NITTANY LIONS STORM TO 2025 BIG TEN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
EVANSTON, Ill. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (15-0, 8-0 B1G) stormed the field at the 2025 Big Ten Championship to claim its ninth Big Ten Championship, all under head coach Cael Sanderson. The Nittany Lions ran away from the field, winning the title with 181.5 points, a new school record (breaking the mark of 170.5 set last year). Five Nittany Lions won individual titles, also tying a school record.
Penn State has qualified all ten of its wrestlers for the 2025 NCAA Championships in Philadelphia in two weeks on March 20-22, 2025. All rankings listed are InterMat as of March 4, 2025. Penn State’s 181.5 points were 44.5 points in front of second place Nebraska’s 137.0. Iowa took third with 112.0.
This is Penn State’s ninth conference championship, having also won in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Penn State now has 69 Big Ten Champions spread among 37 individuals. Penn State’s five champions ties the school record, set in 2024 and 2011. Carter Starocci was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Year. He is Penn State’s 13th Big Ten Wrestler of the Year. Cael Sanderson was also named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the eight time.
True freshman Luke Lilledahl, ranked No. 8 at 125 by InterMat, took on No. 7 Caleb Smith of Nebraska in the first of Penn State’s six Big Ten title bouts. Lilledahl and Smith battled evenly for the first minute and a half, circling on the Northwestern logo in the center of the mat. Lilledahl turned a low single into a takedown and a 3-0 lead at :40. He finished the period on top and carried that lead into the second stanza. Smith escaped to a 3-1 score to start the second period. Lilledahl maintained position through the 1:00 mark, pressing Smith backwards s the clock moved to the end of the period. Lilledahl escaped quickly to start the third period and led 4-1. Lilledahl was called for stalling as action moved out of bounds and Smith cut the lead to 4-2 with 1:20 on the clock. Smith was awarded another stall point as Lilledahl defended in the middle of the mat as time ran out. Lilledahl, on the strength of his first period takedown, earned his first Big Ten Championship as a true freshman with a 4-3 win. Lilledahl, now a Big Ten Champion, went 4-0 in the tournament and heads to nationals with a 19-2 record.
Sophomore Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 1 at 157, faced No. 11 Brandon Cannon of Ohio State in the Big Ten finals. Cannon worked his way in on an early shot, but Kasak was able to quickly force a stalemate. Kasak battled the Buckeye through the 1:00 mark in neutral. Cannon worked in on a low shot late in the period, but Kasak quickly countered and took him down at the :28 mark to lead 3-0 after one. Cannon escaped to start the second period and Kasak led 3-1. Kasak scrambled away from a Cannon shot at :45, giving up a stall warning in the process. Kasak led 3-1 after two, chose down to start the third, and escaped to a 4-1 lead. Kasak gave up a stall point and led 4-2 at 1:15. He then grabbed Cannon by the shoulders, threw him to his back for a takedown and spent settled for four near fall points to lead 11-2 at after blood stopped action at :13. Kasak finished in control and, with a riding time point, rolled to his first Big Ten title with a 12-2 major decision. Kasak went 3-0 with a pin and a major at Big Tens and, now a Big Ten Champion, heads to nationals with a 17-1 overall record.
Sophomore Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 1 at 165, battled No. 2 Mikey Caliendo of Iowa in the Big Ten championship. Mesenbrink worked the middle of the mat over the first minute, taking quick shots and forcing Caliendo into defense and counter offense. His pressure paid off late in the period with a takedown at the :11 mark for a 3-0 lead. Caliendo escaped to start the second period, cutting the lead to 3-1. The escape was the only score of the middle period. Mesenbrink quickly escaped to start the third period and led 4-1. The duo battled evenly for the rest of the period and Mesenbrink walked away with a 4-1 win to claim his second Big Ten title. Mesenbrink went 3-0 at Big Tens and heads to the national tournament with a 22-0 overall record.
Junior Levi Haines, ranked No. 2 at 174, faced No. 8 Lenny Pinto of Nebraska in the conference title match. Haines fought off a Pinto shot at 1:40, working his way out of trouble and returning to his feet to keep the match scoreless. Haines worked on his feet to the end of the period and turned a late low single into a takedown with just :04 left to lead 3-0 after one. Haines then escaped to start the second period, upping his lead to 4-0. He then muscled a double to a second takedown and a 7-0 lead. Haines then took Pinto down and to his back, nearly pinning him but settling for four back points and an 11-1 lead after a late Pinto escape, ending the second period. Pinto chose down to start the third period and Haines built his riding time up well over 2:00. Haines controlled the action on top, clinching riding time with the rideout. He rolled to a 12-1 major decision, becoming a three-time Big Ten Champion in the process. Haines went 3-0 with a pin and a major in Evanston and heads to NCAAs with a 20-1 overall record.
Graduate Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 184, battled No. 4 Max McEnelly of Minnesota in the Big Ten title bout. The duo battled through an even 2:00 before McEnelly was able to turn a single into a takedown and a 3-1 lead. Starocci worked in on two shots in the last :30 but McEnelly was able to defend his way to the end of the period. Trailing 3-1, Starocci chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-2 score. Starocci chased McEnelly down as the Gopher retreated to the outside circle and tracked him down for a takedown and a 5-3 lead at :39. Starocci controlled the action until a late Minnesota escape. Starocci led 5-4 after two. McEnelly chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 5-5 tie. Starocci forced one stall warning before the period ended and the bout moved to sudden victory tied 5-5. Starocci controlled the center of the mat through the bulk of extra time and, in the waning seconds, slid by McEnelly for the winning takedown. The late move gave Starocci an 8-5 (sv) win and earned him his third Big Ten title. Starocci went 3-0 in his final Big Ten tournament and heads to the NCAA Championship with a 21-0 overall record.
Senior+ Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 2 at 285, faced No. 1 Gable Steveson of Minnesota in the last Big Ten title bout of the day. Kerkvliet and Steveson battled evenly through the opening minute-plus. With the clock moving past the 1:00 mark, Steveson worked his way in through a double to take a 3-0 lead at :34. Trailing 3-0 after one, Kerkvliet chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 3-1 score at 1:36. Steveson added a second takedown to open up a 6-1 lead at 1:00. Kerkvliet escaped before the period ended and trailed 6-2 after two. Steveson picked up a third takedown to lead 9-3 after a Kerkvliet escape.
Sophomore Braeden Davis, ranked No. 5 at 133, met No. 4 Braxton Brown of Maryland in the consolation semifinals. Davis countered a Brown shot at the 2:05 mark and moved in for his own takedown to open up a 3-0 lead at the 1:57 mark. Davis then turned Brown for four back points but gave up a reversal and led 7-2 after the flurry. Davis added an escape and led 8-2 after one. Davis controlled Brown, who chose down to start the second period, and built up over 1:00 in time. But he gave up a stall point in the process and led 8-3 at :40. Brown escaped, and Davis led 8-4 after two. Davis escaped quickly to start the third and led 9-4. With :45 left, Brown countered a Davis shot and took the Lion down to cut the lead to 8-7. Davis then spent the final :45 seconds fighting off a strong Brown effort to turn him and advanced to the third-place bout with a 9-7 win. Davis took on No. 12 Nic Bouzakis of Ohio State in the third-place bout. Davis took a quick 3-0 lead with a takedown at 1:45 but Bouzakis managed a reversal and two near fall. Davis reversed him back and led 5-4 with just over 1:00 left. Davis instigated another wild scramble, nearly taking Bouzakis to his back. But the Buckeye countered, scrambled and picked up a quick pin of his own, getting the fall at 2:22. Davis, the fourth seed, placed fourth at Big Tens with a 4-2 mark and heads to NCAAs with a 12-5 record.
Senior+ Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 1 at 141, took on No. 13 Joey Olivieri of Rutgers in the consolation semifinals. Bartlett took a 3-0 lead with 1:00 left in the first, turning a single leg into a takedown. He carried that lead into the second period. Bartlett escaped quickly to start the second to up his lead to 4-1. Bartlett worked neutral through the second period and carried that lead into the third. Olivieri escaped to start the third period and Bartlett led 4-2. Bartlett controlled his position in the center of the mat for the rest of the bout and moved into the third-place bout with a 4-2 victory. Bartlett met No. 2 Jesse Mendez of Ohio State in the third-place match-up. Bartlett forced Mendez into an early stall warning at 2:30 then fought off high control as the clock hit 2:00. Bartlett then gave up a stall warning as well. Bartlett nearly connected on a high shot, but Mendez fought off the shot, then another Bartlett shot, and the match moved to the second period tied 0-0. Bartlett escaped to a 1-0 lead at the 1:09 mark of the second period after choosing down to start it. The escape was the only score of the period and Bartlett led by one after two. Mendez escaped thirty seconds into he third to tie the bout at 1-1. Mendez shot low and Bartlett countered, steadily working his way into control for a takedown and a 4-1 lead at the :38 mark. Mendez managed a late escape, but Bartlett sealed the deal with the earlier takedown, posting the 4-2 win to take third place. Bartlett, who went 3-1 at Big Tens this year, heads to NCAAs with a 21-1 overall record.
Sophomore Shayne Van Ness, ranked No. 2 at 149, faced No. 18 Andrew Clark of Rutgers in the consolation semifinals. Van Ness notched the bout’s first takedown at the 1:38 mark, opening up a 3-0 lead. Van Ness controlled the action on top for the rest of the period and led 3-0 with 1:38 in riding time after one. Van Ness escaped quickly to start the second and then moved in on offense for another takedown to open up a 7-0 advantage. Clark escaped late in the period, but Van Ness took him down in the final seconds to lead 10-1 after two. Van Ness chose down in the third and picked up a stall point from Clark during the ride. Van Ness tacked on an escaped and moved into the third-place bout with a 12-1 major decision. Van Ness battled No. 3 Kyle Parco of Iowa in the third-place bout. Van Ness took a low double and scrambled his way to a takedown at the 1:12 mark. He worked Parco’s back to the mat, nearly pinning him, and settling for a 7-0 lead after the opening stanza. Van Ness escaped to an 8-0 lead to start the second period. He muscled Parco to the mat once more and led 11-0 at 1:00. He finished the period on top and carried that lead to the third. Parco chose down to start the third and Van Ness never let up. The Lion sophomore controlled Parco for the period and, with 3:50 in riding time, rolled to the 13-0 major decision, claiming third place. Van Ness went 3-1 with three majors in Evanston and heads to Philadelphia with a 20-2 overall record.
Redshirt freshman Josh Barr, ranked No. 2 at 197, met No. 8 Isaiah Salazar of Minnesota in the consolation semifinals. Barr came out with a high pace but was injured in a scramble out of bounds. He tried to continue but was unable and lost by injury default and dropped into the fifth placer bout. Barr did not compete in the fifth-place bout, taking a medical forfeit (not a loss). Barr went 1-2 on the day and placed sixth. Barr leaves Evanston with a 16-3 overall record.
The Nittany Lions went 10-3 on Sunday and closed out the tournament with a 29-7 record. Penn State amassed 27.0 bonus points off 11 majors, four tech falls, four pins and a default win.
Penn State’s five Big Ten Champions have all earned first team All-Big Ten honors: Luke Lilledahl (125), Tyler Kasak (157), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165), Levi Haines (174) and Carter Starocci (184). Penn State’s Big Ten Runner-up Greg Kerkvliet (285) earned second team All-Big Ten laurels.
Penn State will now prepare for the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia, Pa. The three-day event runs Thursday through Saturday, March 20-22, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center. Thursday’s sessions are set for 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday’s sessions are at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday’s sessions are slated for 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The tournament seeds and full bracket will be revealed on Wednesday, March 12, at 8 p.m. on NCAA.com (at-large selections for each weight will be rolled out a day prior on Tuesday by the NCAA selection committee). Penn State closed out the 2024-25 dual slate with a 15-0 mark, 8-0 in Big Ten action (Regular Season Champions).
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.
Penn State at the 2025 Big Ten Championships
March 8-9, 2025 – Evanston, Ill. – Northwestern University, Host
Team Standings — FINAL after Session 3 (Top three)
1: PENN STATE – 181.5 pts.
2: Nebraska – 137.0
3: Iowa – 112.0
Weight-by-weight agate (rankings listed are InterMat as of 2/25/25):
125: #8 Luke Lilledahl, Fr., Weldon Spring, Mo./Wyoming Seminary – 4th-seed
Rd. 1: Caelen Riley, Illinois – WBF (4:09)
Qtr: #15 Joey Cruz, Iowa – W, 11-1 maj. dec.
Semis: #1 Matt Ramos, Purdue – W, 12-4 maj. dec.
Finals: #7 Caleb Smith, Nebraska – W, 4-3 dec.
Lilledahl took on Illinois’ Caelen Riley in the opening round. Lilledahl used two takedowns in the first two minutes to open up a 6-1 lead and build his riding time up over 1:00. He added a third takedown and led 9-2 after one. Lilledahl escaped to start the second period, took Riley down on the edge of the mat midway through the period and pinned the Illini at 4:09 to advance to the quarterfinals. He took on No. 15 Joey Cruz of Iowa in the quarters. Lilledahl used a last second takedown in the opening period to lead 3-0 after one. He then escaped to a 4-0 lead to start the second period. Lilledahl took Cruz down with :30 left in the period, finished on top and led 7-0 after two. Lilledahl worked his riding time up over 1:00 before Cruz escaped to a 7-1 score in the third. The Lion freshman picked up a final takedown at :35 and added 1:45 in riding time to roll to an 11-1 major decision, advancing to the semifinals and earning a trip to the NCAA Championships.
Luke met No. 1 Matt Ramos of Purdue in the first of Penn State’s nine semifinal bouts. The duo battled through an even minute before Lilledahl lifted Ramos off the mat, took him down and added four nearfall points to lead 7-0 at 1:55. Ramos escaped to a 7-1 score and Lilledahl carried that lead into the second period. Lilledahl controlled Ramos to start the second period, building up over a minute in riding time before Ramos reversed him. Lilledahl then escaped to an 8-3 lead. He carried that lead, and 1:07 in riding time, into the third period. Lilledahl added a takedown to start the third period to up his lead to 11-3. Ramos added an escape and Lilledahl controlled neutral for the rest of the match. The Lion true freshman added a riding time point and rolled to an impressive 12-4 major decision to advance to the Big Ten finals.
SEE ABOVE STORY FOR THIS SESSION’S BOUT-BY-BOUT
133: #5 Braeden Davis, So., Belleville, Mich./Dundee – 4th-seed
Rd. 1: Andrew Hampton, Michigan State – W, 11-2 maj. dec.
Qtr: #10 Dylan Shawver, Rutgers – L, 1-3 dec.
Cn. 2: Dustin Norris, Purdue – W, 17-2 (TF; 2:03)
Cn. 3: #28 Angelo Rini, Indiana – W, 10-5 dec.
Cn. Semi: #4 Braxton Brown, Maryland – W, 9-7 dec.
3rd: #12 Nic Bouzakis, Ohio State – LBF (2:22)
Davis battled Andrew Hampton of Michigan State in the first round. Davis picked up a takedown midway through the opening period and carried a 3-1 lead into the second period. He escaped to start the second period then added a late takedown to lead 7-1 heading into the third. After a Hampton escape, Davis added one more takedown and tacked on riding time to roll to an 11- 2 major decision. He met No. 10 Dylan Shawver of Rutgers in the quarterfinals. Davis fought off a late Shawver shot over the last seconds of the opening period to move the bout into the second tied 0-0. Shawver chose neutral in the second and Davis battled through another late shot to head to the third tied 0-0. Davis escaped to a 1-0 lead quickly in the third. Davis and Shawver rolled through a wild scramble that appeared to lead to a Davis takedown. None was called, Penn State threw a brick, action continued with Shawver being given a takedown with just seconds left. The flurry went to review. The call on the mat stood and Davis dropped the last second 3-1 decision.
Braeden met Dustin Norris of Purdue in his first consolation bout of the night. Davis took control of the match early with a takedown and four near fall points to open up a 7-0 lead. He added two more takedowns before the 2:00 mark and then turned Norris to his back once more and picked up the first period tech fall, winning 17-2 at the 2:03 mark. Davis then took on No. 28 Angelo Rini of Indiana in the next round of consolations. Davis took a 3-0 lead midway through the opening period. He added a second takedown late in the period and led 6-1 after one. After a Rini escape to start the second, the Hoosier scrambled to a late takedown to cut Davis’ lead to 6-5 heading to the third. Davis used an escape and a late takedown in the third period to post a 10-5 win and move into the consolation semifinals.
SEE ABOVE STORY FOR THIS SESSION’S BOUT-BY-BOUT
141: #1 Beau Bartlett, Sr.+, Tempe, Ariz./Wyoming Seminary – 1st-seed
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: #28 Greyson Clark, Purdue – W, 13-3 maj. dec.
Semis: #8 Vance Vombaur, Minnesota – L, 3-5 dec.
Cn. Semi: #13 Joey Olivieri, Rutgers – W, 4-2 dec.
3rd: #2 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State – W, 4-2 dec.
Bartlett had a first-round bye and took on No. 28 Greyson Clark of Purdue in the quarterfinals. Bartlett used two slick first period takedowns to take a 6-2 lead into the second period. He added a quick takedown in the second stanza to open up a 9-2 lead and carried that lead, plus 1:40 in riding time, into the third period. Bartlett worked his way to an escape and a 10-2 lead midway through the third period. Bartlett tacked on one more takedown and moved into the semifinals with a 13-3 major decision. He also earned a trip to the NCAA tournament once more.
Beau faced No. 8 Vance Vombaur of Minnesota in the semifinals. Vombaur got on the board first with an early takedown and led 3-1 after a Bartlett escape at 1:06. Bartlett fought off a couple more Vombaur shots and trailed 3-1 after one. Vombaur escaped to a 4-1 lead to start the second period. Bartlett got in on a deep single midway through the second, but the Gopher fought off the effort and Bartlett trailed 4-1 after two. Bartlett escaped to a 4-2 score at 1:01 but Vombaur had 1:36 in riding time. Bartlett picked up a stall point but Vombaur, with riding time, held on for the 5-3 win, sending Bartlett to the consolation semifinals.
SEE ABOVE STORY FOR THIS SESSION’S BOUT-BY-BOUT
149: #2 Shayne Van Ness, So., Somerville, N.J./Blair Academy – 1st-seed
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: #29 Kal Miller, Maryland – W, 12-2 maj. dec.
Semis: #16 Kannon Webster, Illinois – L, 2-4 dec.
Cn. Semi: #18 Andrew Clark, Rutgers – W, 12-1 maj. dec.
3rd: #3 Kyle Parco, Iowa – W, 13-0 maj. dec.
Van Ness had a first-round bye and took on No. 29 Kal Miller of Maryland in the quarterfinals. Van Ness notched a takedown with 1:04 left in the first period and finished the stanza on top to lead 3-0 after one. He quickly escaped to a 4-0 lead to start the second period. Van Ness worked his way to a takedown in the final minute, finished on top and led 7-0 with 1:33 in riding time after two. After a Miller escape, Van Ness picked up another takedown and a stall point to lead 11-2 after Miller escaped at :35. He tacked on a riding time point and rolled into the semifinals with a 12-2 major decision. The win also clinched a spot at the NCAA Championships.
Shayne took on No. 16 Kannon Webster of Illinois in the semis. Van Ness and Webster battled through a scoreless first period. Van Ness escaped quickly to start the second period, the only scoring of the middle stanza as Webster battled through a late Van Ness shot to kill the clock. Webster escaped early in the third to tie the bout at 1-1 and then Van Ness fought off a Webster shot to keep the match tied at :55. Van Ness scrambled for a late takedown, Webster countered and notched a last second takedown to grab a 4-2 win (giving up locked hands in the process). Van Ness’ loss sent him to the consolation semifinals.
SEE ABOVE STORY FOR THIS SESSION’S BOUT-BY-BOUT
157: #1 Tyler Kasak, So., Doylestown, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic – 2nd-seed
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: #9 Trevor Chumbley, Northwestern – W, 7-3 dec.
Semis: #4 Antrell Taylor, Nebraska – WBF (1:17)
Finals: #11 Brandon Cannon, Ohio State – W, 12-2 maj. dec.
Kasak had a first-round bye and took on No. 9 Trevor Chumbley of Northwestern in the quarterfinals. Kasak scored quickly, taking a 3-0 lead off the opening whistle. He added a second takedown to carry a 6-1 lead into the second. Kasak escaped to start the middle period and led 7-1. He carried that lead into the third period. Kasak was able to hold on for a 7-3 win despite giving up a couple late stall points. His win advanced him to the semifinals and earned him a trip to the NCAA Championships.
Tyler battled No. 4 Antrell Taylor of Nebraska in the semifinals. Kasak scored quickly, taking Taylor down for an early 3-0 lead at the 2:43 mark. After a Taylor escape, Kasak continued to move in on offense, taking the Husker down and to his back. He settled in and finished off the first period pin at the 1:17 mark, advancing to the Big Ten title bout.
SEE ABOVE STORY FOR THIS SESSION’S BOUT-BY-BOUT
165: #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, So., Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead – 1st-seed
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: #9 Paddy Gallagher, Ohio State – W, med. def. (0:01)
Semis: #10 Beau Mantanona, Michigan – W, 25-8 (TF; 6:29)
Finals: #2 Mikey Caliendo, Iowa – W, 4-1 dec.
Mesenbrink had a first-round bye and met No. 9 Paddy Gallagher of Ohio State in the quarterfinals. Mesenbrink received a medical default victory and advanced to the semifinals with the win. He also earned a trip to the NCAA Championships.
Mitchell faced No. 10 Beau Mantanona of Michigan in semis. Mantanona notched the first takedown, taking a 3-1 lead early in the match. Mesenbrink battled through the Wolverine’s defense to take a 4-3 lead at the :55 mark. Mesenbrink escaped to start the second period and the added two quick takedowns to lead 11-5. He added another takedown late in the period to lead 14-5 after two. After a Mantanona escape, Mesenbrink picked up a stall point and then took the Wolverine down for an 18-6 lead. Mesenbrink added two more takedowns and a stall point to cap off a convincing 25-8 technical fall at the 6:29 mark to advance to the Big Ten finals.
SEE ABOVE STORY FOR THIS SESSION’S BOUT-BY-BOUT
174: #2 Levi Haines, Jr., Arendtsville, Pa./Biglerville – 1st-seed
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: #26 Brody Baumann, Purdue – WBF (5:58)
Semis: #10 Patrick Kennedy, Iowa – W, 10-3 dec.
Finals: #8 Lenny Pinto, Nebraska – W, 12-1 maj. dec.
Haines had a first-round bye and took on No. 26 Brody Baumann of Purdue in the quarterfinals. Haines took Baumann down at the 1:59 mark and then finished the period on top to lead 3-0 after one. He chose down to start the second and quickly reversed his way to a 5-0 lead to start the middle stanza. He built his riding time up to 3:50 with a rideout and carried that led to the third. Haines added an early takedown in the third to lead 8-0, then another to lead 11-1 and picked up the fall at the 5:58 mark, moving on to the semifinals and earning a trip to the NCAA tournament.
Levi took on No. 10 Patrick Kennedy of Iowa in the semifinals. Haines took a quick 3-1 lead early in the first period with a fast takedown. He battled through the rest of the period in neutral and carried that lead into the second period. Haines escaped to start the second period, opening up a 4-1 lead. He took a 7-2 lead with a takedown midway through the second period and carried it into the third. Kennedy escaped to start the third period, cutting Haines’ lead to 7-3. Haines added a late takedown and rolled into the Big Ten finals with a 10-3 win.
SEE ABOVE STORY FOR THIS SESSION’S BOUT-BY-BOUT
184: #1 Carter Starocci, Gr., Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep – 1st-seed
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: #24 DJ Washington, Indiana – W, 18-1 (TF; 4:54)
Semis: #11 Jaxon Smith, Maryland – W, 12-2 maj. dec.
Finals: #4 Max McEnelly, Minnesota – W, 8-5 (sv) dec.
Starocci had a first-round bye and took on DJ Washington of Indiana in the quarterfinals. Starocci dominated the first period, using a takedown and two stall points to lead 4-0 early. He picked up four late back points and led 9-0 after one. He reversed Washington to start the second stanza and led 11-0. Starocci ended the match in the second period with another takedown and four near fall points, getting the tech fall at the 4:54 mark to advance to the semifinals. Starocci also earned his fifth trip to nationals with the win.
Carter battled No. 11 Jaxon Smith of Maryland in the semifinals. Starocci chased Smith around the outside circle for the first period, forcing one stall but the bout moved to the second tied 0-0. Starocci escaped to a 1-0 lead early in the second and then pulled Smith back on to the mat for a takedown and a 4-0 lead midway through the period. Smith escaped to a 4-1 score to start the third period. Starocci picked up a stall point and then took Smith down again to open up an 8-1 lead with over 1:00 in time. He added a late takedown and riding time and rolled into the Big Ten finals with a 12-2 major decision.
SEE ABOVE STORY FOR THIS SESSION’S BOUT-BY-BOUT
197: #2 Josh Barr, R-Fr., Davison, Mich./Davison – 2nd-seed
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: #20 Camden McDanel, Nebraska – W, 17-2 (TF; 4:05)
Semis: #3 Jacob Cardenas, Michigan – L, 1-4 (sv)
Cn. Semi: #8 Isaiah Salazar, Minnesota – L, inj. def.
5th: Did not compete (medical forfeit, not a loss)
Barr had a first-round bye and met No. 20 Camden McDanel of Nebraska in the quarterfinals. Barr scored quickly, taking McDanel down off the opening whistle. Barr built up over 1:00 in time, let McDanel up and then took him down again. He added four back points to lead 10-1 after the opening period. He quickly escaped to an 11-1 lead to start the second period then took a 14-2 lead with another quick takedown. He ended the match with a final takedown, getting the 17-2 tech fall at 4:05. The win moved Barr into the semifinals and earned him his first trip to the NCAA Championships.
Josh met No. 3 Jacob Cardenas of Michigan in the semifinals. Barr battled the Wolverine evenly in neutral for the entire first period and the match moved to the second stanza tied 0-0. Barr escaped quickly to start the second and led 1-0. Barr pressed forward but Cardenas was able to defend his way through the period and the Lion freshman led 1-0 after two. Cardenas escaped to a 1-1 tie at the 1:33 mark in the third period. The two escapes were the only scoring in regulation and the match moved to sudden victory. Cardenas was able to scramble to a takedown late in sudden victory to post the 4-1 (sv) win, dropping Barr to consolation semifinal action.
SEE ABOVE STORY FOR THIS SESSION’S BOUT-BY-BOUT
285: #2 Greg Kerkvliet, Sr.+, Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley – 2nd-seed
Rd. 1: bye
Rd. 2: #11 Ben Kueter, Iowa – WBF (1:53)
Semis: #8 Josh Heindselman, Michigan – W, 9-1 maj. dec.
Finals: #1 Gable Steveson, Minnesota – L, 3-10 dec.
Kerkvliet had a first-round bye and battled No. 11 Ben Kueter of Iowa in the quarterfinals. Kerkvliet took Kueter down quickly, opening up a 3-0 lead in the initial seconds of the bout. He cut the Hawkeye loose and immediately took him down again to lead 6-1 at 1:47. Kerkvliet then turned Kueter to his back and picked up the first period pin at the 1:53 mark. Kerkvliet’s fall earned him a spot in the semifinals and a fifth trip to the NCAA tournament.
Greg battled No. 8 Josh Heindselman of Michigan in the last of Penn State’s ninth semifinal bouts. Kerkvliet drew first blood, taking Heindselman down early in the first period to open up a 3-0 lead. Heindselman managed an escape after a 1:20 ride and Kerkvliet led 3-1 after one. Kerkvliet escaped to start the second period, opening up a 4-1 lead. Kerkvliet added another takedown to lead 7-1 at the midway point of the period and worked his riding time up over 2:00. He finished the period on top and led 7-1 heading into the third. Heindselman chose down to start the third and Kerkvliet spent the period working for back points. While the Wolverine fought off any nearfall points, Kerkvliet picked up a stall point and finished with 4:27 in riding time to post a strong 9-1 major decision. Kerkvliet’s win pushed him into the Big Ten finals.
SEE ABOVE STORY FOR THIS SESSION’S BOUT-BY-BOUT
