In the sport of wrestling, combining agility with speed and strength is a lethal arrangement. On Wednesday night, Jamarr Billman proved this point to a Rec Hall crowd that once welcomed his exploits.

Billman, who doubted whether he would wrestle again after leaving Penn State in 1999, returned in grand fashion with Lock Haven University, registering a second period pin over Nate Wachter.

From the outset of the match, Billman was clearly on the offensive and his aggressive exploits paid off, as he ran his record to 13-0.

Thrusting his arms towards his body, Billman's reaction to the fall showed the enthusiasm he has for the sport. However, after the Eagles' 24-9 victory over Penn State, Billman's reaction was considerably more humble and subdued.

"I tried to treat it like another match," Billman said.

Billman's pin was a devastating blow to a Penn State squad wrestling in the second of back-to-back dual meets Wednesday night. The Nittany Lions rebounded from a disappointing weekend by defeating Pennsylvania 22-16 but fell quickly behind No. 12 Lock Haven in the nightcap.

The crowd had a lot to do with the Eagles damaging start.

Billman's match followed a hostile bout between ranked wrestlers Mike Maney of Lock Haven and Nate Parker from Penn State. Maney's overtime victory inspired an excited reaction from the sizeable contingent of Lock Haven fans and the fervor carried over into subsequent matches. Lock Haven's supporters were clearly more vocal then the complacent Penn State faithful, and, as Billman pointed out, the enthusiasm was contagious.

"Jamarr's a great athlete and he went out there and wrestled hard like he always does," Lock Haven coach Carl Poff said. "He's probably a little out of form having not wrestled for a couple of years, but every time he goes out and wrestles a tough opponent he gets closer to national championship form."

Billman, who left Penn State after a series of both academic and personal dilemmas, voiced no hard feelings towards coaches or people involved with the program in his return to Rec Hall. He still has a lot of friends on the current Penn State squad and showed compassion for them after the match, trading handshakes for hugs at the center of the mat.

A wrestler with undeniable talent and endless potential, Billman's intentions are keenly set on tightening said skills and securing his health in time for the National Duals next month. A national championship consumes his thoughts, and would complete what has been a long, hard, demanding road back in wrestling.

"Slowly but surely I'm getting in shape," Billman said. "My only goal right now is a national championship."