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ST. LOUIS — In winning four straight NCAA Wrestling Championships team titles, Penn State waited until the finals to clinch the last three seasons.
There was no drama for the Nittany Lions on Saturday as they and everyone else was eliminated from title contention Saturday afternoon when Ohio State claimed its first national title in wrestling in school history.
The only drama remaining for PSU during Saturday night’s finals was the 174-pound gold medal match with Matt Brown looking to continue the team’s individual national championship streak to five straight seasons.
And there sure was tension.
In one of the most controversial matches of the whole tournament, Brown defeated Tyler Wilps from Pittsburgh 5-4 to claim his first national title.
Trailing by one point with five seconds to go in the third period and on bottom, Brown was awarded a point for stalling because Wilps was holding onto just one leg to tie the score at 4-4. Then with time expired, Penn State coach Cael Sanderson waved the challenge flag arguing that Wilps had locked his hands. After review, it was determined that Sanderson was correct.
Pitt coach Jason Peters then challenged himself, arguing that time had expired before Wilps locked his hands. The play was looked at again, was announced as correct and Brown was declared the winner after finishing as runner-up a year ago.
Wyoming Seminary grad Mike McMullan rebounded from a tough loss in Friday night’s semifinals to win two matches Saturday afternoon and take third, including a win over Penn State’s James Lawson in the wrestlebacks. He ends his brilliant career with Northwestern as a four-time All-American with all four medals being in the top three.
McMullan becomes the third wrestler in program history to be honored as an All-American four times and is the only one to do so in the same weight. He ends as one of the best wrestlers in school history, including a career record of 103-23.
“I had a fantastic opportunity to go to an elite school and compete in a great conference,” McMullan said via the school’s athletic website. “I never envisioned myself having the kind of career that I did. It is indescribable. People dream of having this kind of success, and I am just really fortunate to have been blessed.”
Also on Saturday afternoon, Penn State’s Jimmy Gulibon (133 pounds) grabbed the fifth-place medal, Morgan McIntosh finished third at 197, Jimmy Lawson placed sixth at 285 and Jordan Conaway took eighth in the 125-pound class. Five of the Nittany Lions’ seven wrestlers who entered the tournament walked away as All-Americans.
WOMEN’S LACROSSE
Alvernia 19, King’s 4
An early first-half lead didn’t last for King’s as Alvernia scored 15 straight goals to earn a road win.
Kendra McCoy, Gabriella Morrocu, Sarah Almony and Breanna Schurgot had the goals for the Lady Monarchs.
MEN’S LACROSSE
Misericordia 6, Lycoming 3
Patrick Kellish finished with two goals and an assist as the Cougars held off Lycoming at home.
Chris Fleming also scored twice while Lane Kocovsky (two assists) and Kyle Reese had one goal apiece. Patrick Johnson had 13 saves in net.