Nico Megaludis could have waited until next year to make his college choice ... in fact, he's not even allowed to sign a letter of intent until next November.

Megaludis, a junior at Franklin Regional High School who has an almost-perfect career record, could have chosen just about any NCAA Division I college in the country.

He could have waited until next year. But he figures: Why wait when you've found the perfect fit?

"I made two visits to Penn State and quickly found it's the place I want to be," Megaludis said. "I could have waited until next year, but Penn State is the best choice for me and my family. I just couldn't turn down the opportunity to wrestle for Cael Sanderson."

Sanderson, the Nittany Lions new coach, is the most celebrated collegiate wrestler of all time. He won four NCAA Division I titles at Iowa State University, and is the only wrestler to finish his career with a perfect record (159-0). Sanderson spent the past three seasons coaching at his alma mater.

"My style is kind of like Cael's," Megaludis said. "Obviously, he's much better than me, but I kind of wrestle like him. I thought it was a perfect fit and a great location."

Megaludis made his varsity debut two seasons ago as a 103-pound freshman and posted an excellent 37-1 record. He won the WPIAL Class AAA title and placed third in the PIAA after losing in the semifinals to the eventual champion.

Last season, Megaludis moved up to the 112-pound weight class and turned in a perfect 46-0 record after winning WPIAL and PIAA titles.

"I made my decision during the second visit to Penn State when Cael took us out to dinner," Megaludis said. "He told me he could mold my style and that I could be a great wrestler at Penn State."

Megaludis is the eighth state champion to commit to Penn State, and the third from the WPIAL, since Sanderson arrived at Happy Valley in April.

Hempfield Area graduate Jake Kemerer, a two-time PIAA Class AAA champion, is a freshman at Penn State who will most likely take a redshirt this season. West Mifflin Area senior Sam Sherlock signed a letter of intent last week.

"I can't wait," Megaludis said. "It's going to be awesome. I was thinking about it on the ride home from Penn State: 'Wow, I'm going to be on a team with Sherlock, Kemerer, the Altons, Taylor, Ruth ...' The names are unbelievable."

The Alton twins, Andrew and Dylan, are from Central Mountain in District 6. Dylan Alton is a two-time PIAA champion, while Andrew is a one-time champ. Both are also two-time Junior National Freestyle champions. David Taylor and Ed Ruth are freshmen at Penn State and both were heavily recruited.

"The team is skyrocketing in the right direction with Cael and his coaching staff," Megaludis said. "And I want to be part of that success."

Megaludis enters his junior year without recruiting stress.

"[Recruiting] is one less thing I have to worry about," said Megaludis, who was also considering offers from Iowa, Maryland, Lehigh and Pitt. "I can just concentrate on my training and keeping my grades up."

Megaludis was the only sophomore to finish the 2008-09 season with a perfect record. He was also the first Franklin Regional wrestler to win a PIAA title.

"Troy Letters [a Penn State assistant coach] was another reason I chose Penn State," Megaludis said. "Troy was watching in April when I won FILA Cadets."

Megaludis wrestled at Junior Nationals at Fargo, N.D., this summer. He placed second at 119.

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