Penn State's two starting freshmen recorded pins to lead the way in the wrestling team's 34-3 blowout of Cleveland State (3-5) yesterday afternoon at Rec Hall.

The Lions' victory raises their record to 11-4 and increases their unbeaten streak against Eastern Wrestling League opponents to 55. Penn State wrestlers have gone 31-9 in the last four matches.

"I was pleased with the effort," Coach Rich Lorenzo said. "We took control of the matches. I saw some bright things. Cleveland State has a few nice kids and we took the fight out of them right away."

"It was a get-ready-for Nationals match," heavyweight Greg Haladay said. Haladay, ranked fifth by Amateur Wrestling News, increased his record to 21-2-1 with a 10-4 victory over Jeff Scherma (13-5).

Shawn Nelson, a 118-pounder, pinned Andy Brown at 4:49 for an early 6-0 Penn State lead. Adam Mariano (15-4-3), who is recovering from strep throat, took even less time at 177, manhandling Mike Millward (11-8) for a fall in 1:38.

"When you're sick you don't want to stay out there too long because it wears you down," Mariano said.

Mariano won the Ridge Riley Award, an honor going to the Lions' outstanding wrestler.

"What's nice is to get confidence when you're young so you're not timid when you go up against a good wrestler," Lorenzo said of the two freshmen. "Shawn and Adam have kept their self-esteem up and are getting the maximum effort out of themselves."

Both Nelson and Mariano exploded on their opponents. Nelson scored a quick takedown and followed up with a tilt for two near-fall points. He worked the bar in the second period to force Brown onto his back for the pin.

Mariano used sheer strength to throw Millward onto his back with a pancake, garnering five points. After Millward worked back to his base, Mariano used the bar to turn his opponent for the pin.

"I thought Adam did great," Lorenzo said. "He had a tough opponent and took control right away. He used his skills to the maximum. Shawn also took control right at the beginning."

Jeff Ellis, a 190-pounder, returned yesterday after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee over the Christmas holiday. Ellis (12-3) defeated Bob Benson, 9-2.

Bob Truby (14-4-1) held on to the title of Lion top-scorer, with a major decision of Jerry Brady (1-8) at 134, adding four team points for a total of 48 on the season. He is closely followed by Mariano and Haladay, each with 43 points.

"Truby's opponent just wanted to stay off his back," Lorenzo said. "If the guy had gone out to wrestle Bob the match probably wouldn't have gone all the way. (Brady) had a job to do and that was not to give Penn State six (team points)."

The Vikings' only victory came at 158, a rematch of last year's bout, in which Penn State's Mark Verratti tied Matt Peters. This year Peters (14-5) got the upperhand, defeating Verratti, 7-2.

Other results: Jeff Prescott (9-2-1) defeated Jim Lightner, 5-0, at 126; Chad Dubin (9-9) defeated Pat McKeon, 6-1, at 142; Mike Bevilacqua (24-3-2) defeated Perry Ohl, 11-4, at 150; and Jason Suter (18-4-1) defeated Mike McKeon (15-5), 3-2, at 167.