UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; April 24, 2007 ¨C Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling All-American Jake Strayer (South Fork, Pa.) continued his outstanding year by claiming the 2007 University Freestyle National Championship at 63 kilograms. Strayer was one of seven Penn State place-winners at the national championships held in Akron, Ohio, this past weekend.

Strayer claimed his title by going 6-0 at 63 kg, downing Cody Cleveland 2-3, 3-3, 2-1 in the title bout. Strayer earned his first NCAA All-America tag this past March with a seventh place finish at the NCAA Championships. He went 27-8 in 2006-07.

Three-time All-American Phil Davis (Harrisburg, Pa.) went 4-1 at 96 kg to take third place as well. Davis earned his third All-America honor this past season after his fifth place finish at nationals. He posted a 28-5 overall record.

Dave Erwin (Urbana, Ohio), who started as a freshman two years ago and red-shirted last year, finished third at 79 kg. Erwin went 5-1 to claim the bronze medal. Erwin went 23-8 at 165 as a true freshman for Penn State at 165 in 2005-06.

Junior Mark McKnight (McDonald, Pa.) went 3-2 at 55 kg and took home fourth place at the event. McKnight lost a close three period decision in the semifinals before bouncing back to claim fourth place. He went 23-11 at 125 pounds this past season.

True-freshman Dave Rella (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) posted a strong 5-2 mark at 74 kg and took home fifth place. Rella, who went 21-13 this past season, claimed a three-period win over Iowa State¡¯s Trent Paulson in the process of taking fifth place.

Senior All-American James Yonushonis (Philipsburg, Pa.) also went 5-2 and placed fifth at 84 kg. Yonushonis, a 2006 All-American, went 30-6 this past year, leading Penn State in wins.

Sophomore heavyweight John Laboranti (Scranton, Pa.) was strong at 120 kg, going 4-3 and taking home sixth place. Laboranti red-shirted this past year after his transfer from Virginia Tech.

True freshman Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) had a solid showing at 70 kg. Jenkins went 2-2 and did not place. Red-shirt freshman Brendan Herlihy (Fairfield, Conn.) went 2-2 at 120 kg; freshman Mike Eagan (Wharton, N.J.) went 2-2 at 63 kg; freshman Michael Lorenzo (Bellefonte, Pa.) went 2-2 at 74 kg; sophomore Jack Decker (Roseland, N.J.) went 3-2 at 74 kg; Phil Bomberger (Port Royal, Pa.) went 0-1 at 79 kg and Joe Farina (Denville, N.J.) was 0-1 at 120 kg.