Two years ago, three-time state medalist Creighton Edsell was just one of roughly 80 students graduating from his small Wyalusing High School. But this past Sunday, Edsell made his collegiate debut under the sweltering lights of a sold-out Rec Hall with nearly 6,500 fans chanting his name.
Starting in place of second-ranked Shakur Rasheed at 184 pounds, Edsell, a redshirt freshman, beat Navy's Andrew Buckley in a 5-2 decision at Penn State's season-opening dual meet.
"He's only going to continue to climb from here," head coach Cael Sanderson said. "I think he did a nice job with his first match at Rec Hall, as a freshman, up a weight class against a tough opponent."
Edsell caught word of the potential substitution around a month prior to the Navy dual.
Though the initial shock of debuting at Rec Hall as a freshman sounded daunting to the billed 174-pounder, Edsell said he and the other wrestlers are always trained by coaches to be ready to take advantage of any opportunities to wrestle. In his preparation, Edsell bumped up a weight class, proving his flexibility as a contender for a starting position in future matches to come.
"[He] prepared for this," Sanderson said. "We're just getting started and there's a lot of matches ahead. The matches are just getting bigger, so the opportunities will keep coming and (Edsell will) have a chance to take advantage of them."
Edsell's battle with Buckley kept the Rec Hall crowd on the edge of their seats as the clock wound down to the very last seconds of the bout. It was an even tie of 0-0 until Edsell forged ahead with a takedown midway through the second period. Buckley earned two escapes in total, but not before Edsell escaped from defense and ended the match with a late counter takedown. He walked off the mat with a 5-2 win over the 184-pound junior under his belt.
"It's definitely an awesome feeling and definitely very energetic," Edsell said. "Just something I've never really felt before. I mean, I come from a really small town, so I didn't really have that back where I was from."
After soaking in the roar of the crowd and the excitement of pulling the Lions to a score of 29-0 ahead of Navy, Edsell said he was congratulated and offered advice by Rasheed. Many fans thought the No. 3-ranked sixth year would be the obvious contender for the spot, but he instead watched from the sidelines to nurse a prior injury.
Out last year with a shoulder injury, Edsell's debut was the first time he had stepped foot on a mat to compete since his high school days, when he finished his career off placing fourth at states as a senior.
"I had nothing to lose," Edsell said. "Nobody knew I was even supposed to be out there, so I was happy and grateful that I had an opportunity kids would dream to have."
In high school, Edsell said he researched some of the older, more experienced wrestlers that've gone through Penn State's wrestling program. His own personal goal before he graduates is to take home a NCAA individual title. His biggest wrestling role model, however, typically sits on the side of the mat watching, critiquing and ultimately is responsible for turning wrestlers into champions: Sanderson.
"Coach Cael has really had a big impact on me," Edsell said. "He's taught me a lot about things in life in general, on and off the mat. I looked up to these guys in high school and now to be able to train with them is a blessing."
In addition to Edsell's debut three additional Nittany Lions making their first appearance in the 42-0 victory: Kent State transfer Kyle Conel at 197 pounds, redshirt freshman Brody Teske at 125 and junior Luke Gardner at 149. The team closed out the ten bouts with four pins, a major, a tech fall and four decisions.
"Generally, it's a lot easier to build off success, so these guys did a nice job," Sanderson said. "More than anything it's about getting started, so we know where we're at because practice and competitions are a lot different."
Penn State will next compete Nov. 17 at the Army West Point Invite, where the competition is set to start at 10 a.m. Edsell will most likely continue his streak at 184 pounds as Rasheed's replacement for the one-day tournament.
"You should be seeing me probably," Edsell said. "Coach Cael's always telling me to be ready, so that's what I'm focusing on and just getting better every day."
