Penn State’s Josh Barr Named B1G Freshman of the Week
UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State Nittany Lion wrester Josh Barr has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the week ending February 9, 2025. Barr earns the honor after a 2-0 weekend for the Nittany Lions, who continued to dominate Big Ten competition. The award is the 10th of the year for the Nittany Lions (Wrestler and Freshman).
Josh Barr continued his stellar rookie campaign, picking up two more Big Ten victories, including knocking off the second-ranked wrestler in the nation at 197. Barr began the weekend by using a late reversal in a tiebreaker to post a 3-2 (tb) win over No. 2 Josh Cardenas of Michigan. Barr’s win over the Wolverine grad student helped spark Penn State to a 39-0 shutout win over visiting Michigan in the Bryce Jordan Center.
Two days later, Barr tallied four takedowns and almost 5:00 in riding time to roll to 17-2 technical fall over Maryland Senior Chase Mielnik (4:35). Barr’s win helped Penn State roll over the Terrapins 35-10 in Rec Hall. Barr improved to 12-1 with the perfect weekend, including five pins, four techs and a major.
Penn State, which did not give up a takedown in either dual meet, improved to 12-0 overall, 6-0 in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions visit Ohio State on Friday, Feb. 14, for a 7 p.m. dual on the Big Ten Network. Two days later, Penn State is at Illinois for a 2 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. local) dual.
Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via X/twitter at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here.
