UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; June 25, 2007 - Two of Penn State's finest young wrestlers, one a true sophomore and one an incoming true freshman, helped lead the United States to a team gold and a team silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Junior Championships. Sophomore Dave Rella (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) and incoming true freshman Jared Platt (Blairstown, N.J.) both came away with titles at the event in Maracaibo, Venezuela

Platt claimed two gold medals in the tournament and was named tournament Outstanding Wrestlers. The Blairsville native and graduate of the Blairsville Academy first one a gold medal in Greco-Roman at 96 kg (211.5 lbs.). His performance helped lead Team USA to a second place finish and the silver medal. The soon-to-be Nittany Lion true freshman then won the freestyle gold at 96 kg (211.5 lbs.). He went a combined 6-0 at the championships with three pins.

Rella claimed silver in Greco at 74 kg (163 lbs.) and then won the freestyle gold medal at 74 kg (163 lbs.). Rella, who went 21-13 at 165 last year for Penn State as a true freshman, combined to go 5-1 at the tournament. He teamed with Platt to lead Team USA to the freestyle gold medal.

Rella and Platt will join the rest of the Nittany Lions at the start of the new school year as the 2007-08 season gets underway.