UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Frank Molinaro, current Penn State assistant wrestling coach and one of the greatest wrestlers in Penn State history, has earned a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team. Molinaro, representing the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, is the United States' 65kg member by virtue of winning the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials this past weekend, held in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday and Sunday.

The Frank Molinaro that took the mats in the opening round of the World Team Trials in Madison, Wisconsin on Sunday was not the same wrestler who wound up finishing third at 65 kilograms and earning a spot on the US national team. 

U.S. wrestlers Frank Molinaro, Jon Reader and Tyrell Fortune won freestyle championships at the Dave Schultz Memorial International on Friday night at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Molinaro pulled out a tough finals win over 2011 World silver medalist Franklin Gomez of Puerto Rico at 65 kg/143 lbs. The match ended 1-1, but Molinaro scored last after Gomez failed to score after being put on the shot clock for passivity.

Each week, TheMat.com will select an Athlete of the Week, based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level. Molinaro was named Outstanding Wrestler after winning a New York AC International title in freestyle wrestling on Saturday in New York City.