State College, Pa., August 13, 2001 - Penn State head wrestling coach Troy Sunderland announced today the addition of 2000 Olympic silver medallist Sammie Henson to the Nittany Lion coaching staff. Henson, who continues to wrestle internationally at 119 pounds, will take over the coaching assistant position previously held by Eric Childs, who has accepted a joint appointment as an instructor in the University's department of kinesiology. Childs will continue to work with the athletic department's strength and conditioning programs,   continuing his association with the wrestling team among other assignments.    "We are thrilled to have Sammie join our program," Sunderland said. "He brings a strong background of competitive success at the highest levels and a great deal of personal character and charisma to the Penn State wrestling family."    Henson has had a highly successful national and international career in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling competition since graduating from Clemson University and winning back-to-back NCAA titles in 1993 and 1994. He went on to win a World Championship in 1998 and claim U.S. National titles in 1998 and 2000. He was a member of the U.S. Olympic team at the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia and won a silver medal.    "Sammie's intensity is well known throughout the wrestling community and will no doubt have a great impact specifically on our lightweights, but also on our team as a whole," Sunderland said.     He has won five international freestyle titles, including one in Poland and one in Turkey in 2001, and numerous national freestyle and Greco-Roman events. A three-time All-American, he competed at Missouri as well as Clemson during his collegiate career and has won University National, Junior National and Espoir titles in his career as well as three Missouri state high school titles.     Henson comes to Penn State after living and training in Norman,  Okla., last season. He also has previous coaching experience at Missouri and Northern Iowa.