STATE COLLEGE —
Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson doesn’t like the word “dynasty,” even if the Nittany Lions are going for a third straight national championship.
The fourth-year coach isn’t much for looking back.
“We’ll take it one year at a time. We’re very blessed with the team that we have this year, and we just want to get the most of this team and these guys, help them get the most out of their careers,” he said.
Penn State opens the season Nov. 16 when Lehigh visits Rec Hall.
“There’s a lot of competition. I think it’s probably more competitive this year than it was last year,” said Sanderson, who signed a five-year extension in the offseason.
This year’s team includes five returning All-Americans – two defending champions, two NCAA runners-up from a year ago and a third-place finisher at the NCAA tournament last March.
“We have a strong team, obviously, but there are a lot of programs that have strong teams. A lot of things happen in the offseason and every team is a little bit different. We’ll see where we are,” Sanderson said.
The headliner of a talented group is 165-pounder David Taylor. The junior won an NCAA title last season, a year after losing in the NCAA finals as a freshman. He won the Hodge Trophy for 2011-12, emblematic of college wrestling’s most outstanding wrestler.
Fellow defending champion Ed Ruth might be every bit as talented, if not more, than Taylor. Ruth moved up to 184 pounds this season after winning at 174 last year.
Ruth was more willing than his coach to entertain the notion of a Happy Valley dynasty.
“A dynasty? Man, that’s a powerful word. A dynasty? Eh, I kind of feel like we’re really building something. We’re still at the foundation of it,” he said.
“I don’t want to say that this dynasty ends with just the guys who are here right now. I feel like even the guys we have still coming in, I feel like it’s just going to continue on with these guys. For as long as we can, I just want to keep it.”
With each of the talented core group of five wrestlers ranked either first or second at his weight, and the team ranked first in at least one poll, there’s a good chance of keeping hold of the championship trophy.
Senior 197-pounder Quentin Wright is a three-time All-American. He was runner-up at 184 pounds a year ago and won the title the year before.
Sophomore 125-pounder Nico Megaludis made a storybook run to the NCAA finals as a freshman before losing a tight 4-1 decision.
And sophomore 157-pounder Dylan Alton placed a strong third last year.
College
Penn State wrestling seeking three-peat
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MIKE MASTOVICH | Roberts, Kent State up to old tricks
George Roberts and his Kent State University teammates reached a familiar destination on Saturday afternoon, but took a somewhat different route in winning their third consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular-season title.
- Local sports in brief 5/19/2013
- Local sports in brief 5/18/2013
- Local sports in brief 5/17/2013
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College players dominate Point nominations
Pitt-Johnstown junior Jake Warner was perfect and extremely productive at the plate while earning the first two monthly nominations for the 2013 Point Stadium Award in February and March.
Mount Aloysius sophomore Derrick Capiak nearly reached perfection to take the April nomination. -
Penn State guard leaving for pro career
Penn State guard Jermaine Marshall, the team’s second-leading scorer, is foregoing his senior year of eligibility to pursue a professional career overseas.
The team announced the surprise move in a statement Wednesday. The 6-foot-4 Marshall, who is on schedule to graduate this summer, cited his family including a 1-year-old son, in making his decision. -
Penn State coach blasts Sports Illustrated article
Penn State coach Bill O’Brien is fervently disputing suggestions raised in a report that player medical care has been compromised after the team doctor was replaced.
Speaking often in an angry tone that might be otherwise reserved for an argument with an official, O’Brien told reporters in a conference call that the health and safety of his players were his top priorities. -
East Stroudsburg wins PSAC championship
Senior Brian Ernst threw eight innings without allowing an earned run on just two days rest and East Stroudsburg University used a five-run fifth inning to secure its first PSAC baseball championship since 1971 with a 7-1 win over defending champion West Chester on Saturday at Point Stadium.
The Warriors (33-16), who set a school record with their 33rd win, earned the PSAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament thanks in large part to an outstanding effort by Ernst, who was named the PSAC Tournament MVP. -
Millersville players help couple resuscitate ailing child
The Millersville University baseball team came up with a great save this week, but it had nothing to do with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament being played at Point Stadium.
A trip for an after-midnight snack on Wednesday morning ended with seven Marauders being hailed as heroes by a local family after they helped save a little boy who wasn’t breathing. -
PSAC baseball prefers Point Stadium
The 2014 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference baseball tournament is slated for Pullman Park in Butler.
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