Joyride
Wrestlers riding Parker's success into road meets

By CHRIS ANTONACCI
Collegian Staff Writer

With his long, lanky arms wrapped around Jean Celestin, Nate Parker sits back.

Parker's legs are clutched around his teammate as Celestin puts his head down and piggybacks Parker across the mat, back and forth.

After one lap has been completed, the two trade places. A golden smile emerges on Celestin's face -- he is amused by the joyride. Parker, though, clad in a pair of gray Nittany Lion sweats, has a stern look on his brow as he carries Celestin across the mat in the Penn State wrestling room.

Lately, Celestin, as well as the entire Lion wrestling team, has been able to wrap himself around Parker and grab onto the ride. Parker has made the ride smooth as he has carried the team to victory lately.

The ride continues this weekend as Parker leads the No. 10 Lions on a journey to Michigan for a pair of dual meets. The Lions face No. 9 Michigan at 7:30 p.m. today in Ann Arbor and No. 23 Michigan State at 1 p.m. Sunday in East Lansing.

Parker's trip to Michigan is especially challenging. He faces No. 6 Wolverine Joe Warren and No. 3 Spartan Pat McNamara, the top two seeds in the Big Ten at 133 pounds.

"(McNamara)'s a very, very solid wrestler," Michigan State coach Tom Minkel said. "He's one of the most competitive wrestlers. McNamara, we generally count on to do well. He's a tough, tenacious kid."

So is Parker.

"Hey," Parker exclaimed when asked if he was at all apprehensive about his matches this weekend. "I think they should be just as concerned about me as I am them. I am not at all intimidated."

Just last week Parker (12-6), with the fate of the Lions' match against Northwestern on his shoulders, pulled through with a decisive win, proclaiming victory for he and his team.

It was the apex in a season of ups and downs for the No. 18 wrestler in the nation at 133 pounds. At one time, Parker was dubbed an inconsistent wrestler who was nagged with shoulder and wrist injuries.

But that tag exists no longer.

"Nate's really starting to come into his own," Penn State senior co-captain Clint Musser said. "I am confident in Nate when he goes out there.

"Nate has learned from his mistakes on the mat."

He has made a few -- there was the first-round loss at the Penn State Open, the time he was ridden for more than five minutes in Penn State's dual meet with Nebraska and his 8-7 loss to Clarion's Brad Collins.

But Parker, who has been wrestling since he was in 10th grade, also has fared well.

In his first collegiate action, Parker upset No. 6 Terry Showalter of Lock Haven to win the Mat-Town Tournament. Later this season, he squirmed out of a sure takedown by No. 17 Buckeye Robert Sessley en route to victory. Parker also dominated No. 10 Sooner Dane Valdez, 11-4, boasting an enormous upset.

"Overall, it all comes down to attitude and heart, how bad do you really want it," Parker said. "This is my dream.

"My dream is not just to beat this guy or that guy. I want to be national champion. I am not going to stop until I am No. 1. I am not going to stop until I get it."