Click on the thumbnail to see more photos from the event. Photos by Nathan A. Smith.
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By Shawn Myrick
An early lead for Penn State proved enough to hold off a late run by Illinois and give head coach Cael Sanderson his first Big Ten victory.
“Every Big Ten win is an important win,” said Penn State freshman Bryan Pearsall. “Especially to see Sanderson get his first Big Ten win.”
The No. 13 Lions (8-3-1, 0-0 Big Ten), who won the dual 24-11, came out early, scoring in their first six matches to take a 21-0 lead over No. 19 Illinois (5-3, 0-0 Big Ten).
“It takes a little pressure of to get ahead early,” said Pearsall.
The Illini put some late pressure on the Lions by scoring in the next three matches to lower Penn State’s lead to 21-11. Despite the eventually victory, Sanderson was not pleased with the Lion’s late match performances.
“I do not care about the win,” said Sanderson. “(We are) not even close to having the effort that we want, competing with the right look in your eye and we did not even show that tonight.”
Junior Brad Pataky at 125 pounds started the dual of with a 7-3 decision win to give the Lions a 3-0 lead. Pearsall at 133 pounds was able to stay on his side to hold of a late pin effort by Illinois freshman Daryl Thomas and win by decision with a close margin of 13-12.
‘I was not thinking about the score going into the third period,” said Pearsall. ‘I thought to myself, ‘Keep wrestling.’ ‘
Adam Lynch at 141 pounds pulled of huge pin in the second period to come from behind 0-2. The senior was able to toss opponent No. 11 Ryan Prater onto his back and with some effort pin him down.
“My mentality out there was to tire him out,” said Lynch. “I knew once I tired him out my opportunity to score points went up.”
Penn State’s followed this up with three straight victories by No. 5 Frank Molinaro, No. 5 Cyler Sanderson, and No. 8 Dan Vallimont. The Lions began stumbling when facing the Illini’s final three ranked wrestlers.
“I thought our team was a little tired ,which is uncharacteristic,” said Sanderson. “You got to fight through adversity and we did not do that.”
The Illini scored their first points with a technical fall victory at 174 pounds by No. 14 Jordan Blanton over freshman Justin Ortega. Penn State’s No. 12 David Erwin at 184 pounds followed this up with a decision loss to No. 2 John Dergo.
“I was trying to wrestle and push the pace and it just didn’t turn out the way I wanted,” said Erwin. “I had game plan to wrestle seven minutes and that just did not happen.”
The lions would lose by decision at 197 pounds, but would close off with a decision win by heavyweight No.11 Cameron Wade. About 4,800 packed Rec Hall to witness the victory and were loud and involved throughout the match.
“Nothing beats the Penn State home crowd,” said Erwin. “They are the best in the country.”
“It was a great atmosphere,” added Sanderson.
