Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/787374
minutes early, eager to get back into the routine. No sign of bitterness, no sense of regret. One of the most accomplished 20- and-under wrestlers in the world, Hall was taking his first college dual meet de- feat in stride. He wouldn't lose again. The following week, Hall won at Wisconsin by major decision, 18-4, against Ryan Christensen. He received a forfeit in his next match at home against Northwestern before pin- ning Ohio State's Justin Kresovic in 5 minutes, 21 seconds in front of a record Buckeye crowd. Then he came back for his first action in Rec Hall and won by technical fall, 16-1, against Illinois' Zack Brunson, a three-time national qualifier who had beaten Iowa's Meyer in Decem- ber. From that result, it appeared that Hall had found his place, as he took a 23-2 record into the match against Oklahoma State. "I've made the changes in my wrestling, in my diet to keep my weight up and I just teched a guy who beat [Meyer]," Hall said after defeating Brun- son. "I didn't even know that. It's just all about progress and enjoying the process of wrestling." A couple of days later, against Mary- land, Hall helped his Nittany Lions lay claim to their second consecutive Big Ten championship after splitting it last year with Iowa. Hall recorded the fourth of five consecutive falls by the Lions, a dominant run that started at 149 and ended at 184. The pinning streak largely demon- strated the power that lies within the middle of the Nittany Lions' lineup, and it's one reason why Sanderson agreed to let Hall give up his redshirt. Starting with Zain Retherford (149; 18- 0), Jason Nolf (157; 18-0), Vincenzo Joseph (165; 13-3), Hall and Bo Nickal (184; 17-0), Penn State has as much scor- ing potential with half of its lineup as all but a few teams will be able to muster with the entirety of theirs at the national tournament next month. Hall helps bol- ster that capability. Adding to the firepower is freshman Nick Suriano (125; 16-1), who is quickly becoming one of the best at his weight. There's also a resurgent Jimmy Gulibon (141; 13-6), who had won six consecutive matches leading into an anticipated showdown against Oklahoma State's Dean Heil in the Dual Championship Se- ries. Matt McCutcheon (197; 13-3) has been gradually progressing throughout the year after bumping up a weight class when Nickal did the same below him. In- stead of relegating himself to a backup role, McCutcheon has embraced the heavier weight class and appears to be ad- justing more with each outing. Nick Nevills (285; 15-2) has also rounded into form after battling an injury last year. Collectively, they comprise what Sanderson considers one of his better lineups yet at Penn State. ■ Sandwiches • Salads • Spuds • Soups • Sweet Tea HUB-Robeson Center • On-Campus mcalistersdeli.com he ic w nd a S • s ad al S • s u o S • s ud Sp T t ee w S • s p u a e T