STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State begins its pursuit this week for a third straight wrestling national title, but that daunting quest might be overshadowed by the hype over a marquee matchup that could cap the NCAA championships.
If Nittany Lions junior David Taylor defends his individual title at 165 pounds, he would likely have to beat Cornell three-time champion Kyle Dake in the final.
Dake is the only wrestler in NCAA history to win three championships at three different weights. He is trying to become just the third four-time champion in his sport.
The action starts Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa. The potential Taylor-Dake showdown is so anticipated that the NCAA - in an unprecedented move - announced that it would start the championship finals at 174 pounds and end at 165 pounds.
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