The regular season is finally here as Penn State takes to the mats against Bloomsburg and Lehigh. Most fans have been anticipating the start of this season since last fall when Cael announced that most of Penn State's talented freshman would be redshirting. The time is finally here to see what all the hype is about. The Friday match up at Bloomsburg should provide a good opportunity for the young Penn State team to get out any first match jitters. Sunday the team returns to take on rival Lehigh in what should be a tough early test.
How To Follow Along
Unfortunately the gopsusports options remain lacking this year, you can get a live stream of the radio broadcast for all wrestling action. This does require a subscription to All Access. Anyone in the State College area can pick up the radio broadcast at WRSC FM (103.1) or WRSC AM(1390), and WSQV FM (92.1). For anyone in the Bloomsburg area the Friday match is going to air on WNEP2 so you may want to check your listings. Sunday's matchup against Lehigh will have a live webcast on flowrestling.com.
The Predictions
Bloomsburg has a very young team this year that features just one senior and one junior. The Huskie program hasn't received the hype Penn State has gotten but they do have several talented wrestlers in their line up. In the end this should be a big win for Penn State to start the year.
125: Frank Martellotti vs Sean Boylan
This should be a great match as Boylan comes in as a 3x Delaware state champ. Martellotti is obviously no slouch and he looked impressive in the intra squad scrimmage. In a toss up bout that could go either way I'll give the edge to Boylan who has a few matches under his belt and will be wrestling at home.
Boylan by dec
133: Bryan Pearsall vs Nick Wilcox
Wilcox is another tough young kid having won multiple NY state titles in high school. Pearsall still didn't show much offense in his bout against Sherlock in the intrasquad scrimmage.
Wilcox by dec
141: #14 Andrew Alton vs Derek Shingara
A battle of true freshman, Andrew should win this match fairly handily.
Alton by maj dec
149: James English vs Josh Roosa
Roosa is another talented wrestler coming off a 20 win season but only a 5th place finish in the EWL. English will be seeing his first action for Penn State. I think this is another toss up bout, but I think it's one English is capable of winning.
English by dec
157: #6 David Taylor vs Frank Hickman
Hickman beat Colby Pisani 19 12 in last year's dual he's a quality opponent but one Taylor should be able to beat. He's also moved up 2 weight classes since last year's dual.
Taylor by maj dec
165: Jake Kemerer vs Josh Veltre
Veltre is a sophmore who went 7 - 13 in his freshman campaign, this is a match Jake should win big.
Kemerer by dec
174: #13 Ed Ruth vs Mike Dessino
Dessino had 20 wins as a freshman for Bloomsburg. It will be fun to see Ed Ruth finally wrestle for Penn State I think he's very capable of finishing even higher than 13th.
Ruth by maj dec
184: #3 Quentin Wright vs Nate Graham
Graham is the lone senior in the Bloomsburg lineup he was an NCAA qualifier last year and had a pretty good 27 win season. A good early test to see how Wright handles wrestling up at 184.
Wright by dec
197: Justin Ortega vs Richard Perry
Perry is a true freshman who comes in after being a 2x state champ in Connecticut.
Perry by dec
Hwt: #9 Cameron Wade vs Zac Walsh
Wade pinned Walsh in last year's dual. Walsh had a record of 18 - 22 a year ago.
Wade by dec
Final Score Penn State 24 Bloomsburg 9
Not too far off a last years 23 15 win for Penn State but it still should be a solid win for Penn State and has potential to be a blow out with more bonus points from Penn State's higher ranked guys.
Lehigh comes to Rec Hall on Sunday ranked 15th in the country. They're coming off an opening win against Drexel last weekend. This match should be a good one as both teams seem to match up very well with each other.
125: Frank Martellotti vs Mitch Berger
Berger is senior who is seeing only his second stint as a starter for Lehigh he comes in with a career record of 15 -48. This is one match where if Pataky were I would almost count on bonus points. Martellotti still has the ability to deliver that but without having seen him wrestle a college match yet it's tough to predict.
Martellotti by dec
133: Bryan Pearsall vs Frank Cagnina
Cagnina is a true freshman who comes in after winning 3 New Jersey state titles.
Cagnina by dec
141: #14 Andrew Alton vs Stephen Dutton
Another battle of true freshman Dutton is a two time New York state champ. You have to think Andrew and the crowd will be pumped for this one. Many of the Penn State faithful having been waiting to see the Alton's in the Blue and White since they were in Jr. High.
Alton by dec
149: James English vs Joey Napoli
Napoli was a more heralded recruit coming out of District 3 but English does own 1 win against him a 3 - 1 ot win in the District 3 finals in 2008.
Napoli by dec
157: #6 David Taylor vs Sean Bilodeau
Bilodeau gave Sanderson a tough match last year, a match Sanderson won 5 2. Sean is a very tough defensive wrestler that could give Taylor fits early but I think Taylor figures him out as the match goes on.
Taylor by dec
165: Jake Kemerer vs #11 Brandon Hatchett
Hatchett is a returning NCAA qualifier who is coming off a strong sophomore campaign. This is a good test for Jake and a match I think he's capable of winning and one I would love to see him win, but it may be too early for that.
Hatchett by dec
174: #13 Ed Ruth vs Austin Meys
This should be another very good match both guys are redshirt freshmen. Meys is a rare five time state place winner from New York. This should be an exciting match with two very offensive wrestlers.
Ruth by dec
184: #3 Quentin Wright vs #14 Robert Hamlin
Rankings wise this could be the match of the dual meet. Hamlin won a major decision of Erwin in last years dual meet. Although it's worth noting that came during Erwin's awful slump to start the year. Hamlin is an extremely offensive wrestler but I don't think Wright should have much trouble with that. This should be a pretty good match.
Wright by dec
197: Justin Ortega vs Joe Kennedy
Kennedy is a returning NCAA qualifier he beat Clay Steadman 4 2 in last year's dual meet. I think he should beat Ortega fairly easily especially if Ortega falls behind early.
Kennedy by dec
Hwt: #9 Cameron Wade vs #1 Zach Rey
Rey and Wade have been very close in their past few matches, but Rey has won all of them including a 5 2 win in last year's match. This will be a good view into how much better Wade has gotten this year. Being close with the number 1 guy only counts for so much it's time to see if he can beat him. My hunch is no.
Rey by dec
Final Score Penn State 15 Lehigh 15
I hate to predicting a tie because it's not likely to happen but bonus points could very well be the difference in this one. Penn State has to avoid giving up bonus points at 133, 197 and HWT. Penn State's best chance at bonus points comes at 141. 149 and 165 are two swing matches that could swing this match in Penn State's favor. It should be a very interesting match to start the season.