Penn State Sends School Record Seven Wrestlers to B1G Finals

PublisherMarch 9, 2024

19 minutes read

Photo Courtesy PSU Athletics Mark Selders

COLLEGE PARK, MD – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (12-0, 8-0 B1G) will have a school-record seven wrestlers competing in the 2024 Big Ten Championship Finals on Sunday. Penn State has qualified nine wrestlers for the 2024 NCAA Championships in two weeks.

The Nittany Lions went 7-2 in the semifinals, setting the new school, breaking the mark of six set in 2023 and 2019. Penn State will have finalists at 125, 141, 157, 165, 184, 197 and 285. Penn State leads the team race with 136.0 points. Michigan is in second with 105.5 while Nebraska sits in third with 89.0.

True freshman Braeden Davis, ranked No. 9 at 125, met No. 16 Michael DeAugustino of Michigan in the first of Penn State’s nine semifinal matches. Davis and DeAugustino worked the middle of the mat for the opening minute. The duo worked the clock down past 1:00 in neutral, then to the end of the first period and action moved to the second tied 0-0. Davis chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Davis held position through :30 and the bout moved to the third with Davis up 1-0. DeAugustino chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 1-1 tie at 1:42. The clock moved below 1:00 and then :30 with neither wrestler threatening on offense. Davis and DeAugustino moved into sudden victory tied 1-1. Davis and DeAugustino worked in neutral as the clock moved through the first period of extra time. The match moved to a tiebreaker, with DeAugustino down first. He escaped in :05 to a 2-1 lead. Davis rolled to a quick escape himself, in what was first called :05 to essentially tie the bout. Penn State challenged the riding time, however as an extra second appeared to click off the clock. After review, the call held and the 2-2 match moved to a second sudden victory period. Davis worked halfway into the period and then exploded through a shot for a takedown, notching the thrilling 5-2 (sv2) win with :25 on the clock and moving him into the Big Ten finals.

Sophomore Aaron Nagao, ranked No. 11 at 133, faced off against No. 5 Dylan Ragusin in his semifinal bout. Nagao forced a scramble a minute into the opening period, but Ragusin was able to counter scramble to a takedown and a 3-0 lead at 1:59. Nagao was unable to break free of Ragusin’s ride until rolling through for a reversal at :25 to cut the lead to 3-2. Ragusin escaped and Nagao trailed 4-2 after one. Nagao chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-3 score. Nagao worked for position in the middle of the mat as the clock moved to the 1:00 mark. Nagao fought off a throw effort from Ragusin at :40, giving up a stall warning in the process. Nagao trailed 4-3 after two and Ragusin chose down to start the third. Ragusin escaped to a 5-3 lead while still holding 1:09 in riding time. Nagao got in deep on a single but potentially dangerous stopped action at 1:20. Nagao continued to press on offense, with Ragusin playing the outside circle. Ragusin got hit with stalling at :32 for the first time and Nagao continued to shoot him out of bounds. Nagao worked his way in on a deep shot at :15 but Ragusin slid out of bounds at :05. Nagao chased the Wolverine and nearly connected on a late shot, but time ran out and the Nittany Lion dropped a 6-3 decision. Nagao, still alive for third, dropped into consolation action with the loss.

Senior Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 1 at 141, faced No. 10 Sergio Lemley of Michigan in the semifinals. Bartlett and Lemley battled in the middle of the mat through the opening minute. The clock moved past the 1:00 mark with neither wrestler threatening as they worked for position. The first period ended in a 0-0 tie. Bartlett chose down to start the second stanza, quickly escaping to a 1-0 lead. He pushed the pace on offense as the clock hit 1:00 and then worked his way in on a low single, finishing off the takedown at :44 to take a 4-0 lead. Bartlett gave up a stall warning on his ride but finished the period on top to lead 4-0 after two. Lemley chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 4-1 score. He worked his way in on a high single and Bartlett countered. But Lemley was able to finish off the takedown and tie the score. Bartlett escaped to a 5-4 lead with :45 left in the bout. Bartlett was able to defend Lemley’s efforts in the closing seconds and moved into the Big Ten finals with a 5-4 win.

True freshman Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 9 at 149, battled No. 1 Ridge Lovett of Nebraska in his semifinal match-up. The duo battled through an even minute with Lovett holding position in the center of the mat. Kasak worked his way around the Husker, repositioning himself at the 1:00 mark. They traded shots at :50 but neither wrestler connected. Kasak worked his way in on a shot and battled for a takedown as the first period wound down, but Lovett fought the move off and killed the clock. Lovett chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 1-0 lead. Kasak held position through the rest of the period and trailed 1-0 after two. He chose neutral to start the third, going to work on offense and looking for a go-ahead takedown. Kasak nearly connected on a slide by at 1:25 but Lovett fought it off and the Lion freshman trailed at the 1:10 mark. Lovett forced a scramble with a low shot and Kasak tried to counter the effort, but Lovett eventually finished off the takedown and led 4-0 at the :20 mark. Kasak dropped the hard-fought 4-0 decision and fell into consolation action, still alive for third.

Sophomore Levi Haines, ranked No. 1 at 157, took on No. 5 Jared Franek of Iowa in Penn State’s fifth semifinal. Haines and Franek battled evenly for the first minute. Haines set a fast pace, looking to break through Franek’s defense as the clock moved through the 1:00 mark. The Lion sophomore kept pressuring Franek, but the first period ended in a 0-0 tie. Haines chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Haines worked his way in deep on a low shot and muscled through for a takedown and a 4-0 lead with :25 on the clock. He finished the period on top and led 4-0 after two periods. Franek chose down to start the third period and Haines went to work on top. The Nittany Lion sophomore worked his riding time up over 1:00 with a strong ride, working the clock down below the 1:00 mark. Haines kept Franek on the mat and finished the period on top, rolling to a 5-0 win with 2:19 in riding time, and advancing to the Big Ten finals.

Freshman Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 5 at 165, met No. 6 Mikey Caliendo of Iowa in his semi. Mesenbrink scored quickly, lifting Caliendo off the mat and returning him for a 3-1 lead after a quick Iowa escape. Mesenbrink’s pace continued with the Lion taking two fast shots that Caliendo was able to defend through the 2:00 mark. Caliendo worked a high double into a scramble, but Mesenbrink was able to counter the effort. A stalemate stopped action before Mesenbrink could score but the Lion was undeterred working a fast low double to a takedown and a 6-1 lead with 1:00 left. Caliendo escaped on a reset and Mesenbrink continued to move forward, leading 6-2. He forced Caliendo into a stall warning and then rolled through a high double for a third takedown and a 9-2 lead. Caliendo escaped late and Mesenbrink led 9-3 after one. Caliendo chose down to start the second period. Mesenbrink worked the top position for a bit before Caliendo escaped to a 9-4 score at 1:40. Mesenbrink quickly added a takedown and cut to lead 12-4, then rolled through a fifth takedown to lead 15-5 at the 1:02 mark. Mesenbrink picked up a stall point and led 16-6 with 1:58 in riding time after two. Mesenbrink chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 17-6 lead. Mesenbrink worked a low shot into another takedown and a 20-6 lead with clinched time at the :40 mark. He cut Caliendo loose with just :25 left and finished off the match with a final takedown at 6:47, moving into the Big Ten finals with the 23-7 tech fall (6:47).

Graduate Bernie Truax, ranked No. 6 at 184, took on No. 3 Lenny Pinto of Nebraska in the semifinals. Truax went to work on offense from the onset, looking to maintain position and push the pace early. He took a fast shot that Pinto countered, and Truax skipped out of trouble in a flurry at the 2:20 mark. Truax continued to battle for position with Pinto as the clock moved through the 1:00 mark. Pinto took a slight shot in the final seconds of the period, but Truax easily defended, and the bout moved to the second tied 0-0. Truax chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. The worked in neutral as the clock slid below the 1:00 mark. Trailing 1-0, Pinto chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie. Truax nearly connected on a single leg, but Pinto defended the effort as the clock hit 1:40. Truax continued to pressure the Husker and turned a low double into a takedown and a 4-1 lead at 1:12. Pinto escaped to a 4-2 score with :50 left in the bout. The duo scrambled through a wild flurry at the :30 mark but Truax held firm on defense and moved into the Big Ten finals with a thrilling 4-2 win.

Senior+ Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 197, faced No. 13 Silas Allred of Nebraska in his semifinal bout. Brooks scored quickly, taking a 3-1 lead in the opening seconds. The Nittany Lion senior tacked on a second takedown at the 1:45 mark to lead 6-1. Brooks controlled the action on top, building his riding time up over 1:00 while trying to turn Allred for back points or more. Brooks forced Allred into a first stall at :25 and finished the period on top to lead 6-1 after one. Allred chose down to start the second period and Brooks once again went to work on top. The Nittany Lion built up over 2:00 in time, then locked up a cradle. Brooks worked on top and settled for a four-point turn to lead 10-1 at :26. Brooks finished off the period on top and carried that lead, plus 3:51 in time, into the third. Brooks chose neutral to start the third period. He shot through a single for a takedown and a 13-2 lead after cutting Allred loose. Brooks worked for a final takedown, but Allred was able to defend his efforts. Brooks added 4:01 in riding time and rolled into the Big Ten finals with a 14-2 major decision.

Senior Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 1 at 285, took on No. 12 Yaraslau Slavikouski of Rutgers in the last of Penn State’s nine semifinal matches. Kerkvliet scored quickly, taking the Knight down in the opening seconds for a 3-0 lead. Kerkvliet controlled the action with a dominant ride, working his time edge up well over 2:00 while trying to turn Slavikouski. He picked up a stall point late and led 4-0 with 2:53 in time after one. Kerkvliet chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 5-0 lead. Kerkvliet moved through a high single, pulled the Knight back in bounds and scored on a strong mat return to open up an 8-0 lead at :55. Trailing 8-0, Slavikouski chose neutral to start the third period. Kerkvliet worked the middle of he mat over the course of the final minutes but the Knight was able to defend his efforts. Kerkvliet, with 3:47 in riding time, rolled into the Big Ten finals with a 9-0 major decision.

Senior Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, stepped on the mat for one second and took a second injury default loss at 6:59, this one to No. 32 Brody Baumann of Purdue. In order to be considered for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, Starocci had to compete in two bouts at the conference qualifiers. He will await the allocations of 174’s four at-large spots, announced by the NCAA selection committee on Tuesday.

The Nittany Lions close out day one with a 20-4 record. Penn State has picked up 15.0 bonus points off five majors, four technical falls, and two pins.

The tournament continues on Sunday with sessions three and four at 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (finals and placing bouts). The entire tournament will be streamed live on B1G+. Saturday night’s semifinals and Sunday’s finals are live on the Big Ten Network.

The 2023-24 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline. 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 2024 Big Ten Championship – Session 2
March 9, 2024 – College Park, Md. – University of Maryland, Host

Team Standings (Top five after session 2)
1: PENN STATE – 136.0
2: Michigan – 105.5
3: Nebraska – 89.0
4: Iowa – 88.5
5: Ohio State – 78.5

Weight-by-weight agate (RANKINGS LISTED ARE INTERMAT as of 2/27/24):

125: #9 Braeden Davis, Fr., Belleville, Mich./Dundee — #6 seed
Rd. 1: Justin Cardani, Illinois – W, 11-1 maj. dec.
Qtr: #5 Eric Barnett, Wisconsin – W, 8-7 (SV) dec.
Semis: #16 Michael DeAugustino, Michigan – W, 5-2 (SV2) dec.
Finals: #4 Patrick McKee, Minnesota – tomorrow

Davis, ranked No. 9 at 125, took on Illinois’ Justin Cardani in the first round. Davis battled the Illini even for the opening minute-plus, with each wrestler working the center of the mat. The first period ended in a scoreless tie. Davis chose down to start the second period and, after some work, reversed Cardani to his back to open up a 6-0 lead with :50 left in the second. He led 6-1 after two periods. Cardani forced a scramble that lasted for over a minute before a reset stopped action at :25. Davis zipped in on a low shot for a late takedown and added two nearfall points to roll into the quarterfinals with an 11-1 major decision.

He took on No. 5 Eric Barnett of Wisconsin in the quarterfinals. The duo worked the center of the mat for :30 before a scramble resulted in a Barnett takedown and a 3-0 score. Davis gave up a penalty point on bottom and trailed 4-0 before escaping to a 4-1 score at :41. Trailing 4-1, Davis chose down to start the second period. He scrambled his way into control of Barnett’s right leg and nearly reversed him but settled for an escape and a 4-2 deficit. Davis worked his way in on a low shot and muscled his way to a takedown and two back points as the period ended to take a 7-4 lead. Wisconsin challenged the nearfall and it was overturned. Davis led 5-4 after two but Barnett had 2:25 in riding time. Barnett chose down to start the third period and Davis went to work on top. Davis was hit for a first stall at the 1:18 mark as he tried to work the time edge off. Barnett scrambled for a late reversal to take a 5-4 lead and then Davis reversed the Badger late to take a 7-6 lead with just :11 left. Barnett had riding time and the bout moved to extra time tied 7-7. Early in sudden victory, Davis moved in on a deep single and began working his way to a takedown. A penalty point was awarded to Davis on an illegal hold before the takedown and the Nittany Lion true freshman moved into the semifinals with an 8-7 (sv) win.