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Penn State Wrestling: Creating the Dream Team

By Chris Snyder

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 13: The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team is introduced before a match against the Lock Haven Bald Eagles on November 13, 2015 at Recreation Hall on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State won 50-0. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 13: The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team is introduced before a match against the Lock Haven Bald Eagles on November 13, 2015 at Recreation Hall on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State won 50-0. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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US Kerry McCoy listens the national anthem, after receiving the gold medal in the wrestling 120 Kg category, 08 August 2003 at the XIV Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. AFP PHOTO/Omar TORRES (Photo credit should read OMAR TORRES/AFP via Getty Images)
US Kerry McCoy listens the national anthem, after receiving the gold medal in the wrestling 120 Kg category, 08 August 2003 at the XIV Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. AFP PHOTO/Omar TORRES (Photo credit should read OMAR TORRES/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Kerry McCoy

Years: 1993-1997
Record: 150-18
Conf. Titles: 3
NCAA Titles: 2

McCoy’s Penn State career got off to a shaky start as he finished his freshman year with a record of 19-17. This included a 6th place finish in the 1993 B1G Tournament; however McCoy did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

If you were following Penn State wrestling back in the mid-90’s, raise your beer mug if you thought McCoy would turn this into a perfect 47-0 sophomore campaign which included his first of three B1G Titles and first of two NCAA Titles?

I didn’t follow Penn State Wrestling back then, but this had to be a bit of a surprise.

Kerry rode the momentum of his impressive sophomore year by taking a perfect record into the 1995 NCAA Championships. But an early round loss completely derailed his chances and he ended up finished 3rd in the 1995 season.

McCoy took a redshirt year in 1996 and looked to be back in top form once again going into the 1997 season.

Which is exactly what happened.

McCoy put up an amazing 41-0 record which included 11 falls, four technical falls, and 12 major decisions. Furthermore, he won his third B1G Title and second NCAA Title.

McCoy’s dominant 1997 season was also rewarded when he was announced as the 1997 Dan Hodge Trophy winner. McCoy also finished his Penn State career going a total of 131-1 in his final 132 matches.

Which is why McCoy rounds out my Penn State Dream Team.

Honorable Mention (in order)

Bill Oberly

Years: 1954-1956
Record: 39-6-3
Conf. Titles: 1
NCAA Titles: 1

Anthony Cassar

Years: 2018-2020
Record: 49-3
Conf. Titles: 1
NCAA Titles: 1

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