Wrestlers find some luck with substitute Kruk

By RYAN HOCKENSMITH
Collegian Staff Writer

The announcement came two hours late. But it still made Jason Kruk's night.

After winning what he called "the biggest match of my life," the sophomore Penn State wrestler was receiving congratulatory hugs and handshakes from family and friends when the public address announcer made his final announcement of the night.

The remaining Rec Hall attendees were told that Kruk, a major contributor to No. 11 Penn State's 20-19 win against No. 22 Indiana Saturday night, had been named co-Ridge Riley Award winner for the dual meet. The award is presented after every Nittany Lion home match to the top wrestler of the dual meet.

"That was kind of the icing on the cake," Kruk simply stated.

The Lion 133 pounder, just 1-5 heading into Penn State's double dual meet against the Hoosiers and Lock Haven, pulled off his first dual-meet win of the season, dropping Hoosier Alan Kan, 7-4.

Kruk, behind 4-3 after two periods, started the third period on top. He finished there, both on the scoreboard and the mat.

Kruk rode Kan for the entire two minutes, racking up a bonus point for riding time and three near-fall points en route to the four-point period and three-point win.

Despite trailing after the first five minutes of action, Kruk said his confidence never fleeted.

"Top's my best position," he said. "I knew I'd do all right if I got on top. I knew I'd be OK."

The decision narrowed Indiana's lead to 14-13 and allowed 157-pound Lion senior Clint Musser to later ice Penn State's win with a 19-10 major decision in the night's final bout.

"It was a great win for Jason Kruk," Lion head coach Troy Sunderland said. "We kind of neglected to honor him with the Ridge Riley there initially, but we got that squared away then."

Two hours later, Kruk's shining night lost a little luster. Facing Lock Haven's No. 9 Terry Showalter, Kruk dropped a 19-5 major decision to the ranked Bald Eagle. The loss was one of only three in the dual as the Lions trounced their intrastate rivals, 28-12, in the nightcap.

Following the Riley Award announcement, Kruk retained a jubilant mood, in spite of finishing the night with a loss.

"(Showalter)'s one of the best wrestlers in the country," Kruk said. "I won't let that last match get me down, though."

Kruk's bout in the limelight could be over soon, however. Normal starter Nate Parker, ranked No. 19, should return to the mat soon after recuperating from wrist and shoulder injuries.

Senior co-captain Glenn Pritzlaff, a double winner on the night, admitted Kruk's match sparked his interest.

"Kruk's win was outstanding," the All-American said. "I haven't been that excited in a dual meet all year."

Neither has Kruk.