#1 Penn State Downs #4 Oklahoma State 23-12 in Non-Conference National Showcase Dual

The No. 1-ranked Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team won six of ten bouts in front of a raucous Rec Hall crowd to grab a convincing win over No. 4 Oklahoma State. Over 6,500 fans, the 18th-straight home sell-out, cheered as Penn State rolled to a 23-12 victory in a national showcase non-conference dual.

Junior Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), ranked No. 2 nationally at 125, got Penn State off to a hot start once again with a thrilling 11-7 win over No. 13 Eddie Klimara. The Cowboys were able to tie the dual when No. 4 Jon Morrison grabbed a hard-fought 2-0 win over sophomore Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.), ranked No. 16, at 133.

At 141, true freshman Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.) put Penn State back on top with a win over No. 19 Anthony Collica. Ranked No. 2 nationally, Retherford was just too strong in the second period, using a full ride out and a third period escape to roll to a 2-0 win with 1:50 in riding time. Oklahoma State would win the next two bouts, however, to take a lead into halftime. The Cowboys tied things when No. 9 Josh Kindig posted a tough 5-3 win over red-shirt freshman Zack Beitz (Mifflintown, Pa.), ranked No. 17, at 149. Oklahoma State took a 9-6 lead into halftime off No. 3 Alex Dieringer’s 6-4 win at 157 over junior Dylan Alton(Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 6.

Senior David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), unbeaten and ranked No. 1 at 165, posted a hard-fought 5-2 win over No. 5 Tyler Caldwell to tie the dual at 9-9. In a rematch of last year’s NCAA title bout at 174, No. 4 Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah) nearly gained revenge on No. 2 Chris Perry. But a scramble on the edge of the mat that had Brown nearly pinning Perry ended as a Perry takedown and the defending NCAA champion would escape with a 4-3 (TB2) win.

Senior Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), ranked No. 2 at 184, put Penn State on top for good, however, sending the Rec Hall faithful to their feet with a pin over Nolan Boyd at the 6:41 mark. The fall put the Lions up 15-12. Sophomore Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.), ranked No. 3 at 197, then iced the dual meet with a dominating 16-2 major, giving the Lions a 19-12 lead. In the dual’s final match-up, junior Jon Gingrich(Wingate, Pa.) capped off three straight dual-ending wins with a strong 14-5 major over Cowboy Ethan Driver, giving Penn State the 23-12 final victory.

Penn State dominated the takedown battle, posting a 20-7 advantage. The final attendance of 6,571 was the largest Rec Hall crowd of the year for Penn State and was the 18th-straight home sellout. Taylor stayed unbeaten with the win, moving to 25-0 on the year. He is now 125-3 overall, tied for sixth all-time at Penn State. Ruth moves to 24-1 and picked up his ninth pin of the year. The Nittany Lion is 126-3 overall, fifth all-time at Penn State and now has 43 pins, third all-time.

Megaludis moved to 22-2 with a pin, four techs and nine majors. Retherford stayed unbeaten and is 25-0 with four pins, two techs and seven majors. McIntosh improved to 24-2 with four pins and 11 majors as well.

Penn State is now 14-1 and won its second Big Ten dual meet co-title with a 7-1 conference mark. Oklahoma State falls to 9-5. Penn State will host Clarion in already sold-out Rec Hall next Sunday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. The dual will serve as Senior Day.

Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at www.twitter.com/pennstateWREST and on Penn State Wrestling’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling. The 2013-14 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.

#1 Penn State 23, #4 Oklahoma State 12
February 16, 2014 – Rec Hall – University Park, Pa.

125: #2 Nico Megaludis PSU dec. #13 Eddie Klimara OKST, 11-7 — 3-0
133: #4 Jon Morrison OKST dec. #16 Jimmy Gulibon PSU, 2-0 — 3-3
141: #2 Zain Retherford PSU dec. #19 Anthony Collica OKST, 2-0 — 6-3
149: #9 Josh Kindig OKST dec. #17 Zack Beitz PSU, 5-3 — 6-6
157: #3 Alex Dieringer OKST dec. #6 Dylan Alton PSU, 6-4 — 6-9
165: #1 David Taylor PSU dec. #5 Tyler Caldwell OKST, 5-2 — 9-9
174: #2 Chris Perry OKST dec. (TB2) #4 Matt Brown PSU, 4-3 (TB2) — 9-12
184: #2 Ed Ruth PSU pinned Nolan Boyd OKST, WBF (5:41) — 15-12
197: #3 Morgan McIntosh PSU maj. dec. Kyle Crutchmer OKST, 16-2 — 19-12
285: Jon Gingrich PSU maj. dec. Ethan Driver OKST, 14-5 — 23-12
Attendance: 6,571 (18th straight home sell out)
Records: Penn State 14-1, 7-1 B1G; Oklahoma State 9-5
Up Next for Penn State: Home vs. Clarion, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m.

BOUT-BY-BOUT:

125: All-American Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), ranked No. 2 nationally at 125, took on Oklahoma State’s Eddie Klimara, ranked No. 13. Megaludis fought off an early Klimara score attempt as the Cowboy gained control of Megaludis’ arm and shoulders and tried to work his way around for an early takedown. But the Lion junior forced a reset with 2:00 on the clock still tied 0-0. Klimara connected on his second shot, taking Megaludis down on the edge of the mat for a 2-1 lead after a quick Megaludis escape. The Lion then gained control of Klimara’s left ankle on the outside circle and began scrambling for his own takedown. But Klimara countered the move and took a 4-1 lead after one period. Klimara chose down to start the second and quickly escaped to a 5-1 lead. Megaludis then got in on a low single with 1:10 on the clock, connected, and cut the lead to 5-3. Megaludis let Klimara loose and quickly took him down again to cut the lead to 7-5. The Lion then tied the bout with a third second-period takedown with :30 on the clock. A short ride out sent the bout to the third tied 7-7. Megaludis chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to an 8-7 lead. The Lion forced Klimara into a first stall warning then got in on a high single leg on the edge of the mat. Megaludis then worked his right arm into control of Klimara’s right ankle and took a 10-7 lead with :52 left to wrestle. Megaludis was able to ride Klimara for the full minute, breaking the Cowboy down and rolling to an 11-7 decision.

133: Red-shirt freshman Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.), ranked No. 16 at 133, met No. 4 Jon Morrison in a rematch of this year’s Southern Scuffle title bout (won by Morrison). The duo battled evenly for a minute plus before Morrison connected on a high double to take a 2-0 lead. The fourth-ranked Cowboy was able to control the action for the rest of the period, with Gulibon unable to kick free of Morrison’s ankle control. Leading 2-0, Morrison chose down to start the second period and Gulibon was able to control the action himself, working the riding time down below a minute. Not content at that, Gulibon put together a strong ride, controlling Morrison for the remainder of the period with a strong 2:00 ride. Trailing 2-0 with riding time not a factor, Gulibon chose neutral to start the third. Gulibon upped the tempo, forcing Morrison to the outside circle for the first half of the final stanza. The Lion freshman could not break through the senior’s defense. Morrison got hit with a first stall at :10 but the bout ended with the Cowboy on defense, grabbing a tough 2-0 win.

141: True freshman Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.), ranked No. 2 at 141, battled No. 19 Anthony Collica. Retherford was steady early on, controlling the action on his feet and forcing the Cowboy to the outside circle. The young Lion could not break down Collica’s strong defense and the bout moved into the second stanza tied 0-0. Collica chose down to start the second period, giving Retherford a chance to work his strong ride. The Lion freshman was able to withstand a quick Collica start on a second reset and maintained control for well over minute, wrapping up Collica on his lower body and forcing the Cowboy to the mat. With Collica working hard to escape by getting to his feet, Retherford was able to break him down and notch the 2:00 ride out. Retherford chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead in just :10. Retherford then connected on a low single and forced a scramble on the edge of the mat. The Lion could not finish the move off before action moved out of bounds and a reset entailed with :48 left to wrestle. Retherford deftly stepped back from a Collica shot and forced a scramble that killed clock. The Lion remained unbeaten with a strong 2-0 win, including 1:50 in riding time.

149: Red-shirt freshman Zack Beitz (Mifflintown, Pa.), ranked No. 17 at 149, took on No. 9 Josh Kindig. Beitz was the early aggressor, forcing Kindig back towards the outside circle for over 2:00. The duo battled for the full three minutes and action moved to the second stanza tied 0-0. Beitz chose down to start the second and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Kindig countered with a low single and a takedown and the bout was tied 2-2 after Beitz escaped with 1:10 left to wrestle. The match moved to the third period tied and Kindig chose down to start the final period. The Cowboy quickly escaped and took a 3-2 lead with 1:40 on the clock. Beitz’s offense forced Kindig into a first stall with 1:20 left. The Lion junior continued to pressure the Cowboy, forcing him backwards. Kindig countered a low Beitz shot and took a 5-2 lead with :46 left to wrestle. Beitz escaped to a 5-3 score with :35 left and the connected on a low single. But Kindig was able kick away and preserve the hard fought 5-3 win.

157: All-American Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 6 at 157, met No. 3 Alex Dieringer. Alton blew out of the gates fast, working a high double into an eventual takedown and a 2-1 lead early after a quick Dieringer escape. Dieringer gained control of Alton’s waste and took him with down and to his back for a four-point move off a takedown and two near fall points. Alton quickly escaped to a 5-3 score with 1:00 on the clock and action resumed on their feet in the center circle. Leading 5-3, Dieringer chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 6-3 lead. Alton shot low but Dieringer was able to step out of trouble each time and hold onto the 6-3 score down to the :40 mark. Dieringer shot off a reset and looked to score but Alton forced a quick stalemate and the bout moved into the third period with Dieringer up 6-3. Alton chose down to start the third period and Alton quickly escaped to a 6-4 score. Alton fought off a swift Dieringer shot and kept the bout close with 1:19 on the clock. After a break for blood time, the duo returned to the center of the mat with Alton shooting low, Dieringer looking to counter, and neither wrestler breaking through. Alton’s offense forced Dieringer into a stall warning but time ran out and Dieringer posted the 6-4 win, putting Oklahoma State up 9-6 at the break.

165: All-American David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), ranked No. 1 at 165, took on Cowboy Tyler Caldwell, who was ranked No. 5. Taylor and Caldwell, who met in the finals of the Southern Scuffle (a Taylor win), battled evenly for nearly two minutes. Taylor then connected on a single and worked his way into control for a takedown and 2-0 lead with :50 left in the opening period. Taylor then controlled the action from the top and rode Caldwell out, nearly turning him for back points in the process. Trailing 2-0, Caldwell chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 2-1 score. Caldwell shot low and Taylor deftly countered for another takedown and 4-1 lead with 1:00 on the clock. Taylor continued to try and turn Caldwell, building up 1:21 in riding time before cutting him loose to a 4-2 lead. Leading 4-2, Taylor chose down to start the third period. Caldwell was able to maintain control long enough to kill the riding time edge. Taylor picked up another point on an illegal hold call and led 5-2 with :45 left to wrestle. Caldwell continued to control the action from the top, trying to turn Taylor. But the Lion senior fought off every effort and walked away with a 5-2 win.

174: All-American Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah), ranked No. 4 at 174, met No. 2 Chris Perry in a rematch of last year’s NCAA title bout. Brown shot low on Perry, appearing to take him down right out of the gates. Brown did not get the call and the scramble worked its way to the outside circle where Perry countered and looked for his own takedown. Brown adjusted his weight and nearly had Perry pinned in front of the Oklahoma State bench. But no fall was called and Perry was given a takedown as action moved out of bounds. Trailing 2-0, Brown eventually worked his way to an escape, cutting the lead to 2-1 with :50 on the clock. The Lion junior then upped his offensive pressure, forcing Perry into defense with a swiftly flurry of shots. Perry was able to back out of trouble for the rest of the period and led by one after one. Brown chose down to start the second period and Perry was hit with a second caution on the start. Brown escaped to a 2-2 tie with 1:36 to wrestle but Perry had 1:12 in riding time. Brown continued to set the tempo and Perry continued to play the outside circle with the score tied at the 1:00 mark. Brown took a 3-2 lead when Perry was hit for a second stall at the :30 mark and carried that lead into the final period. Perry chose down to start the third period and Brown maintained control long enough to kill the riding time edge and then cut him loose to a 3-3 tie. Brown continued to shoot and Perry continued to look for offense on counters as the clock ticked down below :30. Tied 3-3, the bout moved into a first sudden victory period. Brown pressed Perry and Perry continued to counter but neither wrestler connected and the match moved into a tie-breaker. Perry was down first and Brown was able to work his way into control of the Cowboy, keeping him down and killing the first :30. Brown then chose down and could not work his way to an escape, moving the bout into a second sudden victory. Brown fought solid Perry shot and nearly scored on his own low single but the match moved to a second tie-breaker still tied 3-3. Brown chose down to start this tie-breaker. At a reset with :13 , Brown was unable to break free and Perry had down for his shot at the second tie-breaker. Perry quickly escaped to a 4-3 lead. Brown got in on a low single and nearly grabbed the win but Perry fought off the move and escaped with the thrilling 4-3 (TB2) win.

184: All-American Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), ranked No. 2 at 184, faced off against Cowboy Nolan Boyd. Ruth scored quickly, taking a 2-0 lead. He then wrapped up a cradle and nearly took the Cowboy to his back but Boyd was able to fight off the move and escaped to a 2-1 Ruth lead. Ruth scored quickly again, using a high single off a reset to take a 4-1 lead with 1:20 on the clock. He then began working on another cradle but Boyd once again stood firm and Ruth led 4-2 with :30 left. Ruth quickly picked up a third takedown and then used a cradle to turn Boyd for two back points and an 8-2 lead at the buzzer. Trailing by six, Boyd chose down to start the second period but Ruth was too strong. He built his riding time up over 2:00 while looking for another turning combination. The Lion senior nearly connected on another cradle but Boyd was able to keep flat and escaped to an 8-3 Ruth lead with :30 on the clock. Ruth used a quick low counter with just :08 left to lead 10-4 heading into the third. Ruth chose down to start the third period and deftly reversed the Cowboy to up his lead to 12-4. He eventually locked up the cradle and sent the Rec Hall faithful to their feet with a pin at the 5:41 mark, putting the Nittany Lions up 15-12.

197: Sophomore Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.), ranked No. 3 at 197, took on Oklahoma State’s Kyle Crutchmer. McIntosh scored quickly, taking Crutchmer down for a 2-1 lead in the first :30. McIntosh’s offense forced Crutchmer into a first stall warning at the 1:00 mark. The Lion sophomore continued to shoot while Crutchmer looked to counter. McIntosh picked up a point on another Crutchmer stall and led 3-1 after one period. McIntosh chose down to start the second and nearly notched a reversal. The escape gave the Lion a 4-1 lead and he continued to force Crutchmer back on his heels. McIntosh connected on a nice high double leg, taking a 6-1 lead with 1:25 on the clock. He then turned the Cowboy for back points, reset himself and nearly got the point. Crutchmer fought off his back but McIntosh’s offense gave him an 8-1 lead. The Lion then worked Crutchmer over once more, picking up three more back points to lead 12-1 after two. Crutchmer chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to a 12-2 score. McIntosh continued to force Crutchmer backwards, looking for an opening to walk through and up his lead. McIntosh picked up another point on

285: Junior Jon Gingrich (Wingate, Pa.) met Ethan Driver at 285. Gingrich exploded out of the gates for a takedown and a 2-0 lead just :20 into the bout. The Lion junior controlled the action from the top position, building up 1:21 in riding time before Driver escaped to a 2-1 score. Driver shot low on Gingrich but the Lion junior quickly countered the shot, worked his way behind the Cowboy and took a 4-1 lead with a takedown of his own. Trailing 4-1, Driver chose down to start the second and escaped to a 4-2 score with 1:20 left. Gingrich built up a 2:27 riding time edge in the process. Gingrich added a third takedown and led 6-3 with :40 left, cutting Driver loose and looking for another chance to add to his lead. The Lion junior bulled through a low double to carry an 8-3 lead with 2:55 in time into the third. Gingrich chose down, quickly escaped and took Driver down again to lead 11-3. The Lion, with a clinched riding time point, then tacked on one more takedown and posted the strong 14-5 major with 3:06 riding time.