No. 1 Penn State wrestling (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) bested No. 6 Ohio State (12-2, 4-1 Big Ten) 28-9 in the Nittany Lions’ return to Rec Hall Friday Night. The dual marks the first of back-to-back matchups between the blue and white and a top-10 opponent, as Penn State will travel to No. 2 Iowa next week.
Penn State won eight of 10 bouts in its toughest test of the season so far to remain undefeated
How It Happened
125 Pounds
The meet got off to a wild start with No. 3 Braeden Davis taking on Ohio State’s Vincent Kilkeary. After a scoreless first period, Kilkeary escaped to open up the scoring in the second period, the Davis used a low shot to secure the match’s first takedown and take a 3-2 lead into the final two minutes. Kilkeary, aiming for a takedown, allowed Davis to escape to a 4-2 lead to start the period and a stall call against Davis narrowed his lead to 4-3 with under a minute left. Kilkeary appeared close to a takedown out of a scramble in the final seconds but no points were awarded, and a lengthy review confirmed the call on the mat to give the Nittany Lion freshman a 4-3 decision.
133 Pounds
Next to the mat was No. 5 Aaron Nagao battling against Ohio State’s No. 12-ranked Nic Bouzakis. The Buckeye took control in the first period, pressing his offense and countering Nagao for three takedowns and a 9-2 lead after one . Nagao showed signs of life in the second period with a quick takedown out of the neutral position, but a reversal from Bouzakis kept the Buckeye in the lead 11-6 as the third period began. Nagao escaped to start the final two minutes but couldn’t muster any more scoring, while Bouzakis picked up penalty and riding time points to round out a 13-7 decision and tie the meet at 3-3.
141 Pounds
In what was the most anticipated bout of the night, Penn State’s No. 2-ranked Beau Bartlett met No. 3 Jesse Mendez. After a scoreless first period, Mendez escaped to start the second and took a 1-0 lead into the third. Bartlett started the third with an escape of his own to tie the score at 1-1, and with neither wrestler scoring in the final minutes of regulation the bout moved to sudden victory. In the first 30 seconds of sudden victory, Bartlett countered a Mendez shot and gained control for the takedown and a 4-1 decision.
The Nittany Lions led the dual meet 6-3 after three bouts.
149 Pounds
Returning to the Penn state lineup at 149 pounds was No. 12 Tyler Kasak challenging No. 9 Dylan D’Emilio. Following another scoreless first period, D’Emilio chose down to start the second. Kasak turned the Buckeye for two nearfall points and maintained control until D’Emilio escaped with 30 seconds left in the period. Leading 2-1 to start the third, Kasak escaped then countered a D’Emilio shot. With riding time secured, Kasak cut D’Emilio loose looking for bonus points. The Buckeye fended off his shots, but the Nittany Lion freshman claimed a 7-2 decision.
157 Pounds
Penn State’s top-ranked Levi Haines took on No. 29 Isaac Wilcox at 157. Haines converted a high single into a takedown late in the first period follow a Wilcox escape for a 3-1 lead after one. An escape from Wilcox was the only point scored in the second period with Haines still leading 3-2. Haines escaped quickly to start the third, used a low shot for a takedown and countered a Wilcox shot for another takedown to earn an 11-3 major decision.
The Nittany Lions led the dual 13-3 heading into intermission.
165 Pounds
Out of the break, No. 7-ranked Penn State redshirt freshman Mitchell Mesenbrink took on No. 20 Bryce Hepner. An aggressive Mesenbrink used a low double for the bout’s first takedown and, after a locked hands call and escape, got in on another to take a 6-2 lead after one. Mesenbrink took down to start the second and Hepner maintained control for much of the period, but the Nittany Lion worked his way to a reversal in the final seconds to extended his lead to 8-2. Hepner chose top to start the third, and Mesenbrink worked to another reversal to secure a 10-4 decision victory.
174 Pounds
No. 1 Carter Starocci faced No. 11-ranked Buckeye freshman Rocco Welsh at 174. Starocci opened with a takedown a minute into the bout and took a 3-1 lead into the second. Welsh escaped for the only point of the second to narrow Starocci’s lead to 3-2. An escape by Starocci in the third proved to be enough to hold on for the 4-2 decision victory.
Penn State extended its dual meet lead to 19-3
184 Pounds
At 184 pounds, No. 5 Bernie Truax took on Ohio State’s Ryder Rogotzke. Truax dictated the pace early with two takedowns in the first and, after a Rogotzke escape to start the second, scored another to open up a 9-3 lead. But after Rogotzke escaped, he gained control of Truax out of scramble and forced the Nittany Lion to his back for a pin at the 3:59 mark and an upset victory.
The fall narrowed Penn State’s team lead to 19-9.
197 Pounds
Stepping to the mat after the pin was No. 1 Aaron Brooks taking on No. 22-ranked Buckeye Luke Geog. Brooks turned on the pressure early, scoring two takedowns in the first period to take an early 6-1 lead. He kept it up in the second, taking down Geog twice and cutting him loose each time as Brooks inched toward the technical fall. Leading 12-4 heading into the third, it was more of the same as Brooks used an escape and three more takedowns to record a 22-6 tech fall at 6:21.
Heavyweight
Closing out the dual at heavyweight was No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet battling against No. 12-ranked Buckeye redshirt freshman Nick Feldman. Kerkvliet used a low shot for a takedown at the 1:50 mark of the first period and stayed in control to take a 3-0 lead into the second. After a quick escape to start the middle period, Kerkvliet used a high double for another takedown and stayed on top again to lead to 7-0 after two. Kerkvliet converted a high single for a takedown in the third, picked up a stall point and racked up 3:46 in riding time for a 12-0 major decision.
The win finished off Penn State’s 28-9 dual meet victory.
What’s Next?
The Nittany Lions will be in action next against the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City at 9 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 9. The dual be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
Geoff Rushton contributed to this report.
