David Taylor became Penn State's second individual national champion on Saturday at the NCAA wrestling championships in St. Louis, defeating Lehigh's Brandon Hatchett 22-7 by technical fall for the 165-pound crown.
The win secured an undefeated season (32-0) for the sophomore All-American from St. Paris, Ohio and moved him to 70-1 overall in his Nittany Lions career. Taylor finished as the national runner-up at 157 pounds last season. His path to his first NCAA title this season included wins against Corey Lear of Bucknell, Brandon Wright of UT-Chattanooga, Robert Kokesh of Nebraska and Bekzod Abdurakhmonov of Clarion before the win against Hatchett.
Taylor joins senior Frank Molinaro, the 149-pound champion, in Penn State's winner's circle this evening. Ed Ruth (174 pounds) and Quentin Wright (184 pounds) are still awaiting their bouts. Penn State wrapped up the team title earlier on Saturday when Dylan Alton secured a third-place finish at 157 pounds.
For the latest on Penn State's efforts at the NCAA wrestling championships, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh for updates.