An annual rite of passage for incoming wrestlers, this Sunday's Wrestle-Offs will give some grapplers a chance to cement their status on the team and give others a chance to turn some heads and earn a varsity spot.
Members of the No. 8 Penn State wrestling team will compete with each other at 1 p.m. Sunday in Rec Hall for a chance to lead the team during this season's meets.
Wrestlers from each of the 10 weight classes will compete in the annual preseason meet to determine who will wrestle for points in this year's meets.
"It's really just the beginning of the season for us," head coach Troy Sunderland said. "[The Wrestle-Offs are] just the first step in preparing for the competition this season -- a necessary thing for us to set the depth chart."
The matches are a time for the coaches to watch the team and evaluate how each member performs in an actual meet situation, he said.
"It's a year that's going to be really difficult in some weight classes to predict who is going to win, or who has an advantage at this point," Sunderland said.
According to Sunderland, there are still some questions concerning the 149, 157, 165 and 184 weight classes, but Sunday's matches will feature some interesting pairings in those classes that will provide answers.
"We're anxious as a staff to see who comes out on top on some of those matches," he said.
While junior All-American Phil Davis, the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the 197 weight class, will not be wrestling this weekend, the team's other returning All-American, James Yonushonis, will see some time.
"James is a different individual," Sunderland said. "He thrives better on the opportunity to compete as much as possible."
With Yonushonis' busy schedule -- he's student teaching this semester -- the Wrestle-Offs will provide the No. 3-ranked fifth-year senior with a chance to stay atop his game.
"To continue to compete at a high level and train like he has been able to, it definitely takes a special person to make those sacrifices and that time commitment," Sunderland said of Yonushonis.
As for holding Davis out, Sunderland said that it was less of a precaution against injury and more of an opportunity for Davis to continue his preparation for the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic on Nov. 20. Yonushonis will also be competing in the All-Star Classic. Although the Wrestle-Offs give the team a chance to get its feet wet before the season starts, the coaches are still wary of injuries.
"They have to give 100 percent [on the mats]," Sunderland said, "but obviously we want to prevent injuries. We have to tell the officials to watch out for those situations."
If the Lions can manage to come out of this weekend unscathed, they should be in shape.
"I'm excited for Wrestle-Offs to see how the weight classes end up," senior co-captain Aaron Anspach said at Wednesday's Wrestling Media Day.
"Team-wise, we lost some good leadership and some key starters from last year, but I'm pretty sure that we have guys to step in and will continue with where we left off last year."
