THE DAILY COLLEGIAN Freshman Mrztellotti making an impact early By Mike Still COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Frank Martellotti had big shoes to fill stepping into the starting spot at the 125-pound weight class this season while two-time NCAA WRESTLING qualifier Brad 'a F 1 nurses a right knee sprain suffered during the preseason. The true freshman has answered the call thus far, having gone 5-0 in Penn State's five dual meets and breaking into the top-25 individual rankings at his weight class. Excited to be undefeated, Martellotti is pleased with his progress so far this year "I got off to a good start," the freshman from Pittsburgh said. "I didn't have the wins I wanted to, but I still had wins which is good. It gives me something to work on Wrestlers look to maintain weight after holiday meals By Brandt Gelman COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER According to the National Food through their warm up runs, hop and Drug Administration, the ing to get back to wrestling weight. average American consumes "The coaches did a great job 3,000 calories during a typical with the scheduling," true fresh- Thanksgiving meal. For a wrestler man Frank Martellotti said. "We looking to maintain weight, that had a two-week competition break one meal could be a nightmare. which gave us a little more leeway As the team took the mat for on how we could eat for the holi practice on Tuesday, the Lorenzo day" Katie Silvis/Collegian Heavyweight Cameron Wade (left) grapples with a Lehigh wrestler. the whop .:st of the season." The latest USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll has Martellotti ranked as the No. 18 125-pounder in the country. Despite catching the eye of the national spotlight, the true fresh man is staying level-headed, not bothering to let his national rank ing affect his attitude. "I don't really pay attention to that," Martellotti said. "You can't really pay attention to it if you want to get better. It'll just distract you and that's not what you want." Pataky, a senior who has dealt with the pressure that comes with high expectations, is impressed with the success Martellotti has achieved in his first year with the program. As a freshman, many expect a wrestler to come in and take their beatings in the practice room and in competition as well, Pataky said. Wrestling Complex seemed a bit warmer than usual. Many wrestlers donned full sweat suits SPORTS But the way Martellotti has con tinued to improve through such adversity is admirable and influ ential to the rest of the team. Junior heavyweight Cameron Wade reiterated Pataky's feelings. "He's wrestling great and work ing his butt off," Wade said. "He's a tough kid that just goes out there and gets it done. It's awesome." Martellotti isn't the only young wrestler on the squad contribut ing to the team's success this sea son. 'Rue freshman Andrew Alton, and redshirt freshmen David Taylor and Ed Ruth are all unde feated at 5-0, and have earned spots in the individual national rankings. Having teammates who are experiencing the same adversities and knowing he has the support of the whole squad have been instru mental to Martellotti's success. Coach Cael Sanderson held practice through Wednesday of last week to make sure the team stayed sharp over its time off. With so many members of the team on campus over break, the team sat down for a large Thanksgiving meal on the Monday night before the holiday. Junior Cameron Wade said each member of the team brought a different side dish to the meal, making the event a large feast. Wade, the heavyweight on the team, said it is nice to be able to eat a normal thanksgiving meal every year. He added that this year with the time off between matches, everyone got to indulge a little more than usual. "For all the guys that were up here for the meal it was great," Wade said. "We are like a second family." Sanderson said he is not sure how far team get-togethers such as this go toward team bonding, but added even if the team gets a little closer through these events they will continue to do them. On Wednesday, most members of the team went home to cele brate the holiday. True Freshman "It's all new basically, just a new like I've been here for years with experience," Martellotti said. "So the team's support." it's good to have new guys with you, but honestly, I already feel To e-mail reporter: massB6o@psu.edu Katie Silvis/Coilegian Frank Martellotti (top) tries to pin an opponent during Penn State's match against Lehigh earlier this season. Andrew Alton said he had to watch what he ate to maintain his 141- pound weight. Alton said he drank a ton of water to stay filled over the holiday, and added the coaches told him if he had to eat a lot, to eat turkey because it's healthy and filling. While Alton made sure to listen to his coaches' advice, he said some foods are just unavoid able. "I love potatoes and stuffing," Alton said. may have stuffed myself a little too much with those foods, but that's OK, I'm not too overweight right now" Junior Justin Ortega did not go home for the holiday he had his family bring a large meal to him. Ortega said his mother's stuffing, along with her homemade gravy is the "best in the world." He added this Thanksgiving was one of the better ones for him because he is currently a little underweight and had free reign to eat whatever he wanted. Redshirt freshman Ed Ruth agreed with his teammates that the time off between matches came at a perfect time. - They gave us this time off for a reason," Ruth said. "When I was done eating I felt like I was at least WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1, 2010 I 9 12 pounds overweight." The No. 5 Nittany Lions have not faced competition since their Nov. 21 Sprawl and Brawl dual meet, marking the longest break from competition the team has had since the beginning of the sea son. 'Any time you have a week off, along with Thanksgiving: there can be kind of a low there." Sanderson said. Sanderson said he brought the team back quickly from break, and held a practice that Friday. He was not worried about anything the team may have eaten on Thanksgiving. "It's not something we are con cerned about," Sanderson said. "It's not a bad thing to have a day like that once in awhile, it's more about what you're doing every other day of the week Whatever they like to go eat is fine as long as it's not against team policy:" One thing Sanderson said is strictly against team policy Snickers. He said he doesn't think anyone would break that rule, though. To e-mail reporter: bmgso94@psu.edu
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