NICEVILLE, Fla. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (6-0, 0-0 B1G), ranked No. 2 in the latest InterMat Tournament Power Index (TPI), dominated No. 22 Northern Iowa (0-4) in the first dual meet for the team at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals in Niceville, Fla. Penn State won seven of ten bouts and rolled to a 29-9 win at the event held at Northwestern Florida State College and hosted by Journeymen Wrestling.
The dual began at 125 where senior Jake Campbell (Pottstown, Pa.) lost a hard-fought 2-0 decision to No. 10 Brody Teske of Northern Iowa. Senior Roman Bravo-Young (Tucson, Ariz.), ranked No. 1 at 133, pinned No. 1 Kyle Biscoglia at the 4:34 mark in the second period to give Penn State a 6-3 lead. Senior Nick Lee (Evansville, Ind.), ranked No. 1 at 141, followed that up with a strong 18-4 major (with 3:35 in riding time) over No. 26 Cael Happel.
Sophomore Beau Bartlett (Tempe, Ariz.), ranked No. 22 at 149, used a second period takedown and two escapes to post a thrilling 4-3 win over No. 28 Triston Lara to put Penn State up 13-3. Junior Tony Negron (North Babylon, N.Y.) went at 157 for Penn State and lost a 5-2 decision to Derek Holschlag and the Lions led 13-6 at the dual's midway point.
Junior Creighton Edsell (Wyalusing, Pa.), ranked No. 26 at 165, lost a tough 4-1 decision to No. 23 Austin Yant, his first loss of the season and Penn State's lead was cut to 13-9. Sophomore Carter Starocci (Erie, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 174, controlled UNI's Pat Schoenfelder in a 13-4 major, working up 3:10 in riding time in the process. Junior Aaron Brooks (Hagerstown, Md.), ranked No. 1 at 184, then used a second period takedown and an escaped to post a thrilling 3-2 win over No. 4 Parker Kekeisen in the dual's marquee match-up.
Junior Max Dean (Lowell, Mich.), ranked No. 3 at 197, used five takedowns and a couple turns to roll to a 19-3 tech fall over Noah Glasser at the 5:21 mark to put Penn State up 25-9. Sophomore Greg Kerkvliet (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.), ranked No. 4 at 285, built up over 4:00 in riding time against Uni's Tyrell Gordon on his way to a 12-1 major to close out the dual meet. Kerkvliet's major made the dual final 29-9 for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State rolled up a 25-3 lead in takedowns in the dual while winning seven of ten bouts. The Nittany Lions picked up eight bonus points off a pin (Bravo-Young), a tech fall (Dean) and three majors (Lee, Starocci, Kerkvliet).
Three extra matches were contested after completion of the dual meet. While the bouts do not count towards the dual's score, they are official NCAA matches. Michael Beard posted an 18-3 tech fall over Central Michigan's Cade Dallwitz at the 2:43 mark, Baylor Shunk posted a 9-5 win over CMU's Sean Spidle, and Brandon Meredith posted an 8-3 win over UNI's Jack Wagner.
Penn State is now 6-0 overall while Northern Iowa falls to 0-4. The Nittany Lions will now battle Cornell immediately (8 p.m. Eastern). Penn State will then have one dual on Tuesday, Dec. 21, opponent and time to be determined. Penn State opens up Big Ten action on Friday, Jan. 7, when the Nittany Lions visit the Maryland Terrapins for a 7 p.m. dual in College Park, Md.
All rankings listed by Penn State wrestling are InterMat individual and team TPI. The 2021-22 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline. 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.
#2 Penn State 29, #22 Northern Iowa 9
December 20, 2021 – Niceville, Fla.
125: #10 Brody Teske UNI dec. Jake Campbell PSU, 2-0 0-3
133: #1 Roman Bravo-Young PSU pinned #31 Kyle Biscoglia UNI, WBF (4:34) 6-3
141: #1 Nick Lee PSU maj. dec. #26 Cael Happel UNI, 18-4 10-3
149: #22 Beau Bartlett PSU dec. #28 Triston Lara UNI, 4-3 13-3
157: Derek Holschlag UNI dec. Tony Negron PSU, 5-2 13-6
165: #23 Austin Yant UNI dec. #26 Creighton Edsell PSU, 4-1 13-9
174: #1 Carter Starocci PSU maj. dec. Pat Schoenfelder UNI, 13-4 17-9
184: #1 Aaron Brooks PSU dec. #4 parker Keckeisen UNI, 3-2 20-9
197: #3 Max Dean PSU tech fall Noah Glaser UNI, 19-3 (TF; 5:21) 25-9
285: #4 Greg Kerkvliet PSU maj. dec. Tyrell Gordon UNI, 12-1 29-9
Extra bouts (official NCAA contests, do not count in dual score):1
125: Baylor Shunk PSU dec. Sean Spidle CMU, 9-5
133: Brandon Meredith PSU dec. Jack Wagner UNI, 8-3
197: Michael Beard PSU tech fall Cade Dallwitz CMU, 18-3 (2:43)
Records: Penn State (6-0, 0-0 B1G); Northern Iowa (0-4)
Up Next for Penn State: vs. #9 Cornell, 8 p.m. tonight
DUAL MEET BOUT-BY-BOUT:
125: Senior Jake Campbell (Pottstown, Pa.) took to the mat at 125 and battled on No. 10 Brody Teske of Northern Iowa. The duo battled through a scoreless first minute. Teske worked Campbell's shoulders to the mat and Campbell countered with a low single that the Panther stepped back from. With the clock moving under 1:00, action returned to the center circle as Campbell kept action in neutral. The first period ended in a scoreless tie. Teske chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Campbell got hit for a first stall warning at the 1:06 mark, trailing by one. Teske continued to press Campbell towards the outside circle and the Lion trailed 1-0 after two. Campbell chose down to start the third period. The Lion was unable to break free of a strong Panther ride as the clock moved below the 1:00 mark. Teske worked his riding time edge over 1:00 and continued the period on top, posting the 2-0 win.
133: Senior Roman Bravo-Young (Tucson, Ariz.), ranked No. 1 at 133, battled No. 31 Kyle Biscoglia. Bravo-Young fought off two early Panther shots to keep the bout scoreless at the midway point of the first period. Bravo-Young notched the first takedown of the bout at the 1:06 mark and took a 2-1 lead after a Biscoglia escape. He used a slick move as the first period ended for a second takedown and carried a 4-1 lead into the second. Bravo-Young chose down to start the second period. He worked his way to his feet, picked up an escape and then slid by for a takedown and a 7-1 lead with 1:20 on the clock. He worked his way into control of Happel and turned the Panther to his back for a fall at the 4:34 mark.
141: Senior Nick Lee (Evansville, Ind.), ranked No. 1 at 141, met No. 26 Cael Happel. Lee quickly took Happel down to open up a 2-1 lead early. He moved in for a quick second takedown and a 4-1 lead, and then went to work on top, building up over 1:00 in riding time as he looked for a chance to turn Happel for back points. Happel picked up a stall warning at the 1:00 mark while Lee continued to dominate the action on top. He turned Happel for four back points and an 8-1 lead with :40 left and finished the period on top. Lee chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 9-1 lead. Lee notched his third takedown with 1:30 on the clock, cut Happel loose and moved in on offense again, notching another a takedown with 1:12 left to lead 13-2. Lee finished the period on top and led 13-2 with a clinched point (3:35) after two. Happel chose neutral to start the third period. Lee quickly picked up two takedowns and led 17-3 at the 1:20 mark. Lee finished the bout with an 18-4 major with 3:35 in riding time.
149: Sophomore Beau Bartlett (Tempe, Ariz.), ranked No. 22 at 149, met No. 28 Triston Lara. The duo battled through a scoreless first period, with neither wrestler threatening on offense as action in the center circle was contested in neutral. Lara chose down to start the second period and quickly worked his way to a reversal and a 2-0 lead. Bartlett escaped seconds late rand then blew through a strong high double to take a 3-2 lead with 1:24 on the clock. Lara escaped to a 3-3 tie at the 1:15 mark and action resumed in neutral. Neither wrestler threatened on offense and the match moved to the third period tied 3-3. Bartlett chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 4-3 lead. The Lion sophomore stepped away from two quick Lara shots and managed the middle of the mat on his feet. As the clock moved down to the :40 mark, Bartlett nearly connected on a counter shot with :20. He fought off a late Lara flurry and posted the hard-fought 4-3 win.
157: Junior Tony Negron (North Babylon, N.Y.) got the nod at 157 and met Derek Holschlag. Holschlag worked his way in on a high double at the 2:20 mark but Negron deftly moved through the action and nearly notched a counter takedown. The Panther fought off the Lion's efforts and action was stopped with 1:12 on the clock, still tied 0-0. With the first period clock moving down to :30, Negron nearly turned a low single into a takedown, but Holschlag was able to move out of bounds and the match moved to the second period tied 0-0. Holschlag chose down to start the second period and Negron worked his way into a cross-faced cradle, looking to turn the Panther for back points. But Holschlag was able to fight off the move and forced a stalemate with 1:15 left in the period. Negron maintained control of the Panther long enough to build up 1:10 in riding time before he escaped to a 1-0 lead. Negron forced a scramble as the period ended but neither wrestler gained control and the Lion trailed by one after two. Negron chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie, maintaining his 1:06 riding time edge as well. Holschlag worked a low shot into a takedown and a 3-1 lead. The Lion escaped to a 3-2 score and turned in on offense. But Holschlag added another takedown and opened up a 5-2 lead. Holschlag finished the bout in neutral and Negron dropped the 5-2 decision.
166: Junior Creighton Edsell (Wyalusing, Pa.), ranked No. 26 at 165, met No. 23 Austin Yant. The duo battle evenly for the opening two minutes-plus, with Edsell taking numerous high shots that Yant was able to step away from. With the first period ending in a 0-0 tie, Edsell chose down to start the second period. Edsell steadily worked his way into control of Yant's right ankle, moved up to his feet and got the escape to lead 1-0 at the 1:22 mark of the second period. Yant moved around behind Edsell on the edge of the mat to take a 2-1 lead with a takedown at the :40 mark. Edsell was unable to escape and Yant finished the period on top to lead 2-1 with 1:14 in time after two periods. Yant chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead while maintaining over 1:00 in riding time. Edsell was unable to connect on offense as the clock moved below 1:00. With :58 on the clock. Edsell took a low shot, worked his way into a takedown. AS the clock moved to :10, Yant was able to tie up Edsell's legs and force a stalemate. Edsell dropped his first bout of the year, a 4-1 decision to Yant.
174: Sophomore Carter Starocci (Erie, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 174, faced off against Pat Schoenfelder. Starocci scored quickly, taking the Panther down for an early 2-0 lead just second into the bout. Starocci build up over 1:00 in time with as strong ride, looking to turn Schoenfelder for back points. He cut the Panther loose at the 1:30 mark and went back to work in neutral. Starocci too his foe down nearly picked up back points with :55 on the clock but action moved out of bounds and Starocci led 4-2 after a Schoenfelder escape. Starocci added a third takedown and led 6-2 after one. Starocci chose down to start the second period, quickly escaped, and then took Schoenfelder down again to open up a 9-2 lead with 1:10 on the clock. Starocci added one more takedown and led 11-3 with over 2:00 in time after two periods. Starocci added a final takedown and 3:10 in riding time to roll to the 13-4 major decision.
184: Junior Aaron Brooks (Hagerstown, Md.), ranked No. 1 at 184, wrestled No. 4 Parker Keckeisen in the dual's marquee match-up. Brooks fought off an early Keckeisen shot at the 2:20 mark to keep the bout scoreless early on. The highly ranked duo worked the center circle for the next two minutes. Brooks fought off another late Panther shot, and the bout moved to the second period tied 0-0. Keckeisen chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Keckeisen got in deep on another low single and Brooks worked his way out of bounds to fight off the takedown and force a reset. Brooks got hit for stalling at the 1:10 mark and then turned a high single into a takedown and a 2-1 lead with :30 on the clock. After a reset with :24 left, Keckeisen escaped to a 2-2 tie, a score that carried into the third period. Brooks chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 3-2 lead. Brooks forced Keckeisen backwards with four straight shots, but no stall warning was given on the Panther. Brooks worked the center circle as the clock moved below the 1:00 mark. Brooks continued to shoot as the clock hit the :30 mark. Brooks finished the bout in neutral and posted the hard-fought 3-2 win.
197: Junior Max Dean (Lowell, Mich.), ranked No. 3 at 197, met Noah Glaser. Dean scored quickly, taking Glaser down for a 2-0 lead just seconds into the bout. He spent a minute looking for a chance to turn the Panther for back points. With 1:32 in riding time, he rolled Glaser for a four-point turn and led 6-0 at the 1:10 mark. Dean finished the period on top and led 6-0 with 2:48 in riding time after one. Dean chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 7-0 lead. Dean added another takedown and cut Glaser loose to lead 9-1. He added another takedown, then countered for another, and led 13-3 at the :30 mark. Dean finished the period with another takedown and led 15-3 with over 3:00 in time after two. Glaser chose down to start the third period and Dean quickly turned him for four points and finished off a 19-3 tech fall at the 5:21 mark.
285: Sophomore Greg Kerkvliet (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.), ranked No. 4 at 285, faced Tyrell Gordon. Kerkvliet fought off an early Gordon shot, settled in on offense, and took a 2-0 lead at the 2:00 mark with a takedown. He worked his way to a cradle and turned Gordon for four back points and a 6-0 lead with :25 on the clock. Kerkvliet finished the period on top and led 6-0 after one with 2:00 in riding time. Kerkvliet chose down to start the second period and quickly rolled to an escaped and a 7-0 lead. Kerkvliet stepped back from a Gordon shot, lifted the Panther's leg up and notched another takedown on the edge of the mat with 0:47 left in the period. Kerkvliet finished the period on top and led 9-0 with 2:34 in riding time after two periods. Gordon chose down to start the third period and Kerkvliet dominated the action on top. He clinched his riding time point before Gordon escaped to a 9-1 score at the :48 mark. Kerkvliet added one more takedown and 4:04 in riding time to post the 12-1 major decision.
