Brockport, N.Y. - The Penn State wrestling team left its mark on the 2002 Northeat Regional Freestyle and Greco-Roman championships last weekend in Brockport, N.Y. as two Nittany Lions claimed titles, five others placed and former Nittany Lions Ross Thatcher (2000) and Biff Walizer (2000) both brought home titles.

The current Nittany Lions to claim titles on the weekend were red-shirt freshman James Woodall at 163 and sophomore Marat Tomaev at 132 who won their respective weight classes in freestyle competition. Both qualified to compete at the U.S. World Team Trials held June 20-23 in St. Paul, Minn. Both are also expected to compete at the U.S. Open on April 26.

Also placing in freestyle on the weekend for Penn State were Curt Thompson (185/2nd), Jason Woodall (163/3rd), Adam Smith (121/3rd), DeWitt Driscoll (145/4th), and Eric Narkiewicz (145/5th).

Former Nittany Lions Thatcher and Walizer made big splashes on the Greco-Roman side of the competition. Thatcher, a Penn State assistant coach, was named the Outstanding Wrestler after posting 12-0 and 12-4 decisions on his way to the 211-pound title, while Walizer won the award for the most pins in the least time after sticking three opponents on his way to the final. He won 3-1 in the final at 145 to claim the title.

Also in action last weekend was former Nittany Lion NCAA Champion Kerry McCoy with the U.S. National Team at the 2002 World Cup in Spokane, Wash. McCoy downed Russian Oleg Khorpiakov, 4-1, at 264.5 pounds to claim an individual gold medal and help lead the U.S. to a team gold medal.