March 27, 2008
University Park -
National champion Phil Davis (Harrisburg, Pa.) and All-America swimmer Kelly Nelson (West Chester, Pa.) have been named this week's Penn State Student-Athletes of the Week after outstanding performances in their NCAA championships this past weekend.
Becoming only the fourth four-time All-American in Penn State wrestling history, Phil Davis rounded out his senior year claiming the 2008 NCAA National Championship at 197 with a 7-2 decision over Central Michigan's Wynn Michalak. Davis' win also sealed a third-place finish for the Nittany Lions in the team standings. Davis went 5-0 in NCAA tournament matches and 26-1 in his final collegiate season. He leaves Penn State with a remarkable 116-20 record.
Nelson had a memorable week with the Nittany Lions as she became the first All-American swimmer since 2006 with her sixth place finish in the 200 butterfly in the NCAA tournament.
Nelson was also part of the 16th place 800 free and 400 medley relay teams to earn honorable mention All-America honors. While swimming the lead-off leg of the 800 free relay, she broke her own school record in the 200 free, swimming the leg in 1:45.75.
In the 200 fly she earned her first career All-America honor, where she not only broke her own school record by touching the wall in 1:55.86 to finish in sixth place, but she also broke the Big Ten record.
Penn State swimmers now hold the Big Ten records in two events: Nelson in the 200 fly and Kaitlin O¹Brien in the 400 IM.
2007-08 Penn State Student-Athletes of the Week
March 25 - Phil Davis (wrestling), Kelly Nelson (women's swimming)
March 18 - Arthur Urman (men's fencing), Jackie Hill (softball)
March 11 - Phil Davis (wrestling), Jessi Lieb (women's lacrosse)
March 4 - Talor Battle (men's basketball), Shana Cox (women's track and field)
February 26 - Casey Sandy (men's gymnastics), Kelly Nelson (women's swimming)
February 19 - Talor Battle (men's basketball), Shana Cox (women's track and field)
February 12 - Matt Anderson (men's volleyball), Shana Cox (women's track and field)
February 4 - Talor Battle (men's basketball), Alexandra Brockway (women's gymnastics)
January 28 - Casey Sandy (men's gymnastics), Gayle Hunter (women's track & field)
January 22 - Pat Schirk (men's swimming), Kelly Nelson (women's swimming)
January 15 - Phil Davis (wrestling), Casey Rohrbaugh (women's gymnastics)
January 7 - Matt Anderson (men's volleyball), Mashea Williams (women's basketball)
December 17 - Geary Claxton (men's basketball), Megan Hodge (women's volleyball)
December 10 - Phil Davis (wrestling), Arielle Wilson (women's volleyball)
December 3 - Pat Schirk (men's swimming), Brianne O'Rourke (men's basketball)
November 26 - David Erwin (wrestling), Christa Harmotto (women's volleyball)
November 19 - Geary Claxton (men's basketball), Alisha Glass (women's volleyball)
November 12 - Dan Connor (football), Britney Long (field hockey)
November 5 - Sean Lee (football), Alyssa Naeher (women's soccer)
October 29 - Michael James (men's tennis), Carly Bedesem (women's soccer)
October 22 - Maurice Evans (football), Christa Harmotto (women's volleyball)
October 15 - Sean Lee (football), Zoe Bouchelle (women's soccer)
October 8 - Kevin Foley (men's golf), Mallory Weisen (field hockey)
October 1 - Vincent Salvatico (men's soccer), Katie Schoepfer (women's soccer)
September 24 - T.J. Howe (men's golf), Alyssa Naeher (women's soccer)
September 17 - Brendan Lynch (men's tennis), Katie Schoepfer (women's soccer)
September 10 - Dan Connor (football), Megan Hodge (women's volleyball)
September 3 - Anthony Morelli (football), Bridget Franek (cross country)
August 27 - Kiersten Wood (field hockey)
