Pitt’s Zanetta downs Penn State’s Megaludis at Nittany Lion Open
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The 2012 Penn State Nittany Lion Open was overwhelmingly a Keystone State affair. It was a day that saw countless former Pennsylvania wrestlers square-off in what turned out to be a very interesting Tournament. The excitement began at 125 lbs. when former WPIAL stars Nico Megaludis (Franklin Regional) and Anthony Zanetta (Keystone Oaks) clashed in the finals. Megaludis was a 3x PIAA State Champion in Class AAA and as a true freshman last season the Nittany Lion grappler earned All-American status when he finished his first NCAA National Tournament as the runner-up at 125 lbs. Zanetta was a 2x PIAA State Champion in Class AA for Keystone Oaks and has compiled a (82-28) career record while at Pitt. Zanetta is in his fourth year at Pittsburgh where he was an NCAA qualifier in all three previous seasons at 125 lbs. and was one win away from earning All-American status last season at the NCAA National Tournament. Zanetta will be redshirting this season making him eligible for a fifth year next season as a redshirt-senior. Last season, when Pittsburgh faced Penn State in a season dual meet, the two battled into overtime as Megaludis was victorious by a score of (4-2 in OT). This season Zanetta, a 3x EWL Champion, turned the tables on Megaludis as the Pitt Panther secured a (3-2) victory.
In another battle of former PA standouts Penn State’s Dylan Alton faced Clarion’s James Fleming in the finals at 157 lbs. Alton was a 3x PIAA State Champion for Central Mountain while Fleming was a 4x PIAA State Medalist at West Mifflin. Last season as a redshirt freshman Dylan Alton earned All-American status in his first NCAA National Tournament appearance as he finished in 3rd place at 157 lbs. Last season Fleming qualified for his third straight NCAA National Tournament, earning All-American status for the first time, as he finished in 5th place at 157 lbs. Last season the two faced off for the first time in their careers with Fleming coming out on top as he earned a fall in (1:58). This season the agressive Clarion senior has continued his success against Alton as he defeated the Nittany Lion by a score of (9-4) in the finals at 157 lbs.
In addition several other former Pennsylvania wrestlers earned Championships and medals at the Penn State Open with a complete list of medalist found below. Full results of the Tournament can be found here.
125 lbs.
1st Anthony Zanetta (Keystone Oaks) Pittsburgh – Redshirt Junior
2nd Nico Megaludis (Franklin Regional) Penn State – Sophomore
133 lbs.
1st Mason Beckman (Reynolds) Lehigh – Redshirt Sophomore
2nd Jimmy Gullibon (Derry Area) Penn State – Freshman
3rd Frank Martellotti (Shady Side Academy) Penn State – Junior
141 lbs.
2nd Evan Henderson (Kiski Prep) North Carolina – Sophomore
7th Zach Beitz (Juniata) Penn State – Freshman
8th Bryan Pearsall (Warwick) Penn State – Redshirt Senior
149 lbs.
1st Andrew Alton (Central Mountain) Penn State – Redshirt Sophomore
3rd James English (Central York) Penn State – Redshirt Senior
5th Luke Frey (Montorsville Area) Penn State – Redshirt Freshman
8th Trey Duncan (Spring Grove Area) Navy – Redshirt Freshman
157 lbs.
1st James Fleming (West Mifflin) Clarion – Senior
2nd Dylan Alton (Central Mountain Penn State – Redshirt Sophomore
3rd Jake Kemerer (Hempfield Area) Lock Haven – Redshirt Junior
6th James Vollrath (Council Rock South) Penn State – Redshirt Junior
165 lbs.
4th John M. Staudenmayer (Plymouth Whitemarsh) North Carolina – Redshirt Freshman
6th Nick Fischer (Unionville Area) Penn State – Redshirt Senior
8th Geno Morelli (DuBois Area) Pittsburgh – Treu Freshman
174 lbs.
6th P.J. Tasser (Belle Vernon Area) Pittsburgh – Redshirt Junior
184 lbs.
1st Ed Ruth (Susquehanna Township) Penn State – Redshirt Junior
2nd Jimmy Sheptock (Northampton Area) Maryland – Redshirt Junior
5th Lorenzo Thomas (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) Pennsylvania – Redshirt Freshman
197 lbs.
1st Quentin Wright (Bald Eagle Area) Penn State – Redshirt Senior
285 lbs.
3rd Jon Gingrich (Bald Eagle Area) Penn State – Redshirt Sophomore
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