on the wrong end of a 2-0 score. The ranked duo battled for position in the middle of the mat with Russo maintaining control for the rest of the period. Leading 2-0 with 1:15 in time, Russo chose down to start the second period and deftly reversed Wade for a 4-0 lead. But Wade countered with his own reversal at the 1:10 mark to cut the lead to 4-2. Wade kept control of Russo's left arm, trying to roll Russo for back points. But Russo slipped out of Wade's grasp and got a critical reversal with just :01 on the clock to lead 6-2 with :43 in time after two periods. Wade chose down to start the final period but could not break free of Russo's ride. The sixth-ranked Knight kept control of the action for the remainder of the period and, with the riding time point, posted a strong 7-2 win.
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