UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0, 1-0 B1G), ranked No. 3 in the latest InterMat Tournament Power Index, posted a 24-15 win over Indiana (0-3, 0-3 B1G) in the 2020-21 season opener for head coach Cael Sanderson's squad. The dual was the first of a tri-meet hosted by Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
The dual began at 125 where Indiana's Jacob Moran received a forfeit victory. Penn State had no 125-pounders cleared to compete this weekend. Junior Roman Bravo-Young (Tucson, Ariz.), ranked No. 3 at 133, got Penn State on the board with an 11-8 win over Kyle Luigs, cutting the Hoosier lead to 6-3. Senior Nick Lee (Evansville, Ind.), ranked No. 2 at 141, dominated Cayden Rooks en route to a 16-1 technical fall at the end off the second period (5:00). Lee's win put Penn State up 8-6.
Junior Jarod Verkleeren (Greensburg, Pa.), ranked No. 10 at 149, suffered a 4-3 upset loss to Hoosier Graham Rooks at 149 and Indiana retook the lead 9-8. Junior Brady Berge (Mantorville, Minn.), ranked No. 11 at 157, gave Penn State the lead with a 5-2 victory over Matt Ortiz. Penn State led 11-9 at the dual's halfway point.
Freshman Joe Lee (Evansville, Ind.), ranked No. 6 at 165, made his Penn State dual debut and posted an 8-4 win over Nick South to put the Lions up 14-9. Freshman Carter Starocci (Erie, Pa.), ranked No. 5 at 174, made his Lion dual debut and dropped a 10-9 upset loss to Donnell Washington. Starocci fell behind 10-1 early and nearly stormed back for the win before time ran out in his debut. Sophomore Aaron Brooks (Hagerstown, Md.), ranked No. 3 at 184, was dominant, rolling to an 18-5 major with 4:40 in riding time over Drayton Harris. Brooks' win put Penn State up 18-12.
With No. 13 Michael Beard (Pottstown, Pa.) not competing this weekend, Levko Higgins (Palmyra, Pa.) made his Lion debut at 197 and dropped a 10-3 decision to Nick Willham. Willham's victory cut Penn State's lead to 18-15. Sophomore Seth Nevills (Clovis, Calif.) closed out the dual with a bang at 285. The Lion big man pinned IU's Rudy Streck at the 1:14 mark to cement Penn State's victory, getting the quick fall and finalizing a 24-15 win for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State posted a 21-8 edge in takedowns in the bout. The Nittany Lions won six of ten bouts and picked up six bonus points off a pin (Nevills), a tech fall (Nick Lee) and a major (Brooks). Indiana had three bonus points off the forfeit at 125.
Seven extra matches were conducted during the dual meet on a separate mat. This year, with condensed schedules, these extra matches, while not counting towards dual meet scores, are official varsity bouts and count towards NCAA competition minimums. Starocci opened up the extra bouts with an 18-1 tech fall over Robert Detars at the 2:37 mark, giving the Lion freshman a 1-1 mark on the day. True freshman Beau Bartlett (Tempe, Ariz.) made his collegiate debut in the extra bouts, pinning Jacob Moran in just 1:48 at 141.
Luke Gardner (Pottsville, Pa.) pinned Jonathan Kervin at the 0:56 mark at 149 and Terrell Barraclough (Kaysville, Utah) posted an 8-0 major over Kervin at 149 as well. Konner Kraeszig (Louisville, Ky.) picked up two wins at 165, a 9-0 major over Derek Gilcher and a 13-7 decision over Sammy Cokeley. Creighton Edsell (Wyalusing, Pa.) picked up a 10-5 decision over Detars at 174.
Penn State is now 1-0 on the year, 1-0 in Big Ten action. Indiana falls to 0-3, all conference duals as well. The Nittany Lions will take on host Northwestern in the final bout of today's tri-meet at 4 p.m. Eastern (3 p.m. Central/local).
Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via 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.
#3 Penn State 24, Indiana 15
January 30, 2021 – at Northwestern University – Evanston, Ill.
125: Jacob Warner IND win by forfeit 0-6
133: #3 Roman Bravo-Young PSU dec. Kyle Luigs IND, 11-8 3-6
141: #2 Nick Lee PSU tech fall Cayden Rooks IND, 16-1 (TF; 5:00) 8-6
149: Graham Rooks IND dec. #10 Jarod Verkleeren PSU, 4-3 8-9
157: #11 Brady Berge PSU dec. Matt Ortiz IND, 5-2 11-9
165: #6 Joe Lee PSU dec. Nick South IND, 8-4 14-9
174: Donnell Washington IND dec. #5 Carter Starocci PSU, 10-9 14-12
184: #3 Aaron Brooks PSU maj. dec. Drayton Harris IND, 18-5 18-12
197: Nick Willham IND dec. Levko Higgins PSU, 10-3 18-15
285: Seth Nevills PSU pinned Rudy Streck IND, WBF (1:14) 24-15
Records: Penn State (1-0, 1-0 B1G; Indiana (0-3, 0-3 B1G)
Up Next for Penn State: vs. Northwestern, today, 4 p.m. Eastern
Extra Matches:
174: Carter Starocci PSU tech fall Robert Detars IND, 18-1 (TF; 2:37)
149: Luke Gardner PSU pinned Jonathan Kervin IND, WBF (0:56)
165: Konner Kraeszig PSU maj. dec. Derek Gilcher IND, 9-0
141: Beau Bartlett PSU pinned Jacob Moran IND, WBF (1:48)
149: Terrell Barraclough PSU maj. dec. Jonathan Kervin IND, 8-0
174: Creighton Edsell PSU dec. Robert Detars IND, 10-5
165: Konner Kraeszig PSU dec. Sammy Cokely IND, 13-7
DUAL MEET BOUT-BY-BOUT:
125: Penn State did not have a 125-pounder cleared to compete this weekend and Indiana's Jacob Warner won by forfeit.
133: Junior Roman Bravo-Young (Tucson, Ariz.), ranked No. 3 by InterMat, took on Indiana's Kyle Luigs. Bravo-Young got the bout started with a quick takedown to open up an early 2-1 lead. Bravo-Young fought off a slight Luigs shot to keep action in neutral, then slid around on a low single for a second takedown to open up a 4-1 lead with 1:00 on the clock. The Lion junior maintained control until :15 was left in the period and led 4-2 with :49 in riding time after the opening period. Luigs chose down to start the second period. Bravo-Young maintained control long enough to build up over a minute in riding time. The Lion junior cut Luigs loose to a 4-3 score with 1:21 on the clock. Bravo-Young picked up a third takedown with 1:04 left and opened up a 6-3 lead with nearly 2:00 in riding time. Bravo-Young nearly added a fourth takedown but the Hoosier fought off the effort and Bravo-Young led 6-4 with 1:48 in riding time after two periods. Bravo-Young chose neutral to start the third period and quickly used a double leg to take Luigs down again to lead 8-5. Luigs got in on a high shot but Bravo-Young countered the effort and upped his lead to 10-5 with a nice counter takedown. With his riding time point assured, Bravo-Young cut Luigs loose. But Luigs closed out the bout with his first takedown to keep Bravo-Young to a regular 11-8 decision with 1:57 in riding time.
141: Senior Nick Lee (Evansville, Ind.), ranked No. 2 at 141, took on Indiana's Caydon Rooks. Lee took Rooks down quickly for a fast 2-0 lead. He then tried to tilt Rooks but the Hoosier fought off the effort and Lee cut him loose. Lee quickly blew through a low single for a second takedown and a 4-1 lead with 1:54 on the clock. Lee once again tried to turn Rooks for back points but Rooks was able to roll through the move and keep the score at 4-1. With 1:30 in riding time, Lee then turned Rooks to his back, locking up a headlock for four back points and an 8-4 lead. He turned Rooks for two near fall points and led 10-1 after one. Lee chose down to start the second period and steadily worked his way to a reversal on the edge of the mat to open up a 12-1 lead. Lee worked his riding time to 2:30 while trying to turn Rooks one more time. Lee finished the period, and match, by turning Rooks for four final back points to post a 16-1 technical fall at the 5:00 mark.
149: Junior Jarod Verkleeren (Greensburg, Pa.), ranked No, 10 at 149, met Graham Rooks. Rooks instigated an early scramble that Verkleeren spent nearly :30 fighting off before action moved out of bounds. Verkleeren fought off another low Rooks shot and worked his way into a stalemate with 1:00 left in the period. The duo battle evenly as the clock moved below :30 and Rooks forced Verkleeren into a first stall warning as the period ended. Verkleeren chose down to start the second period and quickly turned into a shoulder throw, taking Rooks to his back, and nearly picking up back points but settling for a reversal and a 2-0 lead. Rooks escaped to a 2-1 score with 1:03 left in the period. Verkleeren took a low shot, forcing a scramble that ended with the Lion lifting Rooks' left leg to his hip as he tried to finish off a takedown late in the period. But Rooks was able to fight off the effort and Verkleeren led 2-1 after two periods. Rooks chose down to start the third period and worked his way to his feet and an escape to tie the bout at 2-2 with 1:33 left in the match-up. Rooks was awarded a takedown on a scramble near the outside circle that turned out to be the difference in a 4-3 Indiana victory.
157: Junior Brady Berge (Mantorville, Minn.), ranked No. 11 at 157, faced Matt Ortiz. Berge scored quickly, snapping down on a low shot to open up a 2-0 lead just :45 into the bout. Berge maintained control of the bout for :30 before Ortiz escaped to a 2-1 score. The duo battled on their feet as the clock moved down below the 1:00 mark. Berge fought off a slight Ortiz shot then moved back to the middle of the mat to set up his offense. The Lion junior could not work through Ortiz's defense and Berge led 2-1 after one period. Ortiz chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 2-2 tie with Berge owning :47 in riding time. Berge pressed his offense, forcing Ortiz towards the outside circle where action moved out of bounds with 1:12 on the clock. The remainder of the period was wrestled in neutral and Berge and Ortiz were tied 2-2 after two. Berge chose down to start the third period and worked his way to his feet and an escape with 1:30 on the clock. Leading 3-2, Berge kept action in the center of the mat, jockeying for position as he looked for an opening on offense. He used a fast single to force a scramble that worked the clock to the :23 mark before a potentially dangerous call halted action. Berge nearly picked up another takedown with :20 on the clock. Berge pickled up the takedown as the duo rolled out of bounds and Indiana challenged the takedown. The call stood and Berge led 5-2 with :17 left. Berge finished the bout on top and posted a 5-2 win.
165: Freshman Joe Lee (Evansville, Ind.), ranked No. 6 at 165, made his Penn State dual debut against Nick South. Lee picked up a quick takedown to open up an early 2-0 lead. South escaped to a 2-1 score as the clock hit 2:20. Lee continued to move into South's face, setting a fast offensive pace. Lee controlled the pace, forcing South into a first stall at the :35 mark. South took a shot with :25 on the clock and Lee nearly locked up a counter cradle but the action moved out of bounds and Lee carried the 2-1 lead into the second period. Lee chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead. Lee notched his second takedown with 1:30 on the clock and worked his way into a chance to throw the Hoosier. But South was able to fight off the effort. Lee continued to pressure South as his riding time moved near 1:00. South escaped to a 5-2 score and nearly took Lee down with a scrambling move that the Lion freshman was able to fight off. Lee led 5-2 after two periods. South chose down to start the final stanza. Lee controlled action long enough to build up a 1:06 riding time edge before South escaped to a 5-3 Lee lead. Lee then moved his way into a low shot that led to a takedown and a 7-3 lead. Lee maintained control until the 1:00 mark before South escaped to a 7-4 score with Lee getting a stall warning in the process. With :30 left, Lee fought off a late South shot and then nearly scored on a late counter but settled for a strong 8-4 win with 1:24 in riding time.
174: Freshman Carter Starocci (Erie, Pa.), ranked No. 5 at 174, made his Nittany Lion dual meet debut against Donnell Washington. Washington shocked Starocci on the edge of the mat by throwing the Lion freshman for a takedown and four back points to open up a 6-0 lead early in the first period. Starocci escaped to a 6-1 score and immediately moved in on offense, looking to cut into Washington's lead. Washington, however, notched the next takedown and opened up an 8-1 lead. Starocci gave up two late back points and trailed 10-1 after the opening period. Washington chose down to start the second period and cut Washington's riding time edge down below 1:00. Starocci spent over 1:00 working to turn Washington for back points to cut into Washington's lead. He picked up a stall point, then turned Washington for two back points to cut the lead to 10-4. The Lion freshman then added four back points as the period ended and cut the 10-1 lead to 10-8 after two periods. Starocci chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 10-9 deficit. Starocci forced Washington out of bounds twice but did not get the stall call to tie the bout as the clock hit :45. With :22 left and a reset called, Starocci continued to force Washington backwards but the Hoosier was able to kill the clock with defense and Starocci dropped a 10-9 decision in his Penn State debut.
184: Sophomore Aaron Brooks (Hagerstown, Md.), ranked No. 3 at 184, met Indiana's Drayton Harris. Brooks scored quickly to open up an early 2-0 lead. The Lion sophomore then worked his riding time edge upwards before Harris escaped to a 2-1 score. Brooks then immediately worked his way into a low shot and a second takedown and a 4-1 lead. The Lion maintained his offensive position for the remainder of the period and led 4-1 with 2:12 in riding time after one. Brooks chose down to start the second period, quickly escaped and then took Harris down for a 7-1 lead. Harris escaped to a 7-2 score before Brooks used a low double to open up a 9-2 lead with :52 on the clock. He finished the period on top and led 9-2 with 3:21 in riding time after two. Harris chose neutral to start the third period and Brooks quickly took him down for an 11-2 lead. With his riding time pushing 4:00, Brooks cut Harris loose to an 11-3 lead, then took him down again to up his lead to 11-3. Brooks finished the bout with two more takedowns and rolled to an 18-5 major decision with 4:40 in riding time.
197: Nittany Lion Levko Higgins took on Indiana's Nick Willham at 197 as Lion freshman Michael Beard (Pottstown, Pa.), ranked No. 13 nationally, was not cleared to compete. Higgins was making his Penn State dual debut. Higgins got in on a shot that Willham fought off at the 2:30 mark. The duo traded shots over the next minute with neither wrestler able to break through on offense and the clock moved below the 1:00 mark with the bout tied 0-0. Willham broke into the scoring column with a late takedown on the edge of the amt to lead 2-0 after the first period. Willham chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. Willham then added a second takedown before Higgins escaped to a 5-1 score. Higgins used a solid shot to force a scramble but Willham was able to fight the move off and the clock moved down below 1:00. Willham added a late takedown in the period and led 7-1 after two periods. Higgins chose down to start the third period. He worked his way to an escape but Willham added another takedown and upped his lead to 9-2 with over 1:00 in riding time. Willham worked offensive control into a clinched riding time point. Higgins scrambled his way to a late takedown, however, to keep from giving up a major decision and dropped a hard-fought 10-3 decision.
285: Sophomore Seth Nevills (Clovis, Calif.) took on IU's Rudy Streck. Nevills wasted no time opening up an early lead. He used a quick low shot to take Streck down for a 2-0 lead. The Lion then put together a strong ride, building up his riding time up over 1:00 while looking to turn Streck to his back. Nevills worked arm control into
