MORGANTOWN, W.V. - The Penn State wrestling team, holding the No. 1 spot on Intermat's TPI, rolled through West Virginia in the first road dual of the year for the team. The Nittany Lions, under the direction of head coach Cael Sanderson, used four pins to post the 44-3 victory in Morgantown.
Sophomore All-American Nico Megaludis got Penn State's its first dual meet pin of the year by getting a fall at the 5:53 mark over WVU's Gage Swartz. West Virginia picked up a tough win at 133 when No. 17 Colin Johnston battled to a 6-2 victory over Lion sophomore Nate Morgan. Nittany Lion senior Bryan Pearsall then posted a superb 2-0 win over No. 19 Nathan Pennesi of West Virginia, using an escape and full third period ride-out to post the victory.
Senior James English continued Penn State's strong start with a dominant 8-0 major decision over WVU's Brutus Scheffel. English got the major with a 1:44 riding time edge. No. 2 Dylan Alto turned a first period takedown quickly into a pin. Alton took WVU's Jason Luster down with just over :30 left in the opening period and swiftly turned him to his back for a fall at the 2:28 mark, giving Penn State a 19-3 lead midway through the dual.
Two-time All-American David Taylor, ranked No. 2 at 165, put on a takedown clinic against West Virginia's Dominic Prezzia. He tallied eight takedowns on his way to a 20-5 technical fall at the 6:04 mark. Sophomore Matt Brown ranked No. 4 nationally at 174, matched Alton's quick pin, turning a second period takedown into a swift pin over WVU's Ross Renzi at the 4:10 mark.
Two-time All-American Ed Ruth, ranked No. 1 at 184, dominated West Virginia's Lance Bryson, rolling to an 11-1 major decision with 4:33 in riding time. Three-time All-American Quentin Wright ranked No. 3 at 197, made short work of WVU's A.J. Vizcarrando. Wright caught Vizcarrando's shoulders early, getting the pin just :25 into the bout to put Penn State up 40-3. Nittany Lion sophomore Jimmy Lawson made his Penn State debut a fine one, rolling to a 9-0 major decision with 3:43 in riding time, giving Penn State the final 44-3 victory.
The Nittany Lions posted a 30-2 edge in takedowns and racked up 17 bonus points off four pins, three majors and a technical fall. Penn State is now 2-0 on the year while West Virginia falls to 1-2.
The Nittany Lions will take part in the 2012 Nittany Lion Open on Sunday, Dec. 2, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Rec Hall.
