Blue White Illustrated

1 << OPEN MIC NIGHT Sanderson fielded a variety of questions during preseason media day on Oct. 29. His message, however, remained consistent. "We are really excited about the potential for this season," he said. Photo by Mark Selders/Penn State Athletic Communications Finding the new full-time starters. All the weight classes are open. At least that was part of Cael Sanderson's coachspeak at Penn State's media day in late October. But to begin the season, fans and media were primarily focused on the 133-, 141- and 285-pound weight classes. And with the news about Ed Ruth's suspension, the 184-pound weight class comes under the scope, too. Jimmy Gulibon, a redshirt freshman and four-time Pennsylvania high school state champion, was the expected starter at 133, but returnee Jordan Conaway fought and clawed for his spot and has not surrendered it easily. Conaway fell one win shy of attaining All-America status in 2013. After Gulibon won the initial wrestle-off, Conaway won their head-to-head match in the semifinals of the Binghamton Open on Nov. 10. They both competed during Penn State's opening weekend. Conaway won at Rider, while Gulibon fell at Lehigh. As of this writing, the starter at this weight class was unsettled. Redshirt freshman Zack Beitz, junior Nate Morgan and true freshman Zain Retherford battled it out for the 141-pound spot. "We're very deep at [141] this year as you can see, Sanderson said. "You go through " the lineup, and we're three or four guys deep. " But Retherford, the No. 3 overall recruit and a world freestyle champ a year ago, proved to be too talented to keep off the mat. He stormed to his first collegiate title in Binghamton, N.Y., and easily won his first two dual meet bouts of the season. Ed Ruth has had the 184-pound weight class locked down since the first match of last season, but with his suspension, Sanderson has been forced to look for temporary alternatives. James Frascella, a sophomore, opened the season vs. Rider and Lehigh, but finished the weekend with an 0-2 record. Senior Andrew Church and freshman Matt McCutcheon are also potential replacements for Ruth. Jimmy Lawson, a junior who qualified for NCAAs last season, garnered the preseason ranking at heavyweight, and he got the open- ing-day nod against Rider and won by major decision. Junior Jon Gingrich is also expected to see action this year. Gingrich went 14-6 last year, including two wins over top-10 opponents. Sanderson started Gingrich against Lehigh and he won, 5-2. Nick Ruggear, a junior and former 197-pounder, has beefed up quite a bit, and Sanderson said he could be in the mix at heavyweight , too. "It's been a while since any of those three have competed, so we'll see where they're at, Sanderson said. "We see them in practice " all the time, but we want to see them on the mat. " There is also some uncertainty at the 149and 157-pound weight classes, which brings us to... 2 Returning last year's starters. Andrew Alton (149) and Dylan Alton (157) both tore their labrums (opposite shoulders) last season and had off-season surgery. The twins and their coach said that they are recovering nicely, and Sanderson estimated that they will return by January. "They are ahead of schedule, Sanderson said. "Any" time that you have a major shoulder injury like that – that requires surgery – it takes time. They have both been doing a great job and I think they are a month ahead of schedule. They won't be wrestling for a while yet – maybe December or January. " James English (149) and James Vollrath (157) began the season as starters, but English is also battling an injury, so Beitz jumped up from 141 to face Lehigh. English and Vollrath have more than 40 career victories apiece, and depending on health, Sanderson said the 149- and 157-pound starting spots are still technically open competitions. "They're both seniors and have had some great wins throughout their careers, Sander" son said. "They'll do a great job. They're planning on being the starters, also." Penn State also will have to wait on Ruth to rejoin the lineup. After being suspended

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