For months, one date was a focal point on the schedule.
That date came and passed last Sunday as the Penn State wrestling team defeated Big Ten rival Iowa in a battle of top-five teams.
And now, just one week later, the No. 2 Nittany Lions will do it all over again. The No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes, who also defeated Iowa in a dual last Friday, will visit Rec Hall on Sunday to challenge the Lions.
Fortunately for Penn State, this dual will once again take place in Happy Valley, and the Lions will have the advantage of another expected sold out crowd.
While the Penn State wrestlers maintain their focus on the task at hand, Quentin Wright said the intensity and passion of the fans has an impact.
“You can’t say you don’t get wrapped up in it because you do,” the 184-pounder said. “But it’s how your attitude is toward it. Where our attitude is try not to get wrapped up in it, because it’s really easy.”
Now with the Iowa dual behind them, the Lions have the advantage of using that experience to adjust for this weekend’s dual.
Still, even though Penn State has been a part of big duals in the past, Wright said nothing beats the atmosphere the crowd creates.
“You look around and you see 6,000 people screaming for you,” he said. “It’s awesome. It’s incredible.”
When the Buckeyes visit Rec Hall on Sunday, they will bring a lineup composed of nine ranked wrestlers, which is one more than the Lions’ eight ranked wrestlers.
The outcome of the matchup could have a big impact on the Big Ten standings, as well. Both teams lost duals to Minnesota this season, and another loss will drop them further in the standings.
For Penn State, the team will rely on the consistent wrestling it has turned in all season. Since their only loss to Minnesota in November, the Lions have seen strong performances in all 10 weight classes, as they have worked their way back up the national rankings.
And with another chance to win a big dual in front of a Rec Hall crowd this weekend, Penn State will have the chance to continue building on their momentum.
When talking about the crowd inside Rec Hall, Wright said wrestling there is always a great opportunity.
“It’s just exciting for me personally to be the guy down on the mat making the action,” he said. “And it’s just an awesome feeling when you get a takedown and everybody keeps cheering … It’s just a lot of fun to wrestle here at Rec Hall.”
