David Erwin's 2008-09 wrestling season didn't quite go to plan.
Erwin, now a senior, beat eventual All-American Quentin Wright twice at 2008 Wrestle-Offs to earn the starting nod at 174 pounds. Then he won his first three matches of the season at the Michigan State Open before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
From the sidelines, Erwin got to see Wright take over at 174 and surge to a 33-13 record and a sixth-place NCAA finish in St. Louis.
Now, with Wright set to redshirt in order to move up in weight class, Erwin is healthy and expected to be a major player in the Nittany Lions' lineup at 174.
At Tuesday's Media Day, Erwin noted his anticipation for the upcoming season.
"Everything's falling in place for this year, so just excited to stay healthy, stay in shape, and make a run at it," he said.
In his last healthy season, 2007-08, Erwin went 23-10. He also posted a 23-8 mark at 165 pounds in his true freshman year of 2005-06, with a 5-1 Big Ten record and a win over then-No. 11 Steve Anceravage of Cornell. Anceravage beat Wright at nationals last year to finish fifth in the country.
Penn State's new coach, Cael Sanderson, said he expects Erwin to boost the Lions as long as he's on the mat.
"He's had a lot of injuries, but I think just making sure he's training the right way, and being disciplined in how he cuts his weight, I think he'll be a guy that's right in the hunt," Sanderson said.
"He's very talented. He came out of high school as one of the top kids in the country, and that's for a reason ... We just need to keep him healthy."
Sanderson was the first wrestler in NCAA history to never lose a match, finishing his career 159-0 with four national titles.
Erwin said the presence of arguably the greatest wrestler ever at practice every day has made a difference for him.
"I think one thing he's done for me is he's made me enjoy coming to practice every day more," Erwin said. "It's the highlight of my day to come in here and work out and come back in tomorrow."
Wright, the Wingate native who said he works with Erwin in practice "a lot," added the veteran grappler brings plenty of skill to the floor and has the potential for national honors.
"Last year, he hurt his shoulder, but I think he would have done just as good if not better than what I did last year," Wright said. "And that's what I'm going to be pushing him, every day in practice, every week in practice. I'm going to be believing in him, talking to him like, 'Dave Erwin, national champion.' "
