ST. LOUIS - When he returns to his hotel after another dominating day on the mats of the Scottrade Center, Penn State wrestler Phil Davis is going to watch film in preparation for his second national championship match in three years.
Not game tape of his opponent, Central Michigan's Wynn Michalak - instead, the newly crowned four time All-American's eyes will be glued to episodes of SpongeBob Squarepants.
"I'm going to watch some pre-recorded SpongeBob on my computer, listen to a little bit of music, a little Rascal Flatts and go out there and make it happen," Davis said after he beat No. 6-seeded Dallas Herbst of Wisconsin to advance to the 197-pound championship.
Davis has skewered his way through the 197-pound field and his bout with Herbst was no different than his previous matches. Davis dominated the Badger, winning 6-0. The Harrisburg native has outscored his opponents 22-5 and pinned one more in four matches.
As Davis out-wrestled Herbst, next to them, Michalak upset top-seeded Josh Glenn of American to finalize the 197-pound title match.
Michalak said he and Davis have a history. The two have met three times throughout their careers, once in high school and twice in collegiate tournaments.
Michalak said Davis beat him twice, once in high school and the second time at an open collegiate tournament. In their last match, Wynn said he beat Davis by "a couple of points."
"We've gone back and fourth throughout our career," Michalak said. "Phil's a great guy, a great wrestler, a great athlete. I think it will be a real good match. I think we match up good against each other."
Davis echoed Michalak's scouting observations.
"He's very offensive," Davis said. "He wrestles a lot like me - not so much of the crazy, funky, rolling stuff - but very offensive. He's an aggressive guy and I don't expect him to be one of those guys that's hanging back, playing the edge. He's going to be coming after me, trying to score points the whole time."
Davis won't be the only Nittany Lion wrestling for a championship. At 149-pounds, Bubba Jenkins will get what he said he wanted yesterday - a shot at a national title and a rematch against top-seeded Iowa grappler, Brent Metcalf. Metcalf beat Jenkins twice during the regular season.
Jenkins nearly didn't make it to the final bout.
With just 41 seconds remaining, Jenkins and NC State's Darrion Caldwell took neutral positions. Caldwell led 8-7, but Jenkins stunned the Wolfpack grappler in the last 15 seconds with a takedown at the edge of the mat. Three back points later, Jenkins flexed and kissed his biceps, strutting around the mat.
"I just made it up right on the spot man," Jenkins said of his celebration. "All the excitement came over me and I felt that I had to do something special since everybody wanted to see that match."
The match many want to see will take place Saturday: Jenkins versus Metcalf, round three.
In his first two losses to the Hawkeye, Jenkins said he used two different game plans. Neither worked to his advantage. Metcalf pinned Jenkins the first time they met and lost a major decision, 15-3, at the Big Ten tournament.
Jenkins said he tried to be aggressive against Metcalf when the two faced off in Iowa earlier in the year. After that, he tried to wrestle defensively. Most importantly, Stress played a part in both matches, Jenkins said.
"I was up 6-1 and I got anxiety and everything started collapsing in on me. I got nervous," Jenkins said of his first meeting with Metcalf. "[At the Big Ten tournament] I came back, I had a game plan to sit back and wait - couldn't really do that - so I have another plan for him."
Yesterday, Jenkins said he would relish a rematch with Metcalf. The Hawkeye's eyes lit up when he learned Jenkins wanted a rematch in the championship bout.
"You know what? That sounds great," Metcalf said. "Obviously you want to avenge your losses. That sounds like a great philosophy. He's a great competitor and I'm excited to wrestle him. I'll be ready to go."
Davis has the only experience of the four wrestlers in NCAA championship matches. Davis lost to Oklahoma State's Jake Rosholt his sophomore year. Last year, Davis was upset in the semifinals, eventually finishing fifth.
"The last time I was in St. Louis I just remember I was so happy that I [was an All-American] my freshman year," Davis said. "I just have such positive energy in being back in St. Louis and I feel like this is a great year to win."
