GROVE CITY — As the offers flooded in, Wes Phipps stayed focused.

Since he could remember, the Grove City High senior wrestler and fullback on the football team had always wanted to attend Penn State University.

Even as other Division I schools like Rutgers, Maryland and Kent State made him offers to join their wrestling programs, Phipps stuck to his guns.

That meant turning down full scholarships for the partial one offered by Penn State, the defending NCAA Division I national champions.

“That’s where I’ve always wanted to be,” Phipps said. “National champs. Best wrestling coach in the country. The best wrestling partners, what more can you ask for?”

Phipps, who signed his national letter of intent to join the Nittany Lions’ wrestling program Tuesday, was in such high demand because of his accomplishments on the mat at Grove City and in national tournaments.

Phipps has compiled a 101-14 record at 160- and 171-pounds in his career with the Eagles, including three state medals.

Last season, Phipps went 29-1, his only loss coming in the state championship match.

He also has third- and fifth-place finishes at the PIAA tournament.

It wasn’t until Penn State coach Cael Sanderson, a legend in the sport and an Olympic gold medalist, sat on the couch in Phipps’ living room that it finally sunk in that he was going to attend Penn State.

“That’s when the dream came true,” Phipps said. “When Cael Sanderson said he really wanted me for more than just a practice partner, to be someone who could win a national title, it hit me. It feels pretty good to hear that.”

In going to Penn State, though, Phipps will have to earn his spot in the lineup and a full scholarship.

He had opportunities to land elsewhere with full rides and a guaranteed spot, but passed them up.

“I got a 10 percent scholarship to start, where most of my offers were for a full ride,” Phipps said. “I have no problem with being on a team where everyone is working hard and trying to accomplish a goal. I have no problem proving myself and earning a scholarship.”

Phipps, who is also a standout on the football team at Grove City, was taking people down on the wrestling mat long before he was running people over in the gridiron.

The two sports have fed off one another since he took up football.

“The two are very similar,” Phipps said. “Wrestling is a constant grind. It’s grinding. It’s working, working, working. It’s the same in football. You keep working and working and something is going to open up.”

Phipps hasn’t completely ruled out walking on to the football team.

He knows, though, that at barely 180 pounds, it’s unrealistic to think he can make an impact on the football field.

“I don’t know about that,” Phipps said, smiling. “We’ll focus on wrestling first and then we’ll see what football looks like. I’ve done some long-snapping. Maybe I can do something like that.”