Thatcher rescues wrestlers

Penn State wrestling coach John Fritz was ready to forfeit the match and take the loss. Ross Thatcher wasn't.

Trailing Pittsburgh 13-15 going into the heavyweight match without regular heavyweight Mark Janus (bruised ribs) and without his replacement, freshman Pete Mielnik, Fritz was about to surrender.

But Thatcher, unwilling to hand over the victory, volunteered to move up from 177/190 pounds to wrestle Pitt's heavyweight Matt Mueler.

"We were going to forfeit heavyweight," Fritz said. "Ross Thatcher says, 'Coach, we can't do that. I'll go.' "

In a match comparable to David vs. Goliath, Thatcher took down Mueler as Penn State came from behind to beat Pittsburgh 16-15 at Fitzgerald Field House on Saturday. Penn State also defeated Ohio State 20-12 the previous night in Columbus.

Thanks to Thatcher's courage, Penn State cruised to its fourth straight win.

"He wrestled very smart and we were able to get the win," Fritz said. "We feel very fortunate. I don't feel like we stole a win. We wrestled hard, and when you wrestle hard you put yourself in a position to win."

Thatcher wasn't just the savior Saturday night. Against Ohio State Friday night, the Columbus native made his first appearance since injuring his knee at the national duals.

With the Lions ahead 20-9, Thatcher's decision of Eric Wood at 190 pounds all but secured the Penn State victory. Mielnik, Janus' replacement, lost to Buckeye heavyweight Matt Mondalek and hurt his knee in the process. The next morning, Mielnik's knee was too sore for wrestling, leaving Penn State without a heavyweight and paving the way for Thatcher's heroics in Pittsburgh.

"That takes a lot of guts on his parts, giving up 60 pounds," Lion 126-pounder Jason Betz said. "We've always had a lot of trouble against Pitt, they're a tough team."

Freshman 142-pounder Jamarr Billman continued his hot streak with two more decisions. Clint Musser also posted two decisions at 158 pounds, giving him 19 straight. Musser hasn't lost since Nov. 29.

After coming off two wins last weekend, Betz lost twice this weekend, to Ohio State's Robbie Archer and Pittsburgh's Rob Loper, one of the team's best wrestlers.

"I have to look to next week and the overall picture," Betz said. "(I'll be fine) as long as I take something out of each loss and improve on it. We kept focus on our goal and what we had to do."

The Lions have only two dual meets remaining, both on the road. Next week the Lions are at Lehigh and Lock Haven.