TRUSTS CHOOCH IN A PINCH
This could be a big weekend for Penn State fans and alumni in the area, and not just because the men's hoops team is playing Temple.
There will be 70-some schools converging on the Wells Fargo Center for the NCAA wrestling championships beginning tomorrow and the Nittany Lions have a shot to claim their first title since 1953.
Penn State is bringing five wrestlers who won Big Ten titles earlier this month. But as coach Cael Sanderson said this week, "The conference tournament is important, but the nationals are what's the big deal."
Here's a quick primer at what's going on:
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NUTS AND BOLTS
What: NCAA Division I wrestling championships
When: Today-Saturday
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Who: 330 wrestlers in 10 weight classes representing 72 schools
Weight classes: 125, 133, 141, 149, 157, 165, 174, 184, 197, 285
Tickets: Officially, they are sold out. But there are plenty available online if you don't mind paying scalper prices and ridiculous fees
Format: Win, and move on. Lose, and go to the consolation bracket. Lose twice, head home. Wrestlers compete as individuals, but also accrue points for team competition, as well
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COMPETITION SCHEDULE
Today
Open practice (free admission), 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tomorrow
-- Session I (11 a.m.): Eight mats. Pigtails and first round.
-- Exhibition special (2:45 p.m.): Seven matches involving USA National Team, including six in a USA vs. World dual meet.
-- Session II (6:30 p.m.): Eight mats. Preliminaries: wrestleback (consolation) preliminaries, wrestleback first round. Championship bracket: second round.
Friday
-- Session III (10:30 a.m.): Eight mats. Quarterfinals and wrestlebacks.
-- Session IV (7 p.m.): Six mats. Semifinals and wrestlebacks.
Saturday
Philly Hoops Insider: Battles loom for local teams
