Nittany Lion Wrestlers Add Lehig

Nittany Lion Wrestlers Add Lehigh National Champion Troy Letters to Staff

Anspach moves to assistant coach slot

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.; August 13, 2008 - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling staff has added yet another National Champion to the fold as Troy Letters, Lehigh's last national champion, has been named Director of Wrestling Operations. Former director Aaron Anspach has been named an assistant coach for the Nittany Lions.

Letters was a three-time All-American for the Mountain Hawks and claimed Lehigh's last national championship as well. He was National Runner-Up at 165 in 2003 as a freshman, won the 2004 NCAA National Championship and placed third in 2005. As a senior in 2006, Letters was hampered by a serious injury that kept him from gaining his fourth All-America nod.

"We're very pleased to add Troy Letters to our staff," said head coach Troy Sunderland. "The value added by bringing in one of the most decorated wrestlers in PIAA history as well as one of Lehigh's all-time greats is yet another step this program is taking in its quest to win the national title. Troy has had amazing success on the national level and that experience is vital to his role as director of operations."

Letters was an assistant coach at Princeton University during the 2006-07 season and then started and ran his own wrestling club in eastern Pennsylvania last year. He left Lehigh as one of the school's most decorated wrestlers. Beyond the success at Nationals, Letters was a three-time EIWA Champion and collected a superb 115-9 overall record. He posted an amazing 65-2 dual meet record.

"I'm very excited to join the Penn State staff, especially at this time," said Letters. "Penn State is in a great place right now and there's an exciting buzz about the program with all these changes and with the talent on this team. This group of guys, from the talent on the staff to the talent in the wrestling room, is poised to win a national title and I'm thrilled to be a part of it."

"I really look forward to adding my experiences at Lehigh to the mix here," Letters continued. "I believe my attitude, enthusiasm and love for this sport are a perfect fit here at Penn State and I'm ready to contribute to the team's success in any way I can."

Anspach, who served as Director of Wrestling Operations last year, is now an assistant coach. The 2007 NCAA National Runner-Up at HWT is in his second year on the Penn State staff.

"Aaron did an outstanding job for us last year as the director of operations," Sunderland said of Anspach. "This opportunity to move from the administrative side of our program to the coaching side is one I'm pleased he's accepted. His work ethic and skills on the mat will be a huge asset to us as we continue our drive to win a national team title. Aaron will be vital in helping our upper-weights continue their progress towards All-America status."

Sunderland's staff is now complete with Anspach joining first assistant Matt Dernlan, second assistant Mark Perry and director of operations Troy Letters. Dave Hart, working towards his law degree here at Penn State, helms the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.

Pat Donghia

Penn State Athletic Communications

814-865-1757