The Southern Scuffle at McKenzie Arena.Defending champion Penn State, placing five of six semifinalists in tonight's championship finals, bolted to a 20.5-point-lead this morning in the Southern Scuffle at McKenzie Arena.
Those championship bouts, plus placement medals for third, fifth and seven, are to begin at 6 p.m.
The Nittany Lions, who will defend their NCAA championship in March, had scored 150.5 points to 130 for second-place Oklahoma State. Rounding out the top five were Minnesota (127.5), Cornell (117.5) and Missouri (111). They were the only teams that had broken the century mark.
Host University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was in 13th place with 30.9 points and one wrestler - 141-pounder Dean Pavlou - assured of a Scuffle medal.
The Mocs' Southern Conference rivals The Citadel was in 11th place with 45 points while Campbell was in 17th and Appalachian State 18th.
South Dakota State, coached by former UTC coach Chris Bono, was in 19th place.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765.