Dec. 3, 2006

Contact: Josh Rattray

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Junior Mike Hurley (141) won five of his six matches en route to placing eighth on Sunday (Dec. 3) at the Penn State Open, the team's toughest competition so far this season. CSU (1-0) sent a dozen wrestlers to the tournament, which had over 600 wrestlers.

Hurley won four straight matches, including one by pin, in the consolation bracket after posting a 16-1 tech fall win and then dropping a 1-0 decision in the second round. Hurley opted out of the tournament with a medical forfeit after wrestling six grueling matches and clinching eighth place.

Additionally, freshman Cody Butzer (157) made his season debut a memorable one, finishing 4-2 and just one win short of placing. Butzer had been injured in a match on Nov. 1 in the team's intrasquad meet, and head coach Jack Effner was excited about his return to the lineup.

"Cody came in and did a really nice job for us," Effner said. "We've had a hole this season at 157 pounds and he really stepped up for us in that spot."

Seniors David Gilkey (184) and Ryan Hurley (157) each won three matches, as did sophomore Marcus Effner (165). Effner leads the team with 13 wins, while Ryan Hurley has 12.

Considering the level of competition, Effner was delighted with the results.

"This tournament was a step up in quality compared to some others, and that's a good thing," Effner said. "I felt like we fought hard and gained some good experience against some tough competition."

The Vikings, who were coming off a 38-3 dual meet win over John Carroll on Nov. 22, will compete at home for the first time this year on Sat., Dec. 16 when they host the CSU Open in Woodling Gym. It is the last of five open tournaments on the year for CSU.