By Ryan Loy

Collegian Staff Writer

Penn State wrestlers were on the offensive Thursday, as they had a strong showing during the first day of the NCAA championships.

Four Nittany Lion wrestlers finished undefeated after two sessions of the tournament and will compete in today's quarterfinal matchups.

The six Lion grapplers who competed in the tournament went 5-1 during Thursday afternoon's opening-round bouts and followed that with an impressive performance in the round of 16.

via Wrestlers kick off NCAAs – The Daily Collegian Online.

Andy Elder For the CDT

OMAHA, Neb. — Before heading to Omaha for the 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Penn State coach Cael Sanderson insisted his six-man gang could be a factor in the team race.

After the first day at the Qwest Center, it looks like he’s right.

With four wrestlers in the quarterfinals — 125-pounder Brad Pataky, 149-pounder Frank Molinaro, 157-pounder Cyler Sanderson and 165-pounder Dan Vallimont — and 184-pounder Dave Erwin and heavyweight Cameron Wade alive in the consolations, Penn State is tied with three other teams for 10th place. Central Michigan, Lehigh and Virginia also have 17 points.

Pataky, Molinaro, Sanderson and Vallimont into quarters, all one win from All-American status.

OMAHA, Neb. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, under the guidance of head coach Cael Sanderson, had an outstanding first day of the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The Nittany Lions advanced four wrestlers to the national quarterfinals and, despite having only six grapplers competing, find themselves in tenth place with all six grapplers still alive in the tournament.

via Nittany Lions Advance Four to National Quarterfinals at 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE.

Wade loses in first round, Erwin in the second. Both wrestle later in the consolations. Wade won his consolation match 1-0. Erwin will wrestle tomorrow morning.

Link to the brackets

Pataky’s upset win at 125 leads 5-1 first session for Penn State.

OMAHA, Neb.; March 18, 2010 – Head coach Cael Sanderson’s Nittany Lion wrestling team bolted out to a 5-1 mark during session one of the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Omaha, Neb. The Nittany Lions’s; four seeded wrestlers all won while Penn State picked up one upset victory while nearly grabbing another before a sudden victory loss.

via Penn State Wrestlers Nearly Undefeated in Session 1 of 2010 NCAA Championships – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE.