Lineup Update

The majority opinion lineup for the 2012 season is as follows.

125: Megaludis
133: Martellotti
141: Sherlock/Pearsall
149: Molinaro
157: D.Alton/English
165: Taylor
174: Ruth/Cowburn
184: Wright
197: McIntosh
HWT: Wade

Megaludis has expressed a great interest in jumping right in since he committed to Penn State. As far as anyone can tell, Cael is leaning towards granting him his wish. Megaludis is undoubtedly the most talented 125lb-er on the team right now.

It has been confirmed that Martellotti is once again in good academic standing and apparently wants to challenge for the 133 spot with Long out. Word is that he has improved a lot and should have very little trouble handling Reber for the spot.

I heard from one source that if Andrew Alton can make 141 again, he will start. Ultimately I think this would be a detriment to his career. Some good sources in Lock Haven have told me that he is walking around big right now. Even if he could make it back to 141, I think he would suffer with conditioning the same as he did in the 2011 season. Ultimately his career would be much less impressive than it should be due to a second season of sucking weight. On a side note, a lot of people I've read comments from think the only reason he should red shirt is so when he comes back all the guys that beat him will have graduated. Personally I think that is a great insult to Alton. He is a great competitor and I'd bet he wants nothing more than to have another crack at every single one of them.

Alton? Scared of these guys? Surely you jest.

 I've heard conflicting reports on who will win the battle between Pearsall and Sherlock. Pearsall edged him out last year, but it could be argued that Sherlock was still recovering from a torn ACL his senior year in high school. I've heard that Sherlock was dominating everyone except Alton, yet I've also heard that the race between him and Pearsall is neck and neck. We shall see.

A lot of people have been saying not to be surprised if English wins the starting spot at 157 over Dylan Alton. It would hurt to see Alton sitting out and losing a year of eligibility knowing just how talented he is, but if English wins it then he is the man.

Most people are assuming Ruth will be good to go at 174, but I'm not willing to concede that yet. His court date is set for tomorrow. If he doesn't go I threw Cowburn on the list as my guy.

It has been more or less confirmed that McIntosh will start at 197 this year and red shirt next year so Wright and Ruth can bump up next year. When he gets done with his red shirt 2013 season Wright will have graduated, leaving him a spot to earn his way back into the lineup.

COMIN-A-HATCH-YA!

The prospect of getting to see both Megaludis and McIntosh in blue & white so soon is exciting. The loss of Long and potential problems with Ruth really hurt, but this is still a team with big National Championship potential. Big Ten preview coming soon.