The Penn State wrestling team went into the season looking to return to national prominence as one of the country's elite powers. To do so, it had to battle its recent past that included three straight losing seasons and injuries to key team members.

With Wednesday's 41-3 trouncing of intrastate rival Lock Haven, the Nittany Lions capped off a season that saw them crack the top 10 for a time and nearly upset national powers Ohio State and Minnesota.

The Lions were able to attain their 11-8 record and numerous individual milestones because they were able to stay relatively healthy this season.

With the team's winning record and brief trip to the top 10, Lions found their way into the national spotlight.

"We've battled all year long," Becks said. "We've had our ups and our downs. We're all looking towards the postseason. We got a lot of heart on this team, a lot of character, and that's what's going to pull us forward through Big Tens and nationals."

The Lions season opened Nov. 3 at Wrestle-Offs where the Lions wrestled each other for starting spots.

The Lions competed well during tournament competition.

Junior Josh Moore returned from last season's ACL injury and won the East Stroudsburg and Mat-town opens.

Senior Mark Becks also won his weight class at East Stroudsburg and Mat-town.

Also winning tournaments for the Lions were junior Pat Cummins at East Stroudsburg and redshirt freshman DeWitt Driscoll at Mat-town.

The team then opened the dual-meet season trading wins with No. 4 Lehigh.

Penn State also beat Drexel and Navy before the Big Ten schedule opened.

The Big Ten schedule ended up being a mixed bag for coach Troy Sunderland's team.

The Lions finished their conference schedule with a 3-5 record, but lost three matches to top 10 oponents Minnesota (5), Ohio State, Michigan (7) and Purdue (10) by a total of 13 points.

"We didn't win the matches and we came so close to winning," Sunderland said Wednesday night. "I think the guys also have a sense that they can compete with teams that are ranked in the top five or top 10."

Individually, Penn State had several bright spots in the wrestling match.

Senior Mark Becks and junior Scott Moore both reached the career 100-win plateau.

Moore leads the nation in wins with 45 and is second in pins with 20. His 20 pins are second on the single-season list at Penn State.

Moore (52), Becks, (59) Pat Cummins (68) and Scott Moore (71) each reached 50 points for the season. They are the first quartet to reach 50 points since 1993-1994.

The Nittany Lions were also helped by seniors Ryan Cummins, Nate Wachter and Doc Vecchio.

Cummins helped the team with a much needed conference win against Minnesota, while Vecchio put together another fine season with a 22-14 record.

Ninth ranked Nate Wachter returned mid-season after missing time with a broken bone in his hand. He finished the season with a 10-5 record.

Wachter is using the time off from injury to his advantage as he gets ready for postseason play.

"My hand doesn't bother me at all," he said. "I've got a lot more energy. I'm more relaxed now, so I'm not burnt out from all the matches."

After all the matches the Nittany Lions have wrestled the team appears poised for a run at the Big Ten championships and a return to national prominence.