College insider: Graham grads wrestling well at Penn State

Graham High School graduate David Erwin (top), a fifth-year senior wrestler at Penn State University, competes in a recent tournament for the Nittany Lions.

Contributed photo Graham High School graduate David Erwin (top), a fifth-year senior wrestler at Penn State University, competes in a recent tournament for the Nittany Lions.

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 8:57 PM Saturday, January 23, 2010

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — David Erwin doesn’t pay attention to rankings.

The Penn State University 184-pound senior wrestler and Graham High School graduate couldn’t tell you he’s ranked No. 12 in the nation in latest USA Today/National Wrestling Coaches Association Poll.

He only cares about what takes place on the mat.

“Every match is just one step closer,” he said. “I’m trying to reach the goals I’ve had since I came to college.”

Erwin had rarely been healthy during his time for 13th-ranked Penn State.

His true freshman year, he went 23-8 and advanced to the Big Ten Championships, but was hampered by an injury. Last year, he won a spot on the team at 174 pounds, defeating eventual All-American Quentin Wright in the Nittany Lion wrestle-offs, before suffering a shoulder injury in the semifinals at the first meet of the season at Michigan State.

“I was on the bottom and I felt it pop,” Erwin said. “I came back and went the doctor in State College and it was done after that.

“I’ve had some misfortune with injuries,” he continued. “I’ve had some success, but I haven’t reached close to the goals I had for myself.”

This season, Erwin is fully healthy and ready to make a run at a national championship. On Dec. 6, he won the Nittany Lion Open, going 6-0. His record is 19-5, and he knows every match is important.

“It all comes down to this,” Erwin said. “I’ve got one more chance to (win a title).”

Erwin knows he needs to stay on top of his game every match to compete for a national title.

“It’s pretty simple: My goal is to win a national title,” Erwin said. “I’m in the running for it. If I go out and compete the way I can, I’ll be in the mix.”

Erwin is joined at Penn State by Graham grad David Taylor, a four-time state champion who is red shirting this year.

Taylor has been performing well as an unattached wrestler, going 16-2. He moved up from the 135 class he wrestled at last year to 157.

He’s won two titles this season, including the 2009 Mat-Town U.S.A. Tournament on Nov. 28, going 5-0.

Both of his losses came to senior teammates. He fell to Bubba Jenkins, the 2008 national runner-up, 4-3 on Nov. 22 at the East Stroudsburg Open, then fell to No. 4 Cyler Sanderson 9-7 at the Nittany Lion Open.

“I feel like I’m right there with those guys and I could be competing with them,” Taylor said. “I feel like I’m getting better every day.”

Taylor said it’s tough to sit out, but understands it will only help him down the road.

“At the same time you can focus on the things you need to get better at,” Taylor said. “I’ve continued to have a chance to get better all the time. Another year from now, I’ll be right there.”

Short take

Bowling: Kenton Ridge High School graduate Ryan Dobie, a freshman at Wright State, averages 189 for the men’s team.

KR grad Dean Reynolds (187 average), a senior, and Northwestern graduate Daniel Sakaitis (186 average), a freshman, are also members of the squad. Wright State is ranked fifth in the nation by CollegeBowling.com.

Contact this

reporter

at (937) 328-0365 or mcooper@coxohio.com.

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