Coming into the weekend, the Penn State wrestling team needed to make a statement. And that it did by defeating Indiana and Purdue easily.

National exposure or relative seclusion, Main Gym or South Gym of Rec Hall, the No. 6 Penn State men's volleyball team showed this weekend that it comes to play, regardless of how many people are watching.

The Penn State National Open track meet on Friday and Saturday was an opportunity for the men's track team to compete against top teams such as Tennessee, Miami, Villanova and Georgetown at the Multi-Sports Complex, and gain an early view of the upcoming season.

In the final racing test before returning to Indiana for Big Ten Championships, the No. 14 Penn State women's swimming team used strong performances from a core group of swimmers to defeat the No. 19 Hoosiers, 211-158.

Saturday was a day to remember for the Penn State women's gymnastics team. The team tallied season-high scores in every event and an array of Penn State gymnasts set their season-best scores en route to a thrashing of Maryland at Rec Hall.

Competing against two of the top fencing teams in the country is hard enough, but competing against your younger sister can be even harder.

Losing two games at home is usually a source of bitter disappointment for a team, but for the No. 12 Penn State Lady Icers, losses to Western Michigan this weekend only motivated the team to continue improving its play.

Saturday night's men's basketball matchup at the Bryce Jordan Center had David and Goliath written all over it.

Maybe the Penn State fans booed him because he triggered memories of the good old days when the Nittany Lions advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2001.

All season long Tanisha Wright and Minnesota's Janel McCarville have been duking it out off the court, with numerous accolades and awards attaching themselves to the two seniors.

As one banner from last year's first and only Big Ten Championship hung from the rafters, one Penn State runner seemed to stand out just the same on ground level.

The No. 2 Penn State ACHA Division I Icers had the blueprint for the rest of their season all mapped out.

As Wisconsin whipped the ball around the perimeter of the Penn State defense during the first minute of play Saturday, it fell into the hands of lanky No. 23 in red. The sophomore made a quick spin move past a guard wearing blue and white and like a red blur -- resembling the Flash -- he was by the Penn State defense for an easy lay-up.

Four-tenths of a second.

There are certain stereotypes that have always surrounded the Big Ten Conference.

NO. 18 WISCONSIN 76, PENN STATE 50

NO. 22 PENN STATE 81, NO. 10 MINNESOTA 68

Penn State National Open

NO. 19 PENN STATE 32, PURDUE 7

NO. 2 PENN STATE 4, NO. 8 MICHIGAN-DEARBORN 1

Big city transit issues should not delay funds for smaller Pa. towns

My Opinion: Lauren Warner

• Preachers of Jesus should follow His law
• PSU athletic teams require time in gyms
• Violence should not be directed at gays
• New Testament must be followed, not Old

Allen Street Grill, 100 W. College Ave., will feature Troeginator beer (231-4745).

Feature Photo