Blue White Illustrated

been a three-time state champion at Cyprus High School, and he wasn't going to allow himself to fall out of shape. So he woke up early every morning and worked out in his bunk quarters. "As simple as it sounds, I just did P90X programs," he said. "A lot of push-ups, a lot of sit-ups, a lot of pull-ups. I woke up early to be able to work out. I put my best effort in and I think it was great for me. My body was able to mature." His maturation wasn't just physical. Brown said the experiences he gained during his two years in Africa will help him in the future, whether as an international freestyle wrestler or as an Army officer. "[I saw] a lot more poverty, a much simpler lifestyle," he said. "There are a lot of differences economically, but we're all human beings. We all have the same desires, we all want to be loved, we all react to a smile positivity, and that's universal. "There were great things that I was able to take away from that, and I think as I continue to develop and mature, I'm going to keep learning from those experiences." Two months before Brown departed for his mission, Cael Sanderson changed jobs, going from Iowa State to Penn State. Sanderson had recruited Brown while with the Cyclones, and the two were reunited when Brown decided to enroll at Penn State after being released from his Iowa State scholarship because of his religious mission. He spent his first season with the Nittany Lions as Ed Ruth's primary backup, and he gave the dominant Ruth the closest match of his national championship season – a 6-3 decision in the Southern Scuffle final. After reaching the championship match at one of the nation's strongest regularseason tournaments, Brown garnered notoriety as "the best backup in the country" from a couple of national wrestling media outlets. His performance in the Big Ten dualmeet season only confirmed that appraisal. Brown was certified to wrestle at 165 pounds, but he would some- times fill in for injured teammates at higher weight classes. Twice he wrestled at 197 pounds, and he won both matches, including a victory over the nation's 15th-ranked 197-pounder. With Ruth moving up to 184 for the 2012-13 campaign, Brown took over the 174-pound starting role – a more natural weight than 197. Heading into Penn State's Jan. 18 dual meet against Wisconsin, Brown had only one loss on the season and was ranked third nationally in a weight class that is loaded with top talent. He also has been making a name for himself with one of the roughest, meanest wrestling styles in the Big Ten. "Look at every match he wrestles," English said. "He's just breaking the other guys' necks off. They can't stand up by the time the match is over." Away from the mat, Brown is shier than some of his teammates, soft-spoken and often wears a smile – especially during wind sprints. In the classroom, however, he's just as determined as he is when he's wrestling. His coach said Brown is a 4.0 student, having received only one A- thus far in his college career. "Which is kinda ridiculous," Sanderson joked. "He dropped the ball there." Brown carries that same desire for perfection onto the wrestling mat. He's out to avenge his only loss so far this season – a pin by Minnesota's Logan Storely – and hopes to finish on a high note. The highest note of all? That would be a national championship in March. Which would only add to the legend of Matt Brown. Gingrich named starter at HWT; Altons suspended for one month Cael Sanderson dimmed the lights inside an empty Rec Hall, called upon sophomore heavyweights Jon Gingrich and Jimmy Lawson and let them battle it out. Gingrich and Lawson had already split a pair of preseason wrestleoffs, so they entered the first half of the season as co-starters. Sanderson had hoped that by January, one would emerge as the obvious choice to be starter. But January arrived, and the choice was far from obvious, with Gingrich going 11-4 and Lawson 12-3. So Sanderson set up a third wrestle-off for Jan. 11 in the empty gym. With only teammates and coaches in attendance, Gingrich landed a late takedown to win the exhibition bout, 3-1. Sanderson said Gingrich earned the starting spot with his victory. "Each guy on our team has to keep earning their spot," Sander- son said. "Nothing is a given, but [Gingrich] is carrying the ball right now." • With a championship at the Southern Scuffle Jan. 1-2, Penn State continued its reign as the unanimous No. 1 team in the country – even without two of its starters. Andrew and Dylan Alton, twin brothers from Mill Hall, Pa., were cited for disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and harassment on Dec. 21, according to the Lock Haven City Police. Andrew, ranked No. 3 at 149 pounds, and Dylan, ranked No. 6 at 157 by Intermat.com, have both been suspended from competition until at least Jan. 21. "As far as competing for the team, we gave them a one-month suspension [starting] from the [date of the] incident," Sanderson confirmed. - TIM OWEN

• Cover