Penn State Wrestling Update 1/30

Record: 13-1, 2-1 Big Ten

Ranked #1 in latest USA Today/NWCA Poll

LAST WEEKEND:

Sunday (1/30) vs. #8 Iowa (L 22-13)

THIS WEEKEND:

Friday (2/4) @ Michigan State (7pm)

Sunday (2/6) @ Michigan (2pm)

No matter what sport, it always seems like it's Iowa that ruins the party. In this case, it was wrestling, as the #1-ranked Nittany Lions fell to the #8 Hawkeyes 22-13 on Sunday at Rec Hall.

While the loss will knock Penn State from their #1 ranking, it also was a learning experience for a Nittany Lion team that had yet to truly face a challenge. Iowa, now winners of their last 73 straight duals, certainly provided that as they jumped out to a 12-0 lead and never looked back. Victories by Frank Molinaro and the still-undefeated David Taylor brought Penn State within 5 at halftime, but Iowa continued their dominance after the break to take the victory. 

The atmosphere at Rec Hall on Sunday was truly electric, with all fans all dressed in white as part of the Penn State White Out that was declared. The crowd of 6,686 was the largest since the mid-1990's when fire codes forced attendance to be capped, according to GoPSUsports.com. The noise was deafening, though unfortunately there were not many reasons to cheer, but Rec Hall remained packed until the very end. Even for those, like myself, who do not follow wrestling very closely (or at all), the atmosphere alone makes Rec Hall the place to be.

This coming weekend, the Nittany Lions face two Big Ten schools in the same state as they take on Michigan State Friday night and Michigan on Sunday. These duals offer Penn State a great chance to rebound from the loss to Iowa and get back on track.

Come out and Watch

There are still a few tickets to each of PSU Wrestling's final two matches in Happy Valley Friday, Feb 11 v Illinois and Friday, Feb 18 v. Wisconsin.

$8 for adults - $5 for youth (age 18 and under)

Order Tickets by Phone: 814-865-5555

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