Penn State Wrestling Dominates At NWCA All-Star Classic
Five Penn State wrestlers participated in the NWCA All-Star Classic event. This year, the event took place in Rec Hall.
No. 2 Shayne Van Ness, No. 1 Carter Starocci, No. 2 Bernie Truax, No. 1 Aaron Brooks, and No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet represented the Nittany Lions well, going 4-1 on the night. The event was Penn State’s last before it begins its dual schedule after Thanksgiving.
How It Happened
149 pounds, No. 2 Shayne Van Ness
First to the mat, Van Ness faced No. 3 Kyle Parco of Arizona State. The bout began 0-0 through the first period, but Van Ness started the second up 1-0 with an escape. He capitalized in the second with a takedown to lead 4-0. Van Ness rode out most of the third period and finished with a 5-1 victory.
174 pounds – No. 1 Carter Starocci
Next, Starocci went against No. 3 Mekhi Lewis of Virginia Tech. The first period was also tied 0-0, and Starocci got the first point of the bout 1-0 due to a stalling call. Starocci then quickly turned around a four-point play and earned a full rideout of the second to lead 5-0. The Nittany Lion continued to tack on the points and finished the bout with an 11-0 major decision win over Lewis.
184 pounds – No. 2 Bernie Truax
Truax then took on top-ranked Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa. Truax stunned Keckeisen taking a quick 3-0 lead. Keckeisen then answered with an escape and a stall to close the score by 1, 3-2. The bout remained close 4-3, but Keckeisen earned a late takedown with seven seconds left to win the bout 7-4.
197 pounds – No. 2 Aaron Brooks
Aaron Brooks matched up with No. 3 Tanner Sloan of South Dakota State. Brooks dominated from the start going up 3-0 and upping the score 10-1 through two periods. Sloan started the third with an escape, but Brooks held on and finished with an 11-2 major decision.
285 pounds – No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet
Finally, Kerkvliet faced off against No. 2 Wyatt Hendrickson of the Air Force. Kerkvliet began with an amazing seven-point move on Hendrickson, forcing him to take an injury timeout. After a short break, Kerkvliet continued and led 11-1 by the end of the first. The control from the Nittany Lion continued as he ended the bout at the 4:48 mark with an 18-2 technical fall.
What’s Next?
These five and the rest of the Nittany Lions will be back in action at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 3, against Lehigh in their first dual meet of the season.
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