UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lions (10-0, 2-0 B1G), ranked No. 1 in the latest InterMat Tournament Power Index (TPI), rolled to a 29-11 win over visiting Indiana (2-2, 0-2 B1G) in sold out Rec Hall on Sunday. The victory was the second Big Ten dual win of the weekend for the Nittany Lions after Friday's shutout win at Maryland.
With a couple top-ranked defending NCAA Champions held out due to illness, Penn State rolled to the victory thank to two key early wins and five straight bouts to close out the dual.
Senior Drew Hildebrandt (Granger, Ind.) made his Rec Hall debut at 125, taking on No. 25 Jacob Moran. Hildebrandt made it two straight to start his Penn State career as he rolled to a 6-2 win over the ranked Hoosier. With No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young (Tucson, Ariz.) not wrestling at 133, sophomore Baylor Shunk (Centre Hall, Pa.) moved up a weight and suffered an 18-3 technical fall loss (5:30) to No. 19 Brock Hudkins.
No. 1 Nick Lee (Evansville, Ind.) was also held out at 141 and junior Brandon Meredith (Limerick, Pa.) moved up a weight for Penn State. Meredith battled No. 26 Cayden Rooks tough but lost 9-4 as the Hoosiers took an 8-3 lead. Sophomore Beau Bartlett (Tempe, Ariz.), ranked No. 20 at 149, got Penn State's second win with a 6-4 victory over Indiana's Graham Rooks. Junior Tony Negron (North Babylon, N.Y.) suffered a 4-1 loss to Derek Gilcher at 157 and the Hoosiers led 11-6 at halftime.
Junior Creighton Edsell (Wyalusing, Pa.), ranked No. 24 at 165, notched the first of five second half wins for Penn State. Edsell rolled to an 11-3 major over Sammy Cokeley to cut the Hoosier lead to 11-10. Sophomore Carter Starocci (Erie, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 174, then put Penn State up for good with a first period pin over Sean Grim at the 2:07 mark. Junior Aaron Brooks (Hagerstown, Md.), ranked No. 1 at 184, dominated No. 8 D.J. Washington in the dual's marquee match-up, posting a 13-4 major decision with 3:31 in riding time.
Junior Max Dean (Lowell, Mich.), ranked No. 2 at 197, kept Penn State rolling with a 9-1 major over Nick Willham, using 1:13 in riding time for the bonus point. Sophomore Greg Kerkvliet (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.), ranked No. 4 at 285, ended the dual with a dominating 20-3 technical fall over Jacob Bullock at the 4:59 mark in the second period. Kerkvliet's win made the final score 29-11 in Penn State's favor.
The Nittany Lions posted a 20-10 advantage in takedowns. The Nittany Lions won seven of ten bouts and picked up eight bonus points off a pin (Starocci), a tech fall (Kerkvliet) and three majors (Edsell, Brooks, Dean). Penn State outscored its two opponents this weekend 75-11, winning 17 of 20 bouts.
Penn State is now 10-0 overall, 2-0 in Big Ten action. Indiana falls to 2-2, 0-2 B1G. Penn State hosts Rutgers next Sunday, Jan. 16, at 5 p.m. in Rec Hall. The dual is an ESPNU national telecast.
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.
#1 Penn State 29, Indiana 11
January 9, 2022 – Rec Hall – University Park, Pa.
125: Drew Hildebrandt PSU dec. #25 Jacob Moran IND, 6-2 3-0
133: #19 Brock Hudkins IND tech fall Baylor Shunk PSU, 18-3 (TF; 5:30) 3-5
141: #26 Cayden Rooks dec. Brandon Meredith PSU, 9-4 3-8
149: #20 Beau Bartlett PSU dec. Graham Rooks IND, 6-4 6-8
157: Derek Gilcher IND dec. Tony Negron PSU, 4-1 6-11
165: #24 Creighton Edsell PSU maj. dec. Sammy Cokeley IND, 11-3 10-11
174: #1 Carter Starocci PSU pinned Sean Grim IND, WBF (2:07) 16-11
184: #1 Aaron Brooks PSU maj. dec. #8 D.J. Washington IND, 13-4 20-11
197: #2 Max Dean PSU maj. dec. Nick Willham IND, 9-1 24-11
285: #4 Greg Kerkvliet PSU tech fall Jacob Bullock IND, 20-3 (TF; 4:59) 29-11
Attendance: 6,265 (58th-straight sellout in Rec Hall, 64th of 66 at home, inc. 6 of 8 in BJC)
Records: Penn State (10-0, 2-0 B1G); Indiana (2-2, 0-2 B1G)
Up Next for Penn State: vs. Rutgers, Sunday, Jan. 16, 5 p.m. in Rec Hall
DUAL MEET BOUT-BY-BOUT:
125: New Nittany Lion Drew Hildebrandt (Granger, Ind.) made his Penn State debut at 125 and met No. 25 Jacob Moran. The duo battled in neutral on the Nittany Lion logo over the first minute plus. Moran worked his way in on a high single at the 1:10 mark but Hildebrandt quickly forced a stalemate and the match resumed in neutral. Hildebrandt rolled through a low single, forcing a scramble that ended in a takedown and a 2-0 lead after one. Moran chose down to start the second period and quickly reversed Hildebrandt to briefly tie the score. But the Lion escaped to a 3-2 lead and went back to work on his feet. Hildebrandt finished the period on his feet with a one-point lead. He chose down to start the final period and quickly gained control of Moran's leg, finishing off a reversal at the 1:50 mark to open up a 5-2 lead. Hildebrandt maintained control of Moran long enough to build his riding time up over 1:00. He finished the period on top and, with 2:01 in riding time, posted the 6-2 win.
133: With No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young (Tucson, Ariz.) held out, sophomore Baylor Shunk (Centre Hall, Pa.) moved up a weight to battle No. 19 Brock Hudkins. Hudkins drew first blood, forcing Shunk's head to the mat and moving behind the Lion for a takedown and an early 2-0 lead. Shunk nearly notched a defensive fall as he rolled his way to an escape, cutting the lead to 2-1 at the 1:50 mark. Hudkins turned a high single into another takedown and a 4-1 lead with 1:05 left in the period. Shunk worked his way to an escape to cut the lad to 4-2, but Hudkins added a third takedown and led 6-2 after one. Hudkins chose down to start the second period and reversed Shunk for an 8-2 lead. He turned the Lion to his back and added four back points for a 12-2 lead. Hudkins added a second turn and Shunk escaped to trail 16-3 after two periods. Shunk chose down to start the third period and got turned for two points, with Hudkins posting the 18-3 tech fall at the 5:30 mark.
141: With No. 1 Nick Lee (Evansville, Ind.) also held out, junior Brandon Meredith (Limerick, Pa.) moved up to take on No. 26 Cayden Rooks. Meredith came and out worked his way into control of Rooks' right ankle, forcing a scramble on the Lion log that ended with the Lion junior finishing off the takedown for a 2-1 lead with 1:50 on the clock. Rooks took a 3-2 lead with a low double with :40 left in the period. Meredith nearly reversed the Hoosier as the period ended but the clock hit 0:00 and Rooks led 3-2 after one. Rooks chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 4-2 lead. Rooks got in on a low single that he turned into a takedown and a 6-2 lead with :25 left in the middle period. Rooks finished on top and led 6-2 after two. Meredith chose down to start the third period and Rooks controlled him to get his riding time up over 1:00. Meredith escaped to a 6-3 score with 1:00 on the clock. He had a quick low shot defended by Rooks and then the Hoosier took an 8-4 lead with another takedown. Rooks added 1:51 in riding time and posted a 9-4 win.
149: Sophomore Beau Bartlett (Tucson, Ariz.), ranked No. 20 at 149, faced off against Graham Rooks. Bartlett set a fast pace. The duo battled evenly over the first minute-plus before Rooks forced a scramble with a low shot in the middle of the mat. Bartlett steadily turned the scramble into a takedown and a 2-0 lead with 1:20 left in the opening period. Bartlett cut Rooks loose and went back to work on offense as the clock hit 1:00. Bartlett led 2-1 after the opening period. Rooks chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 2-2 tie. Bartlett was unable to break through Rooks' defense during period until the final seconds, as the Lion sophomore scored with just :02 on the clock to lead 4-2 after two. Bartlett chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 5-2 lead. Bartlett fought off a Rooks double and forced a stalemate with :30 on the clock. Rooks tied the match with another takedown, but Bartlett was able to escape to a 6-4 lead and held on for the win.
157: Junior Tony Negron (North Babylon, N.Y.) battled Derek Gilcher. Negron fought off a quick Gilcher shot, working his way back to his feet and resetting the match on the Lion logo with 2:30 on the clock. The two wrestlers grappled through the next two minute evenly, with each wrestler taking slight low shots that did not connect. With the bout scoreless after one, Gilcher chose down to start the second period. He escaped after :11 and took a 1-0 lead. Negron tried to connect on a high single, but Gilcher was able to counter for the bout's first points, opening up a 3-0 lead with :50 on the clock. Gilcher finished the period on top and led 3-0 after two periods. Negron chose down to start the third period and Gilcher worked his riding time up over 1:00. Negron escaped to a 3-1 deficit with 1:25 on the clock and Gilcher had 1:31 in riding time. Negron worked his way into control of Gilcher's right ankle, but the Hoosier was able to skip away from the effort with :45 left. Gilcher fought off a final Negron shot and, with 1:31 in riding time, posted the 4-1 win.
165: Junior Creighton Edsell (Wyalusing, Pa.), ranked No. 24 at 165, met senior Sammy Cokeley. Edsell blew through a high double at the 2:30 mark and finished off a takedown for an early 2-1 lead. Edsell set the pace offensively over the next minute, working to break through Cokeley's defense. The Nittany Lion junior turned a high single into takedown and a 4-1 lead with :45 left in the opening period. Edsell controlled the action from the top position as the clock moved below :30 and he finished the period on top to carry the 4-1 lead with 1:01 in time into the second period. Edsell chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 5-1 lead. Cokeley locked Edsell's shoulders and action moved to the mat where Cokeley was awarded a takedown. After a reset, Edsell quickly escaped to a 6-3 lead with 1:10 on the clock. Edsell finished the period in neutral and led 6-3 after two. Cokeley took down to start the third period and Edsell broke the Hoosier down on the Lion logo. He turned Cokeley for four back points to lead 10-3 and moved his riding time point over 1:00. With the riding time point clinched, a stalemate was called with :24 on the clock. Edsell Edsell finished the period on top and, with 2:23 in riding time, rolled to the 11-3 major decision.
174: Sophomore Carter Starocci (Erie, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 174, took on Sean Grim. Starocci scored just seconds into the bout, taking Grim down for an early 2-0 lead. Starocci cut Grim loose and quickly took the Hoosier down again with a low double to open up a 4-2 lead. Starocci lifted Grim off the mat and returned him for a third takedown at the 1:445 mark to lead 6-2. He worked the Hoosier's shoulders to the mat and picked up the pin at the 2:07 mark in the first period.
184: Junior Aaron Brooks (Hagerstown, Md.), ranked No. 1 at 184, battled No. 8 D.J. Washington in the dual's marquee match-ups. Washington notched the bout's first takedown, opening up an early 2-0 lead. Brooks worked his way to his feet and escaped to a 2-1 score with 2:05 on the clock. Brooks then went to work in neutral, forcing Washington backwards for the next minute and then using an ankle pick to take a 3-2 lead with 1:15 remaining in the first period. Brooks finished the period on top and led 3-2 after one with :44 riding time. Brooks chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-2 lead. He then quickly took Washington down again to up his lead to 6-2. He cut Washington loose to a 6-3 score and quickly took him down again to open up an 8-3 lead with well over 1:00 in riding time. Brooks forced Washington into a stall warning and rode him out to lead 8-3 with 1:59 in time after two. Washington chose down to start the third period and Brooks picked up a stall point before cutting Washington loose to a 9-4 score. With the riding time point clinched, Brooks used another ankle pick for a takedown and an 11-4 lead. He picked up another stall point and then spent the next :30 trying to turn the Hoosier for back points. Brooks finished the period on top and, with 3:31 in riding time, rolled to the 13-4 major decision.
197: Junior Max Dean (Lowell, Mich.), ranked No. 2 at 197, met Nick Willham. The duo battled evenly for the first ninety seconds and Dean took a 2-0 lead with a takedown after a long scramble at the 1:10 mark. Dean then went to work on top, building up a sizeable riding time edge as he looked to turn Willham to his back. Dean forced Willham into a stall warning and finished the period on top to lead 2-0 with 1:13 in riding time after one. Dean chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. Dean turned a low shot into another scramble but potentially dangerous halted the action at :50. Dean shot low once more and once again Willham scrambled to a stalemate. The Lion junior carried the 3-0 lead into the third period and Willham chose neutral to start the third period. Dean picked up a stall point and then forced a scramble with another low shot at the 1:00 mark. Dean scrambled through the takedown to open up a 6-0 lead at the :30 mark. Dean cut Willham loose at the :30 mark and secured the major decision with a takedown at the :08 mark, using 1:13 in riding time to post a strong 9-1 major decision.
285: Sophomore Greg Kerkvliet (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.), ranked No. 4 at 285, faced Hoosier Jacob Bullock. Kerkvliet scored just seconds into the bout, blowing through a low double to lead 2-1 after cutting Bullock loose. He took Bullock down once more just seconds after the cut and opened up a 4-1 lead. The turned Bullock for four back points and upped his lead to 8-4 all in the first minute of the bout. Kerkvliet tacked on one more takedown with :50 on the clock to lead 10-2 and forced Bullock into a first stall warning. Leading 10-2 with over 2:00 in riding time, Kerkvliet chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to an 11-3 lead. The Nittany Lion sophomore took Bullock down once more to open up a 13-2 lead then picked up a stall point to lead 14-2 with :55 on the clock. Kerkvliet lifted Bullock off the mat, took him down and then ended the bout with a four-point turn to post a 20-3 tech fall at the 4:59 mark.
