State College, Pa., April 15, 2005 - Two-time Big Ten Wrestling Champion and 2005 All-American Eric Bradley (Plaistow, N.H.) has been granted his request for a sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA.

"We are very happy to be able to have Eric back next season," Penn State Head Coach Troy Sunderland said. "He is the highest placing returning wrestler from this year's NCAA Tournament and his dedication and perseverance to overcome the setbacks he's had and compete is a great example for the rest of our team."

Bradley, who is completing his fifth year at Penn State but has wrestled just two seasons, had petitioned the NCAA for the sixth year "medical hardship season" due to a serious back injury that caused him to miss two seasons. Bradley, whose first three seasons on campus were plaqued by a variety of injuries, took a medical red-shirt in 2001-02 when a fractured vertebra was discovered in his back. The condition worsened the following season and he was medically disqualified from competing in the 2002-03 season.

After a season away from the sport, the injury healed and Bradley was allowed to return to the mat in 2003-04. He went on to tie for the team lead with a 17-2 dual meet record and earned Penn State's 16th Big Ten title.

Bradley successfully defended his 184-pound Big Ten title in 2005 and again tied for the team lead with a 14-2 dual meet record. He has posted a 67-10 career-record over the last two seasons (31-4 in dual meet action) while becoming just the third Nittany Lion to earn multiple Big Ten titles since Penn State joined the conference in 1993.

Bradley placed fourth at the 2005 NCAA Championships to become the first All-American ever from the state of New Hampshire. He will be the highest NCAA 184 pound placer returning for the 2005-06 season and among the favorites to capture an NCAA title and a third Big Ten Championship.

Penn State senior 149-pounder James Woodall (St. Dupont, Pa.) has also petitioned the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility due to medical hardship but is still awaiting a response. Woodall had his 2004-05 season ended after 12 matches when he tore the ACL in his right knee in the finals of the Midlands Championship in late December. Woodall, who was a 2004 NCAA qualifier, also missed all but a few matches of the 2002-03 season with a shoulder injury that required surgery.