133-pound weight class up for grabs at Big Tens

By RYAN HOCKENSMITH
Collegian Staff Writer

Nate Parker is the epitome of his weight class.

Parker, Penn State's 133-pound entrant in this weekend's Big Ten Wrestling Championships, symbolizes the turbulent weight division.

The Nittany Lion freshman is 6-2 against Big Ten opponents this season, including a 7-6 win over Michigan State's No. 5 Pat McNamara last weekend. However, just two nights earlier, Parker had been pinned by No. 6 Joe Warren of Michigan.

"There's a lot of talent in my weight class," Parker said. "It's a tough draw. 133 (pounds) is just a real tough weight class."

In addition to defeating McNamara, Parker has also registered wins over Big Ten foes John Giacche (Northwestern), Robert Sessley (Ohio State), Evan Robinson (Purdue) and Dave Stoltz (Illinois).

But Parker dropped an 11-2 major decision to No. 2 Eric Juergens of Iowa, as well as his loss by fall to Warren.

Parker isn't the conference's only back-and-forth 133 pounder.

McNamara decisioned Warren 8-6 on Dec. 11, later defeating the Wolverine again, 7-2. But Juergens slipped past McNamara 3-2 in overtime when his school battled the Spartans in a Jan. 16 dual meet.

Warren pinned more confusion on the class when he edged Juergens 8-6 in overtime Feb. 7.

After all that mayhem, coaches, who vote to determine seedings for the Big Ten Championships, seemed perplexed when it came to naming a favorite at the weight class.

"Everybody's kinda beat everybody," Minnesota coach J. Robinson said. "Seeding makes a big difference in a tournament like this, but 133 is a tough call."

Robinson said his No. 1 vote will likely go to Warren, but added that McNamara and Juergens are "right there."

"I think (133 pounds) could go to anybody," Penn State coach Troy Sunderland said. "Whoever's on fire could win it."

Parker mentioned Juergens, McNamara and Warren as strong contenders, but also said some of the lesser names could cause trouble.

"A lot of the guys that aren't ranked or anything are real tough, too," Parker said. "It's not just the big names."

Robinson said Parker, likely a No. 4 or 5 seed, should be handled with caution.

"Parker could come out of nowhere," Robinson said. "If he gets somebody who's not ready for him, he could surprise them."

Note: The top seven place winners from each weight class advance to the NCAA Championships. Two wild cards will also advance.