Grapplers go the extra mile for success

A grueling seven-minute match is entering its final seconds, and both wrestlers have given everything they have. The score is tied, as both have displayed an even amount of technical skill and ability.

However, earlier in the week, one wrestler ran one lap more than his opponent. The same wrestler did 15 extra pull-ups and jumped rope for an extra 20 minutes.

That wrestler will win the match.

This is the philosophy the No. 4 Penn State wrestling team adopts when it comes to conditioning. The team believes intense physical training is the only way to obtain the level of fitness necessary to compete and win against the college wrestling elite.

Wrestlers are sometimes known for their tremendous work ethic. They are perceived as possessing a willingness to endure intense physical pain.

Penn State wrestlers are proving that perception can be true.

Every Nittany Lion is required to take part in a run from Rec Hall to the top of Mt. Nittany in addition to running every step in Beaver Stadium. Some workouts can cause wrestlers to vomit or pass out.

"They push past the psychological limit," Penn State coach John Fritz said.

Fritz emphasized the importance of maintaining a high level of intensity. He said when wrestlers are able to push past their limits, they obtain a higher level of fitness. This extra level of fitness can help win matches.

One wrestler who knows about winning is Kerry McCoy, the No. 1-ranked heavyweight in the nation and winner of 52 straight matches.

McCoy is dedicated to hard work and conditioning. He said his goal is to reach peak condition when the NCAA tournament rolls around.

He works on distance running before the start of the season, switches to more weight lifting and wrestling workouts during the first half of the season before switching back to more distance running.

McCoy admits hating what he calls the "dreaded run" from Rec Hall to Mt. Nittany.

Besides the Mt. Nittany and Beaver Stadium runs, Penn State wrestlers engage in many other training techniques.

Mike Szott, Penn State's assistant strength and conditioning coach, is one person in charge of training the wrestlers. Szott trains athletes from all the other Penn State sports but said that wrestlers work the hardest.

"People don't understand the commitment it takes," Szott said. "Of all sports, the commitment is the biggest jump from high school to college."

Most wrestlers work out at least twice a day, with one consisting of actual practice and the other devoted to conditioning. Wrestlers can do a variety of different things to improve fitness. Traditional exercises like pushups, sit-ups, pull-ups and jumping rope are still popular.

Running and is also important. Wrestlers often will vary their runs from several miles one day to sprints of 30, 40, or 50 yards another day.

Frank Morici, who wrestles at 177 pounds, is not an avid running fan, but he recognizes the benefits.

"I hate to run," he said, "but it's got to be done."

Another workout despised by most wrestlers is a drill called mat crawls. Mat crawls require wrestlers to crawl or hop across the mat in a variety of different positions as fast as they can and are excruciatingly tiring.

No matter the workout, it is always important to go all out. Szott helps to provide the extra motivation it takes to obtain this goal.

"I help them to trust to let it all go," Szott said, "and to give 100 percent."

It can take a lot of self determination to push training to the limits of physical exhaustion. Using their opponents as an inspiration often helps wrestlers take it to the next level.

While he's in training, Biff Walizer, who wrestles at 126 and 134 pounds, imagines his opponents doing the same.

"I think, 'My opponents are probably doing extra stuff,' " Walizer said. "They're probably getting tough."

Glenn Pritzlaff, ranked No. 2 nationally at 167 pounds, is motivated to train by the simple factor that it helps him win.

"Winning motivates," he said. "Conditioning is a great equalizer."

Kris Clark, director of sports nutrition at Penn State, helps wrestlers eat the right kinds of food to stay fit. While Clark points out that each individual possess different dieting needs, it is important that wrestlers eat as many healthy foods as possible.

"Diet plays a critical role in energy level," Clark said.

For many wrestlers eating the right foods can be almost as difficult as a session of mat crawls.

McCoy confesses to being a "junk food junkie." Still, he tries to avoid temptations such as cookies and cakes because he realizes that diet is an important part of wrestling. He notices many of his heavyweight opponents "don't take care of their bodies."

Jason Betz, ranked No. 10 at 126 pounds, also tries to eat as many healthy foods as possible, although he's "not much of a vegetable eater." He also tries to stay away from fast food during the season.

Maintaining a certain weight is critical for most wrestlers. In order to weigh in at their proper weight, wrestlers usually have to practice a technique called cutting weight. Cutting weight means losing a large amount of weight in a little amount of time, as much as eight pounds in a day.

The practice of cutting weight can be controversial. Some critics question the safety of such drastic weight loss. They associate cutting weight with wrestlers starving themselves for days in order to make weight.

If done properly, however, cutting weight is actually relatively safe. It is critical that wrestlers use basic common sense when going about dropping weight.

Fritz said cutting weight isn't a problem as long as his wrestlers "learn how to be smart about it." It is important for wrestlers to drink plenty of water.

In order to lose weight for weigh-in, which takes place a day before each match, wrestlers try to sweat off the excess pounds, often by wearing heavy sweatpants while either sitting in a sauna or exercising heavily.

Morici said sometimes he gets "a little dizzy" while cutting weight, but the practice never has affected his performance.

Pritzlaff doesn't think cutting weight is very dangerous. He said he normally loses up to seven pounds during a week of practice.

As hard as cutting weight and engaging in intense physical training may sound, the wrestlers understand a little suffering is necessary to obtain success. This season Penn State is gunning for a national championship, and the team is aware this will only come as the result of hard work.

"I think of the benefits," Betz said. "Hopefully, this work will pay off."