Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

Penn State Wrestling Expected To Return To Full Strength Against Michigan

Even while competing shorthanded this weekend, Penn State wrestling flexed its muscles and looked just about as dominant as ever. The Nittany Lions outscored Purdue and Indiana 65-19 during their road trip to the Hoosier State and seemed to have no problem running away with duals, even after a couple slow starts.

As Cael Sanderson’s team prepares to enter the toughest stretch of its season, it’ll need all hands on deck against No. 5 Michigan this weekend and No. 2 Ohio State next weekend. Luckily for the tenth-year head coach, Sanderson expects to have a healthy lineup when his team takes the mat against the Wolverines and Buckeyes.

Sanderson anticipates No. 11 Brady Berge and No. 3 Shakur Rasheed will both return to the starting lineup at 149 lbs. and 184 lbs., respectively, this weekend.

Rasheed has missed the last three duals with an undisclosed injury. In his absence, Penn State is 0-3 at 184 lbs.

Berge, who entered the season in competition with Jared Verkleeren for the starting job at 149 lbs., has created some separation in the race, but missed both duals last weekend in favor of Verkleeren. Sanderson said Berge sat out primarily so he could rest. In Berge’s place, Verkleeren went 2-0 with a pair of decisions.

Sanderson said there’s “nothing wrong with [Berge] at all,” so he’ll likely be back in the lineup against Michigan. The weekend off might be just what Berge needed before he enters the home stretch of his first season of eligibility. He seemed to have hit a bit of a midseason slump earlier this month, losing to unranked Cole Martin of Wisconsin and narrowly beating unranked Jordan Shearer of Nebraska.

Both Rasheed and Berge will get to ease back into the lineup against unranked Michigan wresters before they each face a top-five opponent at Ohio State. Rasheed will draw No. 1 Myles Martin, and Berge will draw No. 2 Micah Jordan. The two are a combined 27-1 this season.

No. 15 Roman Bravo-Young injured his knee attempting an acrobatic flip against Purdue Friday and sat out the Sunday dual against Indiana. Sanderson seemed optimistic about the freshman’s return this weekend but said it’ll likely be a game-time decision. He refuted reports that Bravo-Young could miss as many as four weeks.

If he does wrestle, Bravo-Young will have an even tougher slate of opponents than Rasheed and Berge. He’d face No. 1 Stevan Micic this weekend and No. 6 Luke Pletcher next weekend.

“He’s really responded well and is doing pretty darn good, so there’s a good chance he’ll be ready to roll Friday,” Sanderson said. “We want him in the lineup. The more matches he gets, the more experience the better. Micic, who’s very good, is a guy we’d like him to get a feel for.”

However, in true Sanderson form, he refused to commit one way or the other.

“He needs to be ready to go, wrestle well, and defend himself,” he said. “We aren’t going to throw someone out there who isn’t ready to go.”

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Anthony Colucci

Anthony Colucci was once Onward State’s managing editor and preferred walk-on honors student who majored in psychology and public relations. Despite being from the make-believe land of Central Jersey, he was never a Rutgers fan. If you ever want to know how good Saquon Barkley's ball security is, ask Anthony what happened when he tried to force a fumble at the Mifflin Streak. If you want to hear the story or are bored and want to share prequel memes, follow @_anthonycolucci on Twitter or email him at [email protected]. All other requests and complaints should be directed to Onward State media contact emeritus Steve Connelly.

‘It’s A Great Way To Get Outside & Forget About Homework’: Penn State Club Ski Team Makes Run To Nationals

Penn State’s Club Ski Team took a trip to Lake Placid, New York, to compete in nationals over spring break.

Penn State Alum Taking Passion For Storytelling & Cooking To Next Level

Gabrielle Chappel has taken her skills to FOX’s “Next Level Chef” where she competes on Team Ramsay.

Decorating Downtown: State College Resident Paints Town & Faces

Whether it’s faces or windows, local painter Emily Cooper has you covered.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.4kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Anthony

An Open Letter To My Sedated Self: Anthony Colucci’s Senior Column

“No challenge you encounter in college will come close to the obstacles you overcame to get there. However, that drive to do things your own way and disregard for what’s seen as ‘normal’ or ‘expected’ will carry on.”

4 Lessons I Learned From Cael Sanderson After Covering Him For 4 Years

Play Penn State-Themed Family Feud