By the end of the third session of the Eastern Wrestling League Tournament, every Penn State wrestler had qualified for nationals -- except one.

Jason Suter, the second seed at 158, placed fifth at 158 pounds and needed a wild card berth to qualify for nationals. Coach Rich Lorenzo said Suter earned the wild card because he was a returning All-American.

"The wild card was a blessing," Lorenzo said. "Jason's lucky that the coaches realized he's capable of beating some of the best wrestlers."

Suter was beat on his feet throughout the meet. His opponents chose neutral instead of down because Suter is such a strong rider, and Suter had trouble adjusting.

"Jason's a great person, a great human being, but he's a little bullheaded about learning a few moves that could make him a great wrestler," Lorenzo said.

Bloomsburg's Brian Unkert, a true freshman who also beat him in the season's final dual meet, upset Suter in the first round with two takedowns in the final period. After the match, a hush fell over the crowd.

"I had more doubts about beating him this time," Unkert said. "He's a fifth-year senior, it's the EWL Tournament, it's his own gym. He had much more to lose."

Suter saved himself from elimination with a 4-2 victory over Cleveland State's Mike McKeon in the first round of consolations, but wrestled more tentatively than he did against Unkert.

"He was real nervous and real tight and kept looking at the clock too much, but he's a fifth-year senior and he had to win," Lorenzo said. "It's understandable."

Suter could have qualified for nationals outright by beating Clarion's Scott Henry in the second round of consolations. But Henry dominated on his feet and nearly put Suter on his back as he earned a 14-6 major decision.

Suter then defeated Brian Gear of Edinboro, 4-2, to place fifth and keep his wild card hopes alive.

Suter was unavailable for comment after the meet.

Suter placed second at 158 as a freshman, then failed to place or qualify for nationals as a sophomore. Last year he rebounded to place second at 167 pounds and earn All-America status with an eighth place finish at nationals.