×

Nittany Lions turn attention to Big Tens

Nittany Lions turn attention to Big Tens.

STATE COLLEGE – The one question on most Penn State wrestling fans’ minds — How is freshman 125-pounder Nick Suriano’s left ankle? — was addressed immediately Monday at the team’s Big Ten Wrestling Media Day.

“It’s coming along. It’s improving. I’m not gonna’ talk much about it, obviously. It will be kind of a game-day decision on Saturday,” Nittany Lion coach Cael Sanderson said.

“Physically, he’s just a monster. He’s recovering quickly. Mentally, he’s fine. He’s a tough kid, obviously extremely tough. He’s put a lot of time in — hours — and (trainer) Dan’s (Monthley) been putting a lot of time in with him. We’re optimistic.”

Sanderson said Suriano was the team’s only health concern just days head of the 2017 Big Ten Wrest­ling Championships on Saturday and Sunday at Indiana University.

A healthy, productive Suriano puts Penn State in the driver’s seat to repeat as Big Ten champs and win its sixth title in seven years. An absent or depleted Suriano tightens the gap between the Lions and Iowa or Ohio State.

Shortly after the media was ushered out of the Lorenzo Wrestling Com­plex, then conference released the tournament pre-seeds. Every Lion but one was seeded in the top four of his respective weight, predictive of Penn State advancing nine wrestlers to the 2017 NCAA Wrestling Champion­ships on March 16-18 in St. Louis.

Zain Retherford (149), Jason Nolf (157) and Bo Nickal (184) were top seeds. Suriano (125), Jim­my Gulibon (141) and Mark Hall (174) were seeded second. Nick Nevills (285) earned a third seed. Vincenzo Joseph (165) and Matt McCutcheon (197) were seeded fourth. Triston Law was seeded 14th at 133.

“At 33 we have to wrestle. We haven’t won a match in the Big Ten, so that weight’s a challenge. We’re optimistic too. We’re hoping to get 10 through,” Sanderson said.

The more important part is getting guys through who are gonna score the big points. Individuals have a chance to score a lot of points at the national tournament. You don’t necessarily need 10 guys to win.”

Two Lions expected to produce some of those big points are Retherford and Nolf. Sanderson said they have been working on countering a tactic opponents have been using to slow them down.

“Yeah, for sure, especially Nolf and Zain. I mean they (opponents) back up and and hit them in the face. They club the face, strike to the face…kind of a stalling tactic and that’s something that we have to get through.”

Retherford said tactics and attitude will defeat that strategy.

“I’m just looking to get to my attacks and where I want to be. We’ve been working on that and I’ve been focusing on that. But you don’t want to get frustrated because then you get tired and you start getting mad. I’ve been focusing on staying patient, staying in position and getting to my tie ups,” he said.

“I want to score. I think our team is that way, we want to score points. I want to do that as fast as possible. At the same time, wrestling is you’ve got to pick and choose sometimes and be patient. I’m learning that more as I’m gaining experience out here on the mat and competing.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today