Virginia Duals: Penn State tops Michigan to win title

Virginia Duals Results/Tournament Information

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, ranked No. 2 nationally, dominated No. 15 Michigan 24-12 in the championship final of the 2011 Virginia Duals in Hampton, Va. The victory gave the Nittany Lions the Virginia Duals title for the first time since 1991 and keeps head coach Cael Sanderson’s squad undefeated on the year.

Senior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) completed an undefeated weekend with a strong 8-2 win over Michigan’s Sean Boyle at 125, giving Penn State an early 3-0 lead. All-American Andrew Long (Creston, Iowa) majored No. 18 Zac Stevens 12-3 at 133 to give the Lions a 7-0 lead after two bouts. In the dual’s premier match-up, top-ranked Kellen Russell of Michigan notched another one point win over Penn State’s seventh-ranked Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), 2-1, at 141. No. 7 Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) then dominated Eric Grajales 6-2 at 149, including 2:50 in riding time before freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), ranked No. 3 at 157, put on a clinic on his way to a 19-4 technical fall over Aaron Hynes.

With Penn State up 15-3, Michigan’s Dan Yates posted a tough 8-2 win over Nittany Lion freshman James Vollrath (Richboro, Pa.), but that win was answered by Nittany Lion Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.). Ruth, ranked No. 2 at 174, pinned Michigan’s Jonathan Beck at the 1:06 mark to put Penn State on top 21-6. Michigan’s Hunter Collins then posted a 9-4 win over Lion sophomore Nick Fischer (Unionville, Pa.) at 184. Fischer had moved up a couple weight to take on the Wolverine. No. 15 Anthony Biondo of Michigan then downed Penn State’s Justin Ortega (Oxford, Pa.) 9-4 at 197, cutting Penn State’s lead to 21-11. Nittany Lion junior Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio), ranked No. 7 at heavyweight, beat No. 9 Ben Apland 3-0 in the final bout to give the Lions the 24-12 final margin.

Penn State moves to l1-0 on the year, it’s best since going 12-0 in 1971-72 (no losses or ties). Taylor was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler for his performance at 157 as well. Penn State won the takedown battle 19-8 and notched a 6-0 edge in bonus points. The title is Penn State’s first at the event since winning the crown in 1991 and the Nittany Lions now own a 25-24 edge in the all-time series with the Wolverines. The two teams will meet again in Ann Arbor on Feb. 6 in the conference dual (this dual does not count as one of Penn State’s eight Big Ten duals).

Penn State returns to action in a nationally televised home match-up with No. 21 Pittsburgh on Jan. 21. Action in the Big Ten Network live event begins at 6 p.m. in Rec Hall. Fans wishing to purchase single dual meet tickets for the 2010-11 Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling season can place their orders by calling 814-865-5555 or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket pricing is $8 for adults and $5 for youth, and there will be a limit of eight tickets per order. Group sales are also available. The 2010-11 Penn State wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline. All Penn State events will once again air live on Forever Broadcasting’s WRSC (1390 AM) and WSQV (92.1 FM). All radio broadcasts are streamed live at GoPSUsports.com as part of the All-Access package. The 2010-11 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.

Results:
125: Brad Pataky PSU dec. Sean Boyle UM, 8-2 3-0
133: #6 Andrew Long PSU maj. dec. #18 Zac Stevens UM, 12-3 7-0
141: #1 Kellen Russell UM dec. #7 Andrew Alton PSU, 2-1 7-3
149: #7 Frank Molinaro PSU dec. Eric Grajales UM, 6-2 10-3
157: #3 David Taylor PSU tech fall Aaron Hynes UM, 19-4 (TF; 4:53) 15-3
165: Dan Yates UM dec. James Vollrath PSU, 8-2 15-6
174: #2 Ed Ruth PSU pinned Jonathan Beck UM, WBF (1:06) 21-6
184: Hunter Collins UM dec. Nick Fischer PSU, 9-4 21-9
197: #15 Anthony Biondo UM dec. Justin Ortega PSU, 9-4 21-12
285: #7 Cameron Wade PSU dec. #8 Ben Apland UM, 3-0 24-12

Attendance: 2,600
Records: Penn State 11-0 (1-0 Big Ten), Michigan 4-2 (0-0 Big Ten)
Up Next for Penn State: Home vs. #20 Pittsburgh, Friday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m. in Rec Hall