Penn State's Anspach denied sixth year of eligibility by NCAA

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Aaron Anspach was denied a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA, thus ending his hopes at another national title run in 2007-08. Anspach ends his Penn State career as the 2007 National Runner-Up at heavyweight.

The native of Columbia, Pa., had two seasons cut short by injuries and wrestled in 85 bouts over the course of five years, an average of only 17 matches per season. Of those 85 bouts, a third (27) was during his true natural red-shirt season in 2002-03. Over the course of his final four years, he missed the bulk of two with injuries and wrestled in 58 bouts, an average of less than 15 per season.

Anspach went 22-4 this year and advanced all the way to the national title bout, falling to repeat national champion Cole Konrad of Minnesota in the finals. He was also the 2007 Big Ten runner-up. Three of his four losses were to Konrad. Wrestling one of the toughest individual schedules in the nation, ten of his 26 bouts this year were against nationally ranked opponents. Anspach leaves Penn State with a 43-15 career record and a perfect 12-0 mark in major decisions.