Feb. 17, 2008
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The Purdue wrestling team suffered a 33-6 loss at ninth-ranked Penn State University (PSU) on Sunday, dropping its third-straight conference dual to a highly-ranked opponent and falling to 10-7 (2-5 Big Ten) on the year.
The lone bright spot of the day for the Old Gold and Black was a late pin from sophomore heavyweight Chris Kasten to upset 16th-ranked PSU junior John Laboranti. Kasten trailed through most of the match, giving up three takedowns before scoring one of his own with just over 30 seconds left and stretching Laboranti to his back at the 6:29-mark.
The Nittany Lions won the other nine bouts, including close matches at 157 and 184 pounds. At 157, third-ranked PSU sophomore Dan Vallimont eked out a 3-1 decision over Purdue sophomore Nick Bertucci. Vallimont managed the lone takedown of the match with just 45 seconds left to defend his national ranking. After breaking the Boilermakers' single-season pin record on Friday night, freshman A.J. Kissel nearly tacked on his 17th pin of the season at 184 pounds, but was stopped short by the official, declaring his arm-bar on 14th-ranked PSU junior Phil Bomberger a dangerous maneuver. Kissel rallied late, but still finished with an 8-6 loss to the Nittany Lion.
The Boilermakers wrestle their final match of the season on Friday; live on the Big Ten Network, at eighth-ranked Illinois. Start-time is set for 6 p.m. (EST).