When the No. 5 Lions head to Iowa City, Iowa, for National Team Duals this weekend, they will be without some key members of their starting lineup.

The duals are stacked with stellar competition, as nine of the top 10 teams in the nation will compete, including No. 1 Oklahoma State.

Penn State's Jamarr Billman, who earned All-American accolades last season as a 149 pounder, did not make the plane trip yesterday because his academic records are still under review. Whether he will be eligible for the duration of the season is yet to be determined, and a decision on his eligibility may not come for another few weeks.

As for now, fellow sophomore wrestler Jean Celestin will start in No. 2 Billman's slot. Celestin defeated Brandon Frantz in a wrestle-off at Tuesday's practice to earn the position.

"When I came to Penn State, I knew someday I would start," Celestin said. "I think God has blessed me, and I just have to make the most out of my opportunity."

While Celestin is in the limelight in Iowa, trying to redeem his 4-7 record, Billman will be in State College keeping tabs on his colleagues via radio.

Also sidelined for Penn State is 165 pounder Alex Leykikh, a transfer who won the ACC Championship at Virginia last season. He is out with a hyper-extended elbow, and in his place Kevin Vile steps into the starting slot.

Vile defeated Anthony Lavatto in another wrestle-off at Tuesday's practice.

Mark Janus continues to be out for another dual meet with an ankle injury. Janus is not expected to return for a few weeks.

Substituting for Janus, Matt Calabretta will represent the Lions at heavyweight. In two losing efforts, Calabretta stepped in for Janus in the doubleheader meet against Pittsburgh and Lehigh last Tuesday.

But Janus has confidence in his replacement.

"He is the best replacement we could possibly get," he said of Calabretta. "He works as hard as anybody."

With such academic and injury woes, the Lions now find themselves facing a nearly insurmountable challenge.

In addition to Oklahoma State, other competitors in the tournament include Big Ten foes No. 2 Minnesota and No. 3 Iowa, which the Lions host next Sunday.

"It's big," said Glenn Pritzlaff, No. 3 wrestler in the nation at 174 pounds. "It's going to be a crazy weekend. You never know what is going to happen -- you just have to prepare for everything."

In spite of the many obstacles ahead for Penn State this weekend, the team still has faith in its own abilities to leave Iowa as victors.

"I'm definitely confident," said All-American captain Clint Musser, the No. 3 wrestler in the nation at 157 pounds. "It's going to be a major challenge. But if we are going to overcome that challenge, we just have to rise to the occasion.