At the end of the second period, it looked like Rocco Welsh had lost. With no points on the board and the deficit continuing to grow, the match seemed all but decided. But Welsh didn’t flinch. He walked back to the center of the mat, believing this was his match to take.  

Friday night’s dual against the Ohio State Buckeyes was a high-stakes matchup for Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions, marking the first dual of the season where Penn State wasn’t a clear-cut favorite. The stakes were even more personal for No. 1-ranked Rocco Welsh, who had worn a Buckeye singlet just a year ago.  

“I had some thoughts about going against my former team, but I tried to act like it was the same as any other match,” Welsh said. “At the end of the day, it is not that big of a deal. They are just another team, so I tried not to think about it too much.” 

Welsh faced a challenging matchup in No. 8 Dylan Fishback, a two-time NCAA qualifier capable of capitalizing on even the smallest mistakes. He got off to a rocky start, giving up a takedown midway through the first period and allowing Fishback to rack up 1:30 in riding time. Welsh didn’t find his rhythm until the third period, when he secured a takedown to narrow Fishback’s lead. The match came down to the final seconds, when Welsh got a last-second takedown to clinch a 7-6 victory.  

“Obviously, it was a worst-case scenario. He got riding time, a takedown, and an escape,” Welsh shared. “I just stayed positive and believed I could still win no matter what. I feel like I always have more to give, especially at the end of matches. I knew if I sprinted, I could get a takedown, and I got one quick, so I was like, ‘Let’s go get another one.'” 

Coming out of high school, Welsh boasted an impressive resume, including two state and Ironman titles, and a Super 32 championship. Born and raised in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, it is no shock that coach Cael Sanderson showed interest in him. However, with Penn State’s 184-pound roster already stacked with talent like Carter Starocci and Zack Ryder, the program didn’t feel like the right fit at the time. Ultimately, Welsh committed to Ohio State, a decision he doesn’t regret, even if it wasn’t the perfect long-term fit.  

“I was young and didn’t really know what I was doing. I don’t regret it, but if I could go back, I would have come here in the beginning,” Welsh said. “I think God took me in that direction and brought me here. I think it was all part of his plan. It all worked out perfectly, and I am glad I am here now.” 

Once Welsh arrived at Penn State, he immediately felt at home.  

“It was pretty easy to fit in. From day one, they accepted me in, and it felt like a family from the beginning,” Welsh said.  

Reflecting on his match against Fishback, Welsh acknowledges there are areas he can improve. Still, he is walking away with a positive outlook and momentum to carry into the postseason.  

“I overcame adversity and got a victory against a pretty tough opponent. He is hard to score on, and I was able to score twice in under two minutes when I needed to, so I feel pretty positive coming out of that match,” Welsh said. “Just need to fix a couple of small things in that first period, and then I can really dominate that match.”