January 21, 2010
NO. 2 PENN STATE IMPROVES TO 12-0, DEFEATES No. 21 PITT WRESTLING 30-7
State College, Pa. – The Pitt wrestling team fell to 8-6 on the dual
season, dropping a 30-7 match against the Penn State Nittany Lions.
The Lions improved to (12-0) in front of a jam-packed Recreation Hall.
The announced attendance was 5,827.
The Panthers jumped out in front to a 4-0 lead thanks to a strong
performance by sophomore Anthony Zanetta (125), who used seven takedowns
to record a 14-5 major decision over Penn State’s Eric Caschera. Zanetta
picked up a takedown in the first and then three takedowns in both the
second and third periods.
Penn State then turned the tide, taking the next four matches and a 15-4
lead after five bouts.
Although dropping his contest, redshirt sophomore Donnie Tasser (157)
became just the second wrestler this season to record a takedown against
Nittany Lion standout David Taylor. Ranked No. 3 in the country, Taylor
improved to 24-0 with the win.
At 165, redshirt junior Ethan Headlee put the Panthers back in
contention with a 4-0 shutout decision. Headlee scored a takedown in the
first period, followed by an escape in the second and a bonus point for
riding time (2:19). The win pulled the Pitt within eight points, 15-7.
Penn State then regained control with a pin by No. 2 ranked Ed Ruth
(174) at 5:45. Ruth became the first opponent to beat senior Andy
Vaughan in his six dual matches.
The Nittany Lions were able to clinch the dual meet in the 184 bout with
a 12-7 decision by No. 7 Quentin Wright over Pitt freshman Max
Thomusseit. Thomusseit stayed close throughout the match, picking up two
takedowns and a reversal, and trailing 9-7 early in the third period.
Wright picked up an escape and a late takedown to pick up the five point
victory.
At 197, senior Phil Sorrentino filled in for No. 11 junior Zac
Thomusseit, who was forced to miss action for the sixth consecutive
match with an injury. Sorrentino again provided a valiant effort,
wrestling nearly 13 pounds lighter than his opponent. Penn State’s Nick
Ruggear picked up the only takedown and each grappler exchanged two
escapes each as Ruggear took the bout 4-2.
In the final bout of the day, No. 9 Cameron Wade was able to knock off
Pitt redshirt senior Ryan Tomei (285), 3-2. Wade picked up a takedown in
the first period and held Tomei from earning an escape in the second
period. In the third period, Wade took a 3-0 lead with an escape. With
time ticking away, Tomei picked up a takedown to pull within one point,
but Wade was able to hold on for the 3-2 decision.
Penn State will likely move up to the top spot in the nation, after
current No. 1 Cornell fell to Lehigh on Friday night.
The Panthers return home to host Bloomsburg on Sunday Jan. 30 in their
second EWL conference match of the season. Match time is scheduled for 7
p.m. at Fitzgerald Field House.
Penn State 30, Pitt 7
125: Anthony Zanetta (Pitt) maj. dec. Eric Caschera 14-5 4-0 PITT
133: No. 5 Andrew Long (PSU) maj. dec. Shelton Mack (Pitt), 17-5 4-4 Tie
141: No. 5 Andrew Alton (PSU) dec. No. 7 Tyler Nauman (Pitt), 8-4 7-4
PSU
149: No. 6 Frank Molinaro (PSU) dec. Dane Johnson (Pitt), 8-2 10-4 PSU
157: No. 3 David Taylor (PSU) TF-5 (7:00) Donnie Tasser (Pitt), 26-11
15-4 PSU
165: Ethan Headlee (Pitt) dec. Jake Kemerer (PSU), 4-0 15-7 PSU
174: No. 2 Ed Ruth (PSU) FALL (5:45) Andy Vaughan (Pitt) 21-7 PSU
184: No. 7 Quentin Wright (PSU) dec. Max Thomusseit (Pitt), 12-7 24-7
PSU
197: Nick Ruggear (PSU) dec. Phil Sorrentino (Pitt), 4-2 27-7 PSU
285: No. 9 Cameron Wade (PSU) dec. No. 3 Ryan Tomei (Pitt), 3-2 30-7 PSU