Nittany Lions Roar at NWCA All-Star Exhibition in Rec Hall
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – Five Penn State Nittany Lion wrestlers took part in the 2023 National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic on Tuesday. The exhibition, which is not an official NCAA event and does not count on the competitors’ official records, was held in Penn State’s Rec Hall. All-rankings listed are InterMat.
The All-Star Classic featured a line-up of 10 collegiate bouts featuring 20 of the nation’s top wrestlers from around the country, as well as four women’s freestyle showcases. For Penn State, All-Americans Shayne Van Ness, Carter Starocci, Bernie Truax, Aaron Brooks and Greg Kerkvliet too part. A total of four exhibition matches took place, including four women’s freestyle bouts and ten men’s collegiate matches.
Van Ness, ranked No. 2 at 149, met No. 3 Kyle Parco of Arizona State. The duo battled evenly for the opening minute with Van Ness staying on attack. Van Ness shot Parco out of bounds as the clock hit 1:05 and forced a reset in the middle of the mat. The Lion sophomore almost hit a throw in the waning seconds of the first period, but Parco fought off the effort and the bout moved to the second period tied 0-0. Van Ness chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. He continued to shoot and force Parco backwards as the clock moved to the 1:00 mark in the second. Parco took a shot off a reset, but Van Ness fought off the effort and kept action neutral. Van Ness turned a scramble into a throw as the period ended for a takedown and a 4-0 lead after two. Parco chose down to start the third period and Van Ness controlled the action deep into the period. He worked his riding time edge over 1:00 and then maintained control as the clock hit :30. Parco managed a late escape, but Van Ness rolled to a 5-1 win with 1:39 in riding time.
Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, met No. 3 Mekhi Lewis of Virginia Tech. Starocci moved in on a high single at the 2:15 mark and fought for a takedown but Lewis battled through the shot and kept action neutral at 1:30. Starocci continued to shoot Lewis off the mat, working a single leg but the Hokie was able to escape out of bounds to keep the bout tied 0-0. Starocci forced a first stall at :25. Starocci nearly finished off a takedown as the clock hit 0:00 but the bout moved to the second in a scoreless tie. Lewis chose down to start the second period and Starocci put together a strong ride. He dominated action on top, forcing the Hokie flat, working the clock down below 1:00. He picked up a point on a second stall to lead 1-0 at 0:50. Starocci then turned Lewis for a four-point nearfall and finished the period on top to lead 5-0 after two. He chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to a 6-0 lead. Starocci’s offensive pressure forced Lewis to work the out-of-bounds circle as the clock hit the 1:00 mark. He tacked on another stall point and then roared through a takedown as the period ended. Starocci picked up 1:54 in riding time to roll to an 11-0 major decision.
