UNIVERSITY PARK, PA– Redshirt-freshman Dan Neff (Quarryville, Pa./Solanco) picked up a thrilling 9-4 win at 141 pounds, helping the Lock Haven University wrestling team (1-2) prevent the shutout as the Bald Eagles fell to No. 1 Penn State (4-0), 42-3 in front of 6,292 fans, Saturday at Rec Hall.
Lock Haven trailed 10-0 after a pin at 125 and a major at 133, but Neff put The Haven on the board with his solid 9-4 win over senior Bryan Pearsall.
Neff dominated the match, recording four takedowns, including three in the third period. Neff’s third-period dominance led to over a minute (1:02) of riding time.
The 149 and 157 matches proved to be a pair of gems, but Mac Maldarelli (Merrick, N.Y./Nassau C.C.) and Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) were edged 10-6 and 5-2, respectively.
Lock Haven trailed 16-3 at halftime, but Penn State pulled away over the final five bouts, recording three pins and a tech fall.
At 285, Harry Turner (Howell, N.J./Howell) lost to No. 15 Jimmy Lawson 5-1, after the Nittany Lion secured the win with a late takedown.
Penn State recorded bonus points in six of 10 matches.
Lock Haven head coach Robbie Waller was very pleased with his team’s effort and had high praise for Neff.
“I was happy with the way we came out and fought early,” said Waller. “I’m very proud of Dan (Neff), who competed hard. We are getting better, but still need to finish.”
“This environment was a good test for us, as we head into the rest of the season,” said Waller.
The Bald Eagles return to action on Saturday, December 29 when they host the second-annual Brute Invitational in Thomas Fieldhouse. The 12-team tournament features nationally-ranked Pitt, Old Dominion, Bloomsburg and Kent State. For more information on the tournament, click here.
http://www.golhu.com/sports/2011/12/9/WREST_1209115724.aspx?path=wrestling
Individual Bout-by-Bout Results:
125: #2 Nico Megaludis (Penne State) pinned Bobby Rehm (Lock Haven) 4:10
133: Jordan Conaway (Penn State) major dec. Matt Bryer (Lock Haven) 13-3
141: Dan Neff (Lock Haven) dec. Bryan Pearsall (Penn State) 9-4
149: #5 Andrew Alton (Penn State) dec. Mac Maldarelli (Lock Haven) 10-6
157: #5 Dylan Alton (Penn State) dec. Jake Kemerer (Lock Haven) 5-2
165: #2 David Taylor (Penn State) pinned Aaron McKinney (Lock Haven) 4:41
174: #3 Matt Brown (Penn State) pinned Zach Heffner (Lock Haven) 1:37
184: #1 Ed Ruth (Penn State) tech fall Fred Garcia (Lock Haven) 17-2 (4:55)
197: #3 Quentin Wright (Penn State) pinned Phil Sprenkle (Lock Haven) 6:10
285: #15 Jimmy Lawson (Penn State) dec. Harry Turner (Lock Haven) 5-1
FINAL: #1 Penn State 42- Lock Haven 3
Lock Haven (1-2)
#1 Penn State (4-0)
Attendance – 6,292
Team Score by Bout:
125: Penn State 6-0, 133: Penn State 10-0, 141: Penn State, 10-3, 149: Penn State 13-3, 157: Penn State 16-3, 165: Penn State 22-3, 174: Penn State 28-3, 184: Penn State 33-3, 197: Penn State 39-3, 285: Penn State 42-3 FINAL.
Match Notes:
– LHU has lost 11 straight to Penn State and is 4-34 all-time vs. the Nittany Lions in a series dating back to 1942. Prior to Saturday’s match, LHU had been shutout in two straight matches by Penn State including a, 50-0 loss last year in Lock Haven. Lock Haven picked up back-to-back wins over Penn State in 2001 and 2002.
– All of Lock Haven’s starters in Saturday’s match entered with a winning record.
– Lock Haven is coming off a strong effort at the PSAC Championships. All 10 Bald Eagles placed and LHU crowned two individual champions. Bobby Rehm defended his title at 125 and Fred Garcia won at 184.
– Lock Haven is now home to 168 individual PSAC Champions.
-Prior to this year, 2005 was the last time Lock Haven had multiple individual champions.
– Jake Kemerer, who was second at the PSAC Championships remains at No. 20 in the Gregg Henry’s/WrestlingReport Division I rankings.
– Penn State is the two-time defending NCAA and Big Ten Champions. The Nittany Lion lineup featured two defending national champions and eight-of-10 starters were nationally ranked, including No. 1 Ed Ruth (184).
