Ask Cael: Nittany Lion Wrestlers Ranked No. 15 in NWCA Coaches Poll

Story Published Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Nittany Lion Wrestlers Ranked No. 15 in NWCA Coaches Poll

Five Nittany Lions ranked in Intermat rankings, three in the top six

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.; December 1, 2009 – Five members of the Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team continue to hold rankings in the latest individual rankings released by Intermat and viewable at www.intermatwrestle.com. Head coach Cael Sanderson’s squad is also ranked No. 15 in the latest NWCA Coaches Poll after is 3-0 day at the Sprawl and Brawl Duals.

Senior Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah) remains Penn State’s highest ranked individual with his No. 4 ranking at 157. Sanderson is 4-1 on the year and was the Nov. 17 Big Ten Wrestler of the Week. Junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) stays at No. 6 at 125 with his perfect 5-0 record and was Big Ten Wrestler of the Week last back on Nov. 24.

Sophomore Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J,) moved up one spot to No. 6 at 149. Molinaro, like Pataky, is undefeated with a 5-0 mark including three majors. Senior Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) stays at No. 9 at 165 with a 4-1 record. Sophomore Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio) also moved up a spot to No. 11 at heavyweight. Wade is 3-2 with both his losses coming to top-ranked foes.

The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 15 in the latest NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll. The Nittany Lions are one of seven Big Ten teams in the rankings. Iowa is No. 1, Ohio State No. 4, Minnesota No. 5, Indiana No. 13, Penn State No. 15, Wisconsin No. 18 and Illinois No. 20. Purdue is also receiving votes.

Penn State is now 4-1 on the year and winners of four straight. The Nittany Lions return to action on Sunday, Dec. 6, when they will take part in the Nittany Lion Open at Rec Hall. The open tournament, which will feature many of Penn State’s red-shirts, begins at 8:30 a.m. in Rec Hall and runs all day. Penn State’s next home dual is set for Jan. 22 when it hosts Illinois at 7 p.m. in Rec Hall. Single event tickets will cost $8 for adults and $6 for youth. Group sales are available once again for groups of 15 people or more. Group prices are $4 in advance and $5 walk-up. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 1.800.NITTANY between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. All Penn State events will once again air live on Forever Broadcasting’s WRSC (1390 AM) or 3WZ (95.3 FM) and on www.GoPSUsports.com as well. The 2009-10 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.

Latest Questions in the Ask Cael Archive

- question: Do you think starting wrestling at a young age is helpful/important?
- I have been a head coach for only 2 years, so I cannot expect overnight success but This school has so much potential. Please help me with pointers on this problem.
- A kid that I wrestle in practice won’t let me tie up with him. I beat him but how do i get a hold on him when he always circles out when I try to tie up with him.
- Everyone around here almost automatically defers when they win the choice to start the second period. I believe that is counter-productive and want my boys to take bottom every time.
- I have two boys who love to wrestle, what do you think is the best way to bring them up the ranks, without “burning them out?” And what would be some good motivational ideas?
- I have watched videos of you in college where you put your head to the mat. Are you gaining an advantage by using your head on the mat?
- Can you explain why college wrestlers defense is so different?
- What is your philosophy regarding Team v. Individual in the sport of wrestling and how do you communicate this philosophy?
- What causes passivity? How can we overcome it?
- I graduated 2 years ago and recently got a coaching job coaching my old middle school team. What is some advice you could give me to help me get moves across to my team without skipping important details?

View Complete Ask Cael Archive by Date