Penn State Wins USA Wrestling Impact Award
David Taylor's historic run to a 2020 Olympic wrestling gold medal has led to a significant award for Penn State.
USA Wrestling will honor Penn State with its Collegiate Impact Award, which recognizes the college program making the largest contribution to U.S. wrestling success at the 2020 Olympics. In Tokyo last year, Taylor became the first Penn State wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal, defeating Hassan Yazdani of Iran 4-3 in the 86kg men's freestyle final.
Taylor finished the Olympics with the highest margin of victory among Team USA wrestlers. Taylor also won world titles in 2018 and 2022.
'Penn State University has been a real leader within the sport of wrestling of providing wrestlers with incredible opportunities to pursue a world class education but also with the opportunities for current and post-graduate to realize their Olympic dreams," Rich Bender, executive director of USA Wrestling, said in a statement. "USA Wrestling owes a debt of gratitude for their unwavering commitment to Team USA."
USA Wrestling will present the award to Penn State Athletic Director Patrick Kraft at the Team USA Collegiate Recognition Awards, being held Dec. 6 in conjunction with the National Football Foundation's Awards Dinner in Las Vegas. Former Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame at the ceremony.
Penn State's top-ranked wrestling team will take on Rider (Dec. 2) and Lehigh (Dec. 4) in road matches this weekend.
PENN STATE FANS: SI Tickets is your one-stop shop for tickets to a variety of Penn State sporting events, from football to basketball, hockey to volleyball. Need tickets to the Penn State game? Check out SI Tickets.
Read More
Penn State-Purdue at the Palestra is a hot ticket
Penn State's Rose Bowl momentum is growing
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. declares for NFL Draft seeking to make Penn State history
Running back Nicholas Singleton named Big Ten freshman of the year
Olu Fashanu, Penn State's standout lineman, to return in 2023
Lions look toward the future after a big finish vs. Michigan State
Penn State-Michigan State report card: Making their bowl case
Penn State 35, Michigan State 16: The breakdown from Beaver Stadium
Penn State's defense believes it's 'on the edge of greatness'
AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.