Sophomore Dan Vallimont began last year as a `possibility' at 149, finding himself in the middle of a strong pack of contenders at that middle weight. By season's end, he was among the nation's elite at his weight class, earning a solid national ranking, qualifying for the NCAA championships as a rookie and finishing just one agonizing win shy of earning All-America laurels. Now, a year older and wiser, the quiet and determined Nittany Lion has his sights set on an even better year. One of Penn State's hardest workers, Vallimont will head into the 2007-08 season with lofty aspirations and lofty expectations, but carrying the burden with the same quiet confidence that lead him through a break-out campaign a year ago. The sophomore should move up to 157 this year.

Lion Career:

2006-07: Posted a 22-12 overall record...went 12-7 in duals and 5-3 in Big Ten action...2-0 in pins and picked up 44 dual match points in first year as starter...went 5-1 at the 2006 Nittany Lion Open to take second place at 149...downed No. 8 Trevor Chinn 3-1 in Penn State's win over Lehigh on 12/8...went 3-1 at the Virginia Duals...dropped hard-fought 8-6 decision to No. 8 Tyler Turner of Wisconsin in his Big Ten debut on 1/19...beat No. 16 Lance Palmer of Ohio State 4-2 on Jan. 26 for first Big Ten dual win and followed that up with a 9-3 win over No. 10 Troy Tirapelle of Illinois two days later, giving him two wins over two ranked Big Ten wrestlers in the same weekend...recorded major over Northwestern's Vince Colletti on 2/2 and won fourth straight Big Ten bout with 6-3 victory over Iowa's Alex Grunder on 2/4...majored MSU's Jeff Wimberly on 2/18 (15-2)...entered the national rankings on 1/30...sixth seed at Big Ten tournament but wrestled to a fourth place finish...was the #12 seed at the 2007 NCAA Championships....wrestled to his seed by going 3-2 and advancing to the `round of 12,' one win shy of All-American status...ended year ranked No. 12 by the NWCA. Named to Amateur Wrestling News' All-Rookie Team.
Big Ten Championships (3-2, 4th, National Qualifier): Seeded sixth....went 3-2 to place fourth and earn trip to nationals in first year as starter...opened with 9-3 loss to Ohio State's Lance Palmer, who was ranked No. 16 at the time...rebounded with three straight wins in consolations, including pin of MSU's Jeff Wimberly, 6-1 decision over No. 17 Troy Tirapelle and a 5-4 win over No. 10 Tyler Turner of Wisconsin...fell to Palmer again in the consolation finals.
NCAA Championships (3-2, `Round of 12'): Seeded 12th at nationals as a freshmen and went 3-2 to wrestle to his seed...finished just one win shy of All-America status...majored North Dakota State's Ryan Adams 11-2 in NCAA debut...fell to #5 seed and eventual national champion Gregor Gillespie of Edinboro 10-2...downed Boston's Michael Roberts (10-6) and Missouri's Joshua Wagner (10-6) in first two consolation bouts...upset by Indiana's Matt Coughlin in `Round of 12'.

2005-06: Red-shirt season...went 5-5 in unattached action...0-1 in pins.

High School/Personal: Posted a career record of 134-9...78-0 through his junior and senior years in high school to win consecutive New Jersey state titles...posted a 39-0 record as a senior...ranked No. 2 in the nation at 140 pounds in both W.I.N. Magazine and Wrestling USA... finished third at National High School Coaches Association Senior Nationals...named captain of the All-State team twice...an accomplished freestyle wrestler. .. won 140-pound junior division state title in New Jersey...MAWA Eastern National Champion in 2002, 2003 and 2004...gold medalist at the AAU Disney Duals (2004).

CAREER STATISTICS

Year	Overall	Duals (B10)	Tourn. (B10/NCAA)	Falls	TF	MD	Pts.
2005-06	Red-Shirt Season
2006-07	22-12	12-7 (5-3)	10-5 (3-2/3-2)	2-0	1-0	4-5	44
Career	22-12	12-7 (5-3)	10-5 (3-2/3-2)	2-0	1-0	4-5	44