After a third-place finish at the NCAA wrestling championships last March, Penn State enters this weekend's wrestle-offs with some key personnel missing but with a lot of optimism.
The Lions return five All-Americans, eight NCAA qualifiers and a national champion among a group that will be favored to win its second national title. While injuries are a problem, depth and strong practices have overshadowed these concerns.
"We have a lot of young guys trying out and we're anxious to see how they're doing," said assistant coach John Fritz.
As a result of injuries and a conflict with the Sunkist Freestyle Open in Phoenix, no matches will take place at 118, 177 and heavyweight. Sanshiro Abe, Shawn Nelson and Troy Sunderland are wrestling this weekend in Arizona.
Like in a relay race, a proficient leadoff man in wrestling is essential. In 118-pound defending national champion Jeff Prescott (22-1), the Lions have all that -- and more. After dominating last season at this weight, Prescott will battle two freshmen for the starting nod at 126 although it's not certain if he'll wrestle on Sunday.
"I think because of his style he could be effective," Fritz said. "You have to be more precise in your technique. I'm not saying that he can't be a national champ at 126. He's not very tall, so if he gets out-leveraged it'll be a test.
"We would like to see him wrestle at 126. That's what we'll be looking for -- to see how he handles taller opponents."
While redshirting last season, Nelson went 19-1 and took three tournament titles. The coaches expect the redshirt sophomore to cause some problems at 118.
"He's real sharp (and) he's national championship caliber," Fritz said.
All-American Bob Truby (39-8) is moving up to 134 and will battle two freshmen for the position. The move has been impressive, thus far prompting Fritz to comment, "Truby's looking real good at 134."
Identical twins John and Russ Hughes will fight it out at 142 along with sophomores Terry Brennan and Jeff Witherite.
While probable 150-pounder Sunderland (33-5-1) is in Phoenix this weekend, freshmen Tony Bobulinski, Pat Flynn and Matt Postlethwait will get it on.
Two-time All-American Tim Wittman (25-7) will take on redshirt freshman Josh Robbins and a cast of thousands at 158.
"That's gonna be a real tough weight," Fritz said.
At 167, Dave Hart (22-8-1) appears to be the man, however, Troy Minnich and Dan Ombalski (6-13-1) both want a crack at him.
The situation at 177, looks bleak. At the present, Hart is the only person listed in that class. Coach Rich Lorenzo said he was one of the "most improved wrestlers on the team last year."
The Lions were stacked at 190 until redshirt sophomore Adam Mariano left school for personal reasons. All-American Matt White (27-7-2) will battle sophomores Mike Kraft (11-21-1) and Rob Piper for the position. It's believed that Mariano will return next semester.
"We're expecting that he will (be back)," Fritz said. "He continues to work out on his own. It could have no negative effect if he approaches it positively."
At heavyweight, despite injuries to Skip Pighetti (7-2-1) and Frank Buchman, this will be a solid class once everyone returns healthy. Lion nose tackle Greg Troxell, a 258-pounder, will join the squad once football season concludes. The redshirt freshman is an outstanding prospect. A product of the prestigious Phillipsburg (N.J.) program, Troxell was twice state, region and district champion. His overall record was 100-10-2 as he never tasted defeat in his last two seasons going 65-0.
The coaches see the wrestle-offs as a way of determining the amount of depth at each weight. On the short of it, Penn State looks formidable at 118 and 126 with Prescott or Nelson and capable in the middle weights. The upper weights become a concern if Pighetti and Buchman aren't completely recovered and if Mariano doesn't return.
In all likelihood, the Lions will be ranked third behind defending champion Iowa and runnerup Oklahoma State -- with both squads returning all 10 NCAA qualifiers --when the Amateur Wrestling News' poll is released in a few weeks. Penn State, however, is looking for pay dirt this season, like, in a national championship.
"They (Iowa and Oklahoma State) look tough on and off paper," Fritz said. "However, we don't strive to be the third-best team. We aim to be the best and we have the ability to do that."
