By Matt Allibone, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A day before departing for the final NCAA Championships of his decorated career, Penn State senior Quentin Wright couldn't have looked more relaxed as he stepped inside the wrestling room in Rec Hall.

With the Nittany Lions gunning for the their third-straight national title, the three-time All-American admitted that for he and his teammates, the upcoming weekend will be business as usual.

"Every tournament you have to look at it the same way, and take it one match at a time," said Wright. "As a team and as individuals we just have to focus on the little things."

The national tournament, which will take place in Des Moines, Iowa from Thursday through Saturday, shouldn't feel too different for Penn State, as all 10 of their starters have qualified and will be making the trip.

For some veterans, such as Wright, junior Ed Ruth, and junior David Taylor, the tournament will be an opportunity to capture their second individual national title.  Other wrestlers, such as freshman Jordan Conaway, sophomore Matt Brown, sophomore Jimmy Lawson, and senior Bryan Pearsall, will be competing at the NCAA Championships for the first time.

Conaway, who will be entering the tournament as the 12^th seed at the 133 weight in his first year as a starter, could barely contain his excitement for the weekend.

"I'm really pumped and I can't wait," said Conaway. "Last year I was just a workout partner so getting the chance to score points and contribute is really exciting."

Since it will be his first time wrestling in a tournament of such magnitude, Conaway has been relying on advice from his more experienced teammates, including Wright and Ruth, to get him prepared mentally.

"Quentin was telling me how the first takedown can make or break a match because some kids give up two points and quit," said Conaway. "I'm looking to make sure I don't do that and that I make the other kids quit."

Ruth, who has his own task at hand as he attempts to complete an undefeated season, has still taken it on himself to make sure his younger teammates are ready to compete.

According to the 184-pounder, staying confident no matter who they're facing will be the key for every Nittany Lion.

"For the guys who haven't been in the lineup as long I just tell them to go out and take it," said Ruth. "I tell them it's their throne and nobody should be sitting up there but them."

Having won the past two NCAA Championships and having just clinched their third-straight Big Ten Title, the Nittany Lions know they will be under constant fire, as every team in the nation will be gunning to end their reign as champions.

They wouldn't have it any other way, as wrestling with a bulls-eye on their backs has become second nature to the Lions by this point.

"People are coming at us to knock us off but that just shows you where our team is at," said Ruth. "I take the mentality that when I step on the mat the person I'm wrestling has to worry about me and not the other way around."

Head coach Cael Sanderson agreed with Ruth's sentiments, and also seemed optimistic about how his team looks coming off of another Big Ten Title.

Having a core group of wrestlers who have already had success at the highest level is what Sanderson feels sets his team apart.

"We have some great veterans who have a lot of poise and confidence as well as experience," said Sanderson. "That rubs off on the guys who haven't been there."

Ultimately, the fate of the Nittany Lions will be whatever they want it to be, according to Sanderson.

"Our guys are prepared, now it's just a matter of what they chose to do," said Sanderson. "They can chose to go out there and make it happen or not, and I think our guys our in a position to make it happen."

There is no doubt that the Nittany Lions will choose to give it their all, and that they will be enjoying themselves along the way.

"It gives us energy knowing these are the last matches we'll have this season," said Ruth. "We just want to enjoy every last minute we have on the mat."