The acquisition of the legendary Cael Sanderson continues to pay off for Penn State wrestling as the 2010 recruiting class was recently ranked No. 2 nationally by InterMatWrestle.com. The leading media outlet for college wrestling ranked the Nittany Lions behind conference foe the Iowa Hawkeyes. Wrestling fans believe the combination of this recruiting class, which sports 5 wrestlers in the nation’s top-100, and 2009’s will create a potent championship cocktail that will put Penn State wrestling back on the map.

2010’s recruiting class is headlined by twins Andrew and Dylan Alton who are ranked No.2 and No. 8 respectfully in the nation. Both brothers concluded their careers at Central Mountain High School (Mill Hall, PA) with a state championship adding to a total of 5 titles between the two look-a-likes.  Look for Andrew, the lighter of the two, to wrestle anywhere from 141 to 149, while Dylan should fit better at 157. But don’t forget, Sanderson typically red-shirts incoming freshman so don’t expect to see these boys in a Penn State singlet until 2011.

Coming in at No. 22 in the nation is Sam Sherlock, Penn State’s next best recruit after the Alton twins. Sherlock compiled a 114-13 record while wrestling for West Mifflin, Pa. and also added a state championship during his junior year. Sherlock’s senior year was cut short due to a knee injury, and while he is on a road to recovery it is vital that he red-shirts his freshman year.

Dirk Cowburn out of Coudersport, Pa. bolsters the recruiting class with his No.54 overall rating and 149 career victories. Cowburn dropped a 1-0 loss in the PIAA finals this past year after winning gold medals in the previous two seasons. Cowburn’s blue-collar wrestling style should translate well with Sanderson’s hard-nosed coaching philosophy.

The fifth and final top-100 recruit is two-time New Jersey state champion Hank Stinson, who is ranked No. 70 overall. Stinson left Eastern Regional High School (Voorhees, NJ) with a 120-10 career record and will likely have to fight Andrew Alton for a starting role.

Penn State also landed a slew of other legitimate recruits who just missed Intermat’s top-100 list. Check them out.

Frank Martelloltti from Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh, PA) won a state title his freshman year and went on to place in the top-3 his final three years.

Nick Ruggear comes to Happy Valley after finishing 5th at high school nationals in the 215-pound weight class. Ruggear was a pinning machine during his tenure at Oxford High School (Pa.) piling 49 pins throughout his career.

Seth Bietz finished his career at Juniata High School with a 44-8 record and state runner-up finish.

Besides Stinson, Cameron Kelly is the only other wrestler coming from outside the state of Pennsylvania. Kelly graduated from Pittsford Mendon High School in upstate New York. He was a two-time New York State qualifier and is projected to wrestle 125 or 133 once he breaks the starting lineup.

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