The Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling team is a NCAA Division I Wrestling team competing as members of the Big Ten Conference.
Coached by Olympic Champion Cael Sanderson (Athens, 2004), the Nittany Lions have maintained status as a top wrestling program. Penn State held a four-time NCAA team championship winning streak from 2011-2014. Ed Ruth & David Tayor concluded their collegiate careers in March 2014. Ruth finished third as a freshman and then was a three time National Champion. Taylor was a two-time National Champion, finished as runner-up twice, and four-time All-American.
The Nittany Lions have captured three more consecutive championships in 2016, 2017 & 2018, bringing the Nittany Lions to a total of eight NCAA team National Championships. The 2015-2016 Penn State team includes such talented wrestlers as Nico Megaludis, Zain Retherford, Jason Nolf, Bo Nickal, and Morgan McIntosh.
Zain Retherford won his last 94 consecutive matches over his last three seasons, including three championships. Retherford and Megaludis won individual titles in 2016, as Penn State captured its 6th team championship. Both the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 squads had five wrestlers reach their individual championship match: Retherford (149), Nolf (157), Vincenzo Joseph (165), Mark Hall (174), and Bo Nickal (185). In 2017, all five won their matches, becoming the fourth team to accomplish that feat. All five returned to their championship mats in 2018, and all but Hall repeated as individual champions, helping Penn State secure their 7th and 8th team championships. The 2018 squad featured 8 All-Americans, bringing their all-time total up to 214. They have gone undefeated over the last three seasons in dual meets, riding a 45 meet winning streak into the 2018-2019 season.
Video Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling
History
Penn State wrestling program was established in 1909 and was declared national dual meet champion in 1921. In 1925 Penn State won all seven team duals in which they competed, finishing the dual meet season undefeated. Charlie Spiedel coached the team from 1927-1964, taking a four-year break during World War II to serve his country. He is credited with laying the groundwork for the Nittany Lion wrestling standard of excellence, and he guided the team to the 1953 national title.
Maps Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling
National championships
Team championships
In 1921, Penn State was declared the National Dual Team champion after defeating Indiana University & Iowa State. Penn State has won eight NCAA national championships as a team (1953, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018).
Individual Championships
Winners (41)
Penn State Wrestlers have reached their individual championship match 69 times, going 41-28 in those title bouts. The following table counts the achievements of Nittany Lion wrestlers by name as opposed to year.
Olympics and post-graduate careers
Penn State wrestlers have gone on to have success beyond their NCAA achievements. Wrestlers have had career success in the Olympics and in professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
Coaching
Current coaching staff
Head coach history
Roster
2014-15 Roster
Facilities
Penn State has high quality wrestling facilities. A wrestling room is equipped with equipment and gear. Nittany Lion wrestlers may take advantage of spacious strength training facilities, a practice room, athletic medical facilities and academic support centers housed in the venerable fieldhouse to maximize their talents. The Lorenzo Wrestling Complex - widely considered among the best in the nation - gives Penn State athletes a world-class facility for training. Recently renovated and expanded, the facility encompasses over 24,000 square feet, including the practice room, weight room, locker room and support space. The recent renovation more than doubled the size of the former wrestling room. When hosting home dual meets, mats are set in the gym. Penn State has committed over $145 million to Nittany Lions athletic facilities.
See also
- Iowa-Penn State rivalry
References
External links
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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