No. 1 Penn State Wrestling Bucks Wyoming 54-0
No. 1 Penn State wrestling (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) took down Wyoming (2-3, 0-2 Big 12) Sunday afternoon in the Bryce Jordan Center. After a switch in location to make way for the Penn State women’s volleyball team’s NCAA tournament run, the dual acted as the first of three in the Bryce Jordan Center this year.
Highlighting the dual were the bonus point victories in all 10 bouts, including four tech falls, one major decision, and five pins.
How It Happened
125 Pounds
Kicking off the dual was No. 12 Luke Lilledahl taking on Jack Braman. Lilledahl struck first with two early takedowns over Braman to jump out to a quick 6-2 lead. The true freshman wrestler then snagged an additional pair of takedowns to increase his lead to 12-3 with over 100 seconds of riding time entering the middle period. Lilledahl continued his offensive assault over Braman to secure a 20-5 tech fall at 4:25.
133 Pounds
Stepping to the mat next was No. 11 Braeden Davis battling against Stockton O’Brien. In a similar fashion to his lighter teammate, Davis struck quickly with the bout-opening takedown, following it up with a single-leg late in the opening period to take a 6-1 lead after the first three minutes of action. Two more takedowns from Davis in the middle period extended the Nittany Lion’s lead to 12-3 heading into the final two minutes. A quick takedown to start the third paired with a handful of near-fall points granted Davis the 18-3 tech fall at 5:27.
Penn State led the dual 10-0 after the opening two matches.
141 Pounds
After a short break, No. 3 Beau Bartlett faced No. 28 Cole Brooks. Bartlett wasted no time getting his first takedown over Brooks, rolling the Wyoming wrestler onto his back for the dual first pin at 0:47.
149 Pounds
Working to keep the bonus points streak alive, No. 2 Shayne Van Ness squared off against No. 22 Gabe Willochell. A back-and-forth first period saw Van Ness come out on top 7-4 heading into the second. Despite Willochell escaping to start the period, Van Ness struck again with another takedown, finishing off the Wyoming wrestler with the second fall in a row, this time at 4:27.
157 Pounds
Wrapping up the first half of action, No. 4 Tyler Kasak lined up against No. 19 Jared Hill. A pair of takedowns in the first from Kasak put the Nittany Lion ahead 7-1 after the opening three minutes of action. An escape from Hill was the only point scored in the second, tightening Kasak’s lead to 7-2. After a short review on the mat, Kasak was awarded a three-point near-fall to follow up an edge-of-the-mat takedown, extending his lead to 14-3. A final stalling call and riding time point gave Kasak the 16-3 major decision victory over Hill.
The Nittany Lions lead the dual by a score of 26-0 at the intermission.
165 Pounds
Starting the dual again after the break, No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink faced down Cooper Voorhees. Mesenbrink started the scoring early with a takedown and a pair of four-second near-falls to take an 11-0 lead after the first period. A quick escape from Mesenrbibk to start the second followed up by an additional takedown granted the sophomore a 15-0 tech fall at 3:17.
174 Pounds
In action next was No. 2 Levi Haines against Riley Davis. After a takedown and more near-fall points, Haines secured the pin over Davis at 2:25.
Haines’ win extended Penn State’s dual lead to 37-0.
184 Pounds
At 184 pounds, No. 1 Carter Starocci shared the mat with Ethan Ducca. In no time at all, Starocci took Ducca to the mat and secured the dual’s fourth pin at 1:38.
197 Pounds
In the penultimate match of the night, No. 7 Josh Barr took on Brant Whitaker. Just like in the previous matches, Barr efficiently pinned Whittaker at 1:48.
Heavyweight
Closing out the afternoon were No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet and Kevin Zimmer. Kerkvliet took a methodical approach to the final bout, taking down his opponent with ease. The action spilled into the second period when Kerkvliet secured a 20-3 tech fall at 3:28.
Penn State won the dual 54-0.
What’s Next?
Penn State will be in action next on Sunday, December 22, when it takes part in the Journeymen duals in Nashville, Tennessee. The Nittany Lions will take on Binghamton, Arkansas Little Rock, and Missouri starting at 3 p.m.
Your ad blocker is on.
Please choose an option below.
Purchase a Subscription!
About the Author
‘It Was Definitely A Full Circle Moment’: Colts Cheerleader MacLaine Funsch Reflects On Career At Penn State
Funsch was a member of the Lionettes her freshman year of college.
Tyler Warren Receives One First-Place Vote For Heisman Trophy
There is one ball-knowing Heisman voter.
Jaylen Reed Involved In Car Accident
Reed will continue to prepare for the first round of the College Football Playoff, per a Penn State spokesperson.
