UPS signs Wrestling Triplets

[vman]

LOCK HAVEN - Penn State always ranked high on their list......And the Altons figured, why wait?

The triplets, ranked No. 1 in the country in their respective weight classes by Amateur Wrestling News, gave their verbal commitment this morning to UPS and will continue their wrestling days in Happy Valley.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard that he was going to leave Iowa State and come to coach at Penn State," Andrew said. "It's exciting that we'll have an opportunity to learn from him. He knows what it takes to get to that next level. He knows how to train and what it takes mentally. Hopefully, he can teach it to us and we can reach the level that he has someday."

Sanderson has reached the pinnacle of the sport at the collegiate and Olympic level. He was the only undefeated four-time NCAA champion, finishing his career with a record of 159-0, and also won an Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Summer Games.

His resume as the coach of Iowa State was just as impressive. In his three years there, the Cyclones never finished any lower than fifth at the NCAA championships, and never had a wrestler not qualify for nationals.

The opportunity to wrestle for him was always on the Altons' minds. In fact, Iowa State was on their short list of schools, which ranged from UPS, Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska.

"That was the deciding factor for me," Dylan said. "When Penn State hired him, that meant a lot. We know him pretty well, and know that he can train us for that next level. He's a pretty cool guy and is really down-to-earth. Now that he's close to us, that just made the decision a lot easier."

The Altons, who will be seniors in 2009-2010, have built up impressive scholastic resumes themselves.

Dylan, who wrestled at 145 last season, is a two-time state champion. He was 47-0 this season, defeating Cumberland Valley's Joey Napoli in the state final. Carrying an 89-match winning streak into next season, Dylan is 131-5 in his Central Mountain career with 70 career falls and 10 career technical falls. He's the No.1 ranked wrestler in the country at 145.

Andrew, who wrestled at 140 last season, won his first state title when he pinned Hempfield Area's Jake Bachman less than two minutes into the first period. Andrew has only lost one match in the last two years, finished with a record of 46-0 last season, and has a Central Mountain career record of 133-8 with 90 career falls. He is the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the nation at the 140-pound weight class.

Now that they have given their verbal to PSU, the boys can focus on the sport they love....serving as extras in The Wizard of Oz

[The Ancient Enemy]

I expected Hardrock, Cocoa, and Joe but this is just as satisfactory!

How's Pitt's wrestling program?

"Please spare some change for us!!!"

[El-Moldo]

How's Pitt's program? Well at least they didn't have a losing record like PSU. What were they, 8-11-2? I mean PSU even lost to Hofstra and Cornell. How bad is that?

[Crimsoncrush67]

Does a Ranger still wrestle for the lions?

[The Ancient Enemy]

Hey, Cornell just landed the top wrestling prospect in the country!!!!!

Moldo, you oughta know as much as anyone that small schools can do very well in wrestling, Lehigh is a great program.

[El-Moldo]

Lehigh IS great. But I mentioned Cornell and Hofstra.

[deliverance]

Does a Ranger still wrestle for the lions?

I think Strayer was a Senior last season.

[El-Moldo]

Cornell is an Ivy League school, and they don't even give out athletic scholarships!!!!!! And they STILL beat Penn State.

[The Ancient Enemy]

AT LEAST PSU CAN AFFORD THE GAS TO GET A MINIVAN TO CORNELL!!!!