High School Wrestling All-American and Nation’s Top Recruit David Taylor Commits to Penn State

Sanderson and Nittany Lions land nation’s top talent

            STATE COLLEGE, Pa.; June 9, 2009 – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling program, under the guidance of head coach Cael Sanderson, received more outstanding news today as high school All-American David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) committed to Penn State. Taylor is considered by many to be the top wrestling recruit in the nation.  He signed a financial aid letter today and will join the Nittany Lions this fall for the 2009-10 campaign.

            Taylor had signed a national letter of intent to attend Iowa State but was given a release from that NLI earlier this spring when Sanderson made the move to Happy Valley to take over the reins of the Nittany Lion program.  Since an athlete may only sign one NLI, Taylor’s acceptance of the financial aid agreement solidifies his status as Penn State’s newest Nittany Lion grappler.

            “We’re very pleased to welcome David to Penn State,” Sanderson said.  “He is an outstanding young man from an outstanding family and his addition to our program is great news for every Penn State wrestling fan.  David is a special talent whose character will allow him to excel at the collegiate level and it is an honor to have him join our program.”

            Taylor, the son of David and Kathy Taylor, recently concluded an outstanding high school career at St. Paris Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio.  Under the guidance of head coach Jeff Jordan, the Falcons have reeled off a stunning nine consecutive Ohio State Division II state titles and have claimed the 2008 DII National Championship as well.  Taylor has had a major influence on St. Paris-Graham’s fortunes.

            This past year, Taylor received the prestigious Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award.  The award is given in honor of the former Olympic and World Champion and is given to the nation’s top wrestler, evaluated on excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, character, citizenship and community service.

            Taylor posted an amazing 180-2 overall record in four years and won four consecutive Ohio State Championships.  As a high school freshman and sophomore, Taylor claimed the 103 pound title and as a junior he won the 112 pound crown.  This past year, Taylor moved up to 135 for his senior season and rolled to his fourth straight championship.  David was named the 2009 Ohio State Wrestling Tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler and was named the Ohio Wrestler of the Year in each of the past two seasons.

            Not just garnering Ohio laurels, Taylor is a two-time Asics First Team All-American and has claimed the Beast of the East crown and won the Ironman title an unprecedented four times.  He is the only wrestler in that tournament’s long and storied history to win four titles.  He also won three Cadet and two Junior National titles in both freestyle and Greco-Roman competition.  Taylor was a member of the 2007 FILA Junior World team as well.

            “David Taylor is the kind of athlete any coach would be proud to work with,” Sanderson continued.  “We are welcoming an outstanding young man to our program that is as committed to academic excellence and his community as he is to succeeding on the mat.  He is an impressive person and I am confident that our fans will enjoy watching David’s career unfold.”

            Taylor’s off-the-mat achievements are as impressive as his work for the Falcon wrestlers.  He is a member and officer of the 4-H Club and is ranked in the top 10 of his class, carrying a 4.0 GPA into his final days at St. Paris-Graham.

            As an Asics All-America first teamer, Taylor joins fellow first teamer and Nittany Lion signee Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), who was also an Asics All-America first team selection after his title-winning run at the Blair Academy this past season, and Luke Macchiaroli (Tempe, Ariz.) in this year’s recruiting class.

Penn State Wrestling season tickets for the 2009-10 season can be reserved now.  To make a $20 deposit on the best Rec Hall locations, fans should call 1.800.NITTANY between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.  Current wrestling season ticket holders do not need to make a new deposit and will simply go through the coming renewal process.  Penn State wrestling season tickets are all reserved locations in Rec Hall.  The exact seat assignments for new commitments will not be available until the renewal cycle is complete, but new season ticket commitments made now will be assigned locations based on Nittany Lion Club point totals and the time/date the deposit was received by Penn State Athletics.  Season ticket pricing for the 2009-10 season will be finalized and announced by July 1, 2009.