University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Penn State
No. 3 Gophers Upset No. 1 Penn State
2/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 9, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS - The No. 3 University of Minnesota Golden Gopher wrestling team upset No. 1 Penn State Nittany Lions in front of 5,603 fans at the Sports Pavilion on Sunday afternoon. With the victory over Penn State, the Gophers clinched a share of the 2014 Big Ten Dual Meet Championship.
The dual started with a bout at 125 between No. 2 Nico Megaludis of Penn State and Jordan Kingsley of Minnesota. Kingsley was unable to top second-ranked Megaludis and fell by major decision giving the Nittany Lions an opportunity to pull ahead by four early on.
No. 8 David Thorn won by decision over No. 16 Jimmy Gulibon allowing the Gophers to come within one of the Nittany Lions after the second bout.
No. 6 Chris Dardanes rejoined the starting lineup at 141 but ultimately fell to No. 2 Zain Retherford allowing Penn State to lead 7-3 going into 149. No. 3 Nick Dardanes came away with a victory in the second thirty second sudden victory, catching the Gophers up to the Nittany Lions 7-6.
No. 8 Dylan Ness had the crowd on its feet after an electrifying victory over No. 4 Dylan Alton of Penn State by fall at 5:23. The Gophers went into the intermission leading 12-7.
After the half, Danny Zilverberg fell by major decision to No. 1 David Taylor, 13-3 but the Gophers held onto the lead, 12-11.
No. 6 Logan Storley came up big for the Gophers as he defeated No. 3 Matt Brown by decision, 8-3, allowing the Golden Gophers to sit at a 14-11 advantage. The Gophers would go on to lose the next two duals as No. 8 Kevin Steinhaus and No. 1 Scott Schiller were unable to defeat their Penn State opponents. The loss for Schiller ended a 24-bout winning streak for the redshirt junior. After the two Gophers losses at 174 and 184, Minnesota was down by three with one bout to decide it all.
No. 5 Tony Nelson was able to win it for the Gophers with a 6-0 decision over Jonathan Gingrich. This victory broke a three-bout losing streak for the heavyweight redshirt senior. Nelson's decision lifted the Gophers over No. 1 Penn State by just one, 18-17.
Next weekend, the Golden Gophers will travel to Columbus, Ohio to compete in the NWCA National Duals on Sunday, Feb. 16 and Monday, Feb. 17.
RESULTS:
125: No. 2 Nicholas Megaludis (Penn State) won by major decision over Jordan Kingsley (Minnesota), 19-5. Penn State leads 4-0.
133: No. 8 David Thorn (Minnesota) won by decision over No. 16 Jimmy Gulibon (Penn State), 2-0. Penn State leads 4-0.
141: No. 2 Zain Retherford (Penn State) won by decision over No. 6 Chris Dardanes (Minnesota), 4-0. Penn State leads 7-3.
149: No. 3 Nick Dardanes (Minnesota) won in sudden victory 2 over Zach Beitz (Penn State), 6-4. Penn State leads 7-6.
157: No. 8 Dylan Ness (Minnesota) won by pin over Dylan Alton (Penn State) at 5:23. Minnesota leads 12-7.
165: No. 1 David Taylor (Penn State) won by major decision over Danny Zilverberg (Minnesota), 13-3. Minnesota leads 12-11.
174: No. 6 Logan Storley (Minnesota) won by decision over No. 3 Matt Brown (Penn State), 8-3. Minnesota leads 15-11.
184: No. 2 Ed Ruth (Penn State) won by decision over No. 8 Kevin Steinhaus (Minnesota), 7-1. Minnesota leads 15-14.
197: No. 5 Morgan McIntosh (Penn State) won by decision over No. 1 Scott Schiller (Minnesota), 7-1. Penn State leads 17-15.
HWT: No. 5 Tony Nelson (Minnesota) won by decision over Jon Gingrich (Penn State), 6-0. Minnesota wins dual, 18-17.
Players Mentioned
