The Cliff Keen National Dual Meet Tournament has been a friendly place for the wrestling team in recent years, but this a new year.

The Lions enter this year's meet in Lincoln, Neb. as the defending champions, but are aware that last year they had a much different team. They are also not going to concern themselves with the pressure that comes with trying to defend a championship.

"I don't know if you can call it pressure," heavywieght Kerry McCoy said. "Last year was last year. We don't want to compare ourselves."

Three times in the past seven years --1987, 1991 and last season -- the Lions emerged from the tournament as team champion.

"We've always had a real balanced team," Coach John Fritz said. "I think it's the team unity and the team concept -- we've always wrestled pretty well as a team."

The Lions enter the meet as the No. 6 seed and battle unseeded Clemson at 11 a.m. tomorrow. If the Lions win, they will meet No. 3 Oregon State or Central Oklahoma at 4 p.m. tomorrow. If the Lions get by the second round, the semifinals will be held at 8 p.m. tomorrow with the finals at 3 p.m. on Sunday. On Penn State's side of the bracket is Oklahoma, Ohio State, Arizona State and Iowa.

"Every team is tough or they wouldn't call it the national duals," Fritz said. "Only the top 16 teams in the country are invited."

The Lions' first match against Clemson will be a good test. Last week, the Tigers took second place at the Virginia Duals, losing only to No. 8 Minnesota in the finals.

"Clemson has a real nice team," Fritz said. "They're very solid all through the lineup."

The anchor of the Tigers' lineup is 118-pounder Sam Henson. Henson, the defending NCAA Champion, stands 19-0 this season after putting together an undefeated season last year.

"He's been wrestling really well," Clemson Coach Gil Sanchez said. "That's going to be a key match."

Shawn Nelson, who lost to Henson last year at nationals, will get a rematch with the nation's best lightweight.

"I'm looking forward to wrestling him," Nelson said. "I watched the tape of last year, but you really can't go by that because it's a different year and everyone changes."

Sanchez is hoping that his team can weather the storm that goes with wrestling Penn State's lower weights.

"They have five tough guys in a row," Sanchez said. "We can't let Penn State blow us out in those matches."

Note:

-- The Lions may be without the services of 190-pounder Mike Kraft, who has been bothered by an injured knee.

"He's doubtful right now," Fritz said. "I'd say there's probably a better chance that he doesn't wrestle."

If Kraft can't make the trip, Rob Piper will be asked to fill the void.