Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) have introduced a resolution to congratulate the Pennsylvania State University Wrestling Team for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Wrestling Championship. The victory on March 22nd gave the Nittany Lions their 4rd straight national championship, tying the all-time record for consecutive trophies.
“I would like to congratulate Coach Sanderson and his team for continuing their remarkable success,” Senator Casey said. “Once again, Penn State student athletes have made the entire state of Pennsylvania proud. I applaud the team’s dedication and look forward to their future achievements.”
“Pennsylvania has a long, storied history in the sport of wrestling,” said Senator Toomey. “This tradition has been enhanced over the last four years as the Penn State wrestling team has literally taken all of its competitors to the mat. A championship run of this magnitude is a direct reflection of leadership and Cael Sanderson has definitely struck the right chord with his squad. Congratulations to Coach Sanderson, his team, and Penn State University on the four-peat and I wish them nothing but continued success.”
In further recognition of their extraordinary season, seven Penn State wrestlers were named All-Americans. Seniors David Taylor and Ed Ruth, who each won individual championships, became the seventh and eighth wrestlers ever to be named All Americans in each of their four years. Head Coach Cael Sanderson, in just his fifth year at the post, has now led the team to four consecutive national championships and four consecutive conference titles.
The full text of the resolution is below:
Congratulating the Penn State University wrestling team for winning the 2014 National Collegiate Athletic Association Wrestling Championships.
Whereas on March 22, 2014, the Penn State University Nittany Lions won the 2014 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Wrestling Championships in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;
Whereas the Nittany Lions have won the last 4 NCAA Wrestling Championships and are 1 of only 3 wrestling teams in NCAA history to win 4 consecutive titles, joining Iowa
State University and Oklahoma State University;
Whereas 7 members of the Nittany Lions were named All-Americans at the 2014 NCAA Wrestling Championships, with seniors David Taylor and Ed Ruth becoming the
seventh and eighth 4-time All-Americans in the history of Penn State University;
Whereas junior Nico Megaludis became a 3-time All American, junior Matt Brown became a 2-time All-American, and senior James English, sophomore Morgan McIntosh, and freshman Zain Retherford became first-time All Americans;
Whereas crucial team points were earned by all 10 Nittany Lions competing in the 2014 NCAA Wrestling Championships, and the team finished with an overall record
of 38 wins and 15 losses in championship matches;
Whereas Ed Ruth became the first Penn State University wrestler to win 3 NCAA individual championships, and David Taylor became the sixth Penn State University
wrestler to win 2 NCAA individual championships; and
Whereas the Penn State University wrestling team concluded the 2013-2014 season with a record of 15 wins and only 1 loss, and won its fourth consecutive Big Ten Championships title: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) congratulates the Penn State University wrestling team, head coach Cael Sanderson, and assistant coaches Cody Sanderson and Casey Cunningham for winning the 2014 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Wrestling Championships;
(2) commends the Penn State University wrestling team’s wrestlers, coaches, and staff for their diligence, enthusiasm, and hard work; and
(3) recognizes the Penn State University students, faculty, alumni, and devoted fans who supported the Nittany Lions on their path to winning their fourth consecutive NCAA Wrestling Champion ships.
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