Wrestling Wreport: good things come in 4’s

Over 4,000 fans watched as the Penn State Nittany Lions downed Michigan State 26-12 Friday night. It was PSU's 4^th dual win in a row. Cyler Sanderson had his 4^th pin in a row as all 4 seniors went out with a win.

#10 Penn State 26, Michigan State 12

125: #13 Brad Pataky PSU tech. fall over Brenan Lyon MSU, 21-5 (TF; 5:56)
133: #4 Franklin Gomez MSU pinned Bryan Pearsall PSU, WBF (5:25)
141: Adam Lynch PSU dec. Dan Osterman MSU, 7-6
149: #4 Frank Molinaro PSU dec. #12 David Cheza MSU, 11-6
157: #7 Cyler Sanderson PSU pinned Anthony Jones MSU, WBF (2:28)
165: #7 Dan Vallimont PSU dec. Kyle Bounds MSU, 3-1
174: Ian Hinton MSU dec. Justin Ortega PSU, 4-2
184: #10 David Erwin PSU dec. Nick Palmieri MSU, 2-1
197: Tyler Dickenson MSU dec. David Crowell MSU, 6-5
285: #11 Cameron Wade PSU dec. Alan O'Donnell MSU, 6-1

133, 174, and 197

Right now these three weights are just gigantic holes in the lineup. These guys will bow out after 2 matches in the Big Ten Tournament. While it's no surprise Pearsall lost going up against a very good Franklin Gomez, Ortega and Crowell's losses were just very disappointing. Both wrestlers stood around and waited for the 3^rd period to end without even attempting a decent shot and both were within one takedown of their opponents. I don't care if they get pinned but just leaning into their opponent and showing no desire or urgency as time ticks away is just unacceptable.

125

Pataky got his 4^th win in a row (there's that number again) and his second tech fall in the last three duals. In the 4 matches he's won he's done no worse than a major. Brad is really coming on strong lately although some of that might be due to the competition but he's done everything you would want from your first wrestler; get the offense going and score a lot of points.

141

Another match and another gutsy performance by Lynch. Adam was jobbed by the ref at the end of the second period, Osterman was awarded a takedown that wasn't there. All Lynch did was finish strong in the third, roll Osterman to his back for 2 back points and ride him out for the entire third period for the one point win. Lynch is getting better and better and his Big Ten dual record is now 6-1 with one to go.

149, 157, 165

The heart of Penn State's lineup didn't disappoint as all three carried the momentum of Lynch's victory and all won.

Molinaro gave up some late 3^rd period takedowns but for the most part handled Cheza, especially on top where Molinaro rode tough.

Cyler needed to crank up the cradle three times before finally planting Jones at the 2:28 mark. Vallimont had another methodical, boring win making a first period takedown stand.

184, 285

Erwin needed a riding time point to beat Palmieri. Neither wrestler scored a takedown due in large part to Palmieri wrestling a defensive style. Erwin rode Palmieri for almost the entire third period before giving up a meaningless escape in the closing seconds. Like Erwin, Wade had to deal with an unaggressive wrestler as O'Donnell spent most of the bout backing up. Wade used a riding time point and two take takedowns for the final 6-1 victory.

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