The Penn State wrestling team suffered another drubbing last night, this time a 24-9 loss at the hands of No. 14 Lock Haven, but a 22-16 win over No. 25 Pennsylvania in the first match of the night allowed them to escape the double-dual with a split. The Nittany Lions left Rec Hall with a record of 6-8.

The Nittany Lions looked dominant in quite a few matches against Pennsylvania, beginning the night with their fourth win over a ranked opponent. The Quakers were down early, and had come back to get the match within three points in the last match, but Lion redshirt freshman Marat Tomaev clinched the meet for Penn State with a 14-8 victory over Penn's Jeff Eveleth.

Redshirt sophomore Nate Parker got the ball rolling with a huge pin over Max Galka 6:31 in to the bout after leading the match 8-1 after two periods. Sophomore Nate Wachter came up with another win at 149 pounds over No. 18 ranked Quaker junior Joe Hensen, a 6-5 decision to give the Lions a 9-0 lead to open the match.

"We came out and wrestled much better in the first match," coach Troy Sunderland said. "The way we wrestled in that match is the way we win. Our team was much more aggressive against Penn."

The Quakers won three of the next four matches, with the only Nittany Lion win being a 10-2 major decision win by 184 pounder Jeff Knupp over Penn's Ethan Bullock, and were down 13-12 going in to the heavyweight match.

It was here that Penn State newcomer Bob Jones first showed his ability to dominate a match. Jones was in complete control of Quaker freshman Mike Faust, getting a takedown and three points for a near fall before finishing the job, winning by fall 2:56 in to the bout, just before the end of the first period.

This gave the Lions a seven point cushion, making the score 19-12 with two matches to go. It was Jones' first pin since getting the go-ahead from football coach Joe Paterno to join the wrestling team.

"This felt pretty good," Jones said. "I haven't had a pin in five years.

"I still have a long way to go, but some of this is starting to feel more instinctive. Early on I had to think about everything, but now I can feel it coming more instinctively."

Penn 125 pounder Mason Lenhard manhandled sophomore Justin Kast for a 17-7 major decision to give the Quakers a chance to tie the meet with a win by decision in the last match and to win with any bonus points, but Tomaev's victory locked up the win against Penn.

After looking like they had solved their problems with intensity in the Penn match, Penn State looked down again against Lock Haven.

"In the second match, we came out just a little flat," coach Troy Sunderland said. "I was very disappointed with the way we wrestled Lock Haven."

The Bald Eagles took control of the meet early, winning the first four matches. Nate Parker and Lock Haven's No.15 ranked 141 pounder Mike Maney had a close match to open the meet, but Maney's overtime victory caused by a penalty on Parker got the momentum in Lock Haven's favor.

It continued when No. 9 Jamarr Billman pinned Nate Wachter 4:13 into the 149 pound match. Lock Haven already had a 15-0 lead before Nittany Lion freshman Cliff Wonsettler got his first dual meet victory at 174 pounds wrestling for usual starter Mark Becks, who told Sunderland he was too sick to go in the second match.

The Bald Eagles picked it right back up in the next match with junior Josh Millard upsetting No. 15 Knupp 6-2 at 184 pounds, a huge win that put Lock Haven in commanding control.

"That was a huge win for him," Lock Haven coach Carl Poff said. "He's been struggling lately, and it was really big for him to get a win after being down early, and to finish on Knupp's legs. He was my MVP for tonight."

Lock Haven continued their domination with a comeback victory by junior Avery Zerkle over Penn State fifth year senior Dave Heckerd at 197. Zerkele was down 4-1 after the first period, and was nearly pinned by Heckerd, but he came back with seven points in the third period to get an 11-6 victory, which gave Lock Haven a 21-3 lead.

The Nittany Lions needed pins in the last three matches to tie. Bob Jones got his second win of the day at heavyweight, but the 4-3 decision over Bald Eagle senior Craig Teft was not enough to keep the Lions in the match, and Lock Haven moved to 17-1 on the year.

The Lions will face an unranked opponent for the first time since Jan. 6 when Northwestern invades Rec Hall Friday night at 7.