Nittany Lion Wrestler Josh Barr Named B1G Freshman of the Week

UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State Nittany Lion redshirt freshman Josh Barr has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the week ending Dec. 22, 2024. Penn State has now won five weekly awards this season.

Barr blazed his way through the Journeymen Collegiate Duals on Sunday, Dec. 22, in Nashville, Tenn. Barr went 3-0 at 197, helping lead Penn State to a 3-0 dual meet performance as well. Barr began the day with a 19-4 technical fall over Binghamton’s Andrew Bailey, using five first period takedowns and a four-point turn to post the 19-4 tech at 2:40 of the first. Penn State went on to shut out Binghamton 52-0.

He followed that up with a thrilling 4-1 (sv) win over No. 5 Stephen Little of Little Rock in Penn State’s next action. Barr used a takedown early in extra time to grab the win and help secure a 44-0 dual victory over the Trojans. The shutout was Penn State’s third straight on the year. Barr closed out his day with a first period pin of Missouri’s Jesse Cassatt. Barr got the fall at 1:45 to help Penn State to a lopsided 41-3 win over No. 8 Missouri.

Barr is now 7-0 on the year with four pins and a tech fall. PSU improved to 6-0 with the perfect day in Nashville. Previous weekly winners for Penn State this year are as follows: Mitchell Mesenbrink (Wrestler, 11/27); Josh Barr (Freshman, 12/12); Luke Lilledahl (Freshman, 12/18); Beau Bartlett (Wrestler, 12/18). Penn State returns to action on Friday, Jan. 10, when it hosts Michigan State. The Nittany Lions welcome the Spartans to Rec Hall for a Big Ten Network national telecast at 8 p.m. All rankings listed are InterMat/InterMat Team TPI.

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.