THIS WEEK'S ACTION:
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State (10-0, 3-0 B1G) will host Iowa (12-0, 5-0 B1G) on Friday, Jan. 27, in the second BJC Dual of the year for head coach Cael Sanderson's squad. The Nittany Lions and Hawkeyes face off at 8:30 p.m. in another B1G Network national telecast in the Jordan Center. This is Iowa's first trip to Penn State since the 2017-18 season.
Penn State is coming off a superb two-win weekend in State College. The Nittany Lions dominated Michigan 30-8 in the first BJC Dual of the season last Friday, winning eight of ten matches including three from freshmen Shayne Van Ness (149), Levi Haines (157) and Alex Facundo (165). Two days later, the Lions took care of Michigan State in Rec Hall, 34-6. Penn State also won eight against the Spartans, including three from freshmen Gary Steen (125), Shayne Van Ness (149) and Alex Facundo (165). Penn State improved to 10-0, 3-0 B1G with the home wins.
The Lion line-up, which could feature four freshmen, begins with freshman Gary Steen, who is 5-9 at 125. Roman Bravo-Young is ranked No. 1 at 133 with a 9-0 mark. Beau Bartlett is ranked No. 4 at 141 and is 14-0 on the year. Freshman Shayne Van Ness is ranked No. 13 at 149 and is 11-2. Freshman Levi Haines is 12-1 and ranked No. 9 at 157 while Terrell Barraclough sports a 6-3 mark at that weight. Freshman Alex Facundo is ranked No. 5 at 165 and is 11-1. Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, is 10-0 on the year. Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 184, is 6-1. Max Dean is 12-2 and ranked No. 4 at 197 and Greg Kerkvliet is ranked No. 2 at 285 with an 8-1 mark.
Iowa enters the dual with a 12-0 record, 5-0 in the Big Ten. Iowa could send a line-up of ten ranked wrestlers onto the stage in the BJC. Spencer Lee is ranked No. 1 at 125 and Brody Teske is ranked No. 17 at 133. Real Woods is ranked No. 2 at 141 and Max Murin is ranked No. 7 at 149. Cobe Siebrecht is ranked No. 15 at 157 and Patrick Kennedy is ranked No. 13 at 165. Nelson Brands is ranked No. 16 at 174 and Abe Assad is ranked No. 12 at 184. Jacob Warner is ranked No. 7 at 197 and Tony Cassioppi is ranked No. 3 at 285. The Hawkeyes lead the all-time series 28-11-2. Penn State won last year, 19-13 on Jan. 28, 2022, in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Penn State has won three of the last four meetings.
The Nittany Lions hit the road for two duals next weekend. Penn State is at Ohio State on Friday, Feb. 3, for a 7 p.m. meeting and at Indiana on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 1 p.m.
All rankings listed are InterMat individual/InterMat TPI. The 2022-23 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.
PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (10-0, 3-0 B1G)
125 Gary Steen Fr. Hermitage, Pa./Reynolds 5-9
133 #1 Roman Bravo-Young Sr.+ Tucson, Ariz./Sunnyside 9-0
141 #4 Beau Bartlett Jr. Tempe, Ariz./Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) 14-0
149 #13 Shayne Van Ness Fr. Somerville, N.J./Blair Academy 11-2
157 #9 Levi Haines Fr. Arendtsville, Pa./Biglerville 12-1
Terrell Barraclough Jr. Kaysville, Utah/Layton 6-3
165 #5 Alex Facundo Fr. Essexville, Mich./Davison 11-1
174 #1 Carter Starocci Jr. Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep 10-0
184 #1 Aaron Brooks Sr. Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown 6-1
197 #4 Max Dean Sr. Lowell, Mich./Lowell 12-2
285 #2 Greg Kerkvliet Jr. Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley 8-1
IOWA HAWKEYES (12-0, 5-0 B1G)
125 #1 Spencer Lee Sr. Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional 10-0
133 #17 Brody Teske Jr. Duncombe, Iowa/Fort Dodge 4-0
141 #2 Real Woods Sr. Albuquerque, N.M./Montini Catholic (Ill.) 9-0
149 #7 Max Murin Sr. Ebensburg, Pa./Central Cambria 13-3
157 #15 Cobe Siebrecht Fr. Lisbon, Iowa/Lisbon 8-2
165 #13 Patrick Kennedy So. Kasson Mantorville, Minn./Kasson-Mantorville 12-2
174 #16 Nelson Brands Sr. Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City West 4-3
184 #12 Abe Assad Jr. Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North 14-2
197 #7 Jacob Warner Sr. Tolono, Ill./Washington Community 11-2
285 #3 Tony Cassioppi Sr. Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah 16-0
Individual Rankings listed are InterMat and Team Rankings are
Intermat Tournament Power Index (as of 1/24/23)
THIS WEEK
Penn State (10-0, 3-0 B1G) welcomes Iowa (12-0, 5-0 B1G) to the Bryce Jordan Center for the second BJC Dual of the season. The Nittany Lions and Hawkeyes meet at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, in a B1G Network national telecast.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions head to Ohio State on Friday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. and then visit Indiana on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 1 p.m.
ON THE AIR
TV - B1G Network
Radio online - Free all year via Lionvision at GoPSUsports.com
Live Web Video - None
FRESHMEN STEEN, VAN NESS AND FACUNDO LEAD PENN STATE TO 34-6 WIN OVER MICHIGAN STATE
Two days after three Nittany Lion freshmen won against Michigan, Penn State got a trio of wins out of the rookie class again. This time, Gary Steen (125), Shayne Van Ness (149) and Alex Facundo (165) came up with the victories (Levi Haines did not wrestle in the dual). Steen began the dual by picking up his first Big Ten dual meet victory, a thrilling 3-1 (sv) triumph over #24 Tristan Lujan at 125. Van Ness pinned Braden Stauffenberg at 149 (5:44) and Facundo notched a critical 3-1 (sv) win over #25 Caleb Fish at 165. The Nittany Lions posted a 34-6 dual win, also picking up victories from Roman Bravo-Young (133), Beau Bartlett (141), Carter Starocci (174), Max Dean (197) and Greg Kerkvliet (285).
FRESHMEN VAN NESS, HAINES AND FACUNDO LEAD PENN STATE TO 30-8 WIN OVER MICHIGAN IN BJC DUAL
The Penn State Nittany Lions rolled to a 30-8 win over visiting Michigan in the first BJC Dual of the season on Jan. 20, 2023. Three of Penn State's eight wins came from freshmen making their BJC Dual debuts. Shayne Van Ness rolled to a 14-4 major over Michigan's Fidel Mayora at 149. Levi Haines notched a thrilling 3-1 (sv) win over #10 Will Lewan at 157. Alex Facundo made it three straight for the freshman class with a 5-5 (TB1; RT crit.) victory over #5 Cameron Amine at 165. Roman Bravo Young (133), Beau Bartlett (141), Carter Starocci (174), Aaron Brooks (184) and Max Dean (197) also won for the Nittany Lions. The dual was wrestled in front of 15,975 fans, the sixth-largest crowd for an indoor dual meet in NCAA history (Penn State holds the top seven marks for indoor dual meet attendance records).
HAINES DOWNS #16 MODEL AS PENN STATE ROLLS OVER WISCONSIN IN MADISON
True freshman Levi Haines made his Big Ten dual meet debut in Penn State's conference opener in Madison, Wis., on Jan. 6. Haines posted a convincing 6-6 major over #16 Garrett Model to help spark the Nittany Lions to a lopsided 28-11 win over the homestanding Badgers in a B1G Network national telecast. Roman Bravo-Young majored #27 Taylor LaMont at 133, Max Dean majored #14 Braxton Amos at 197 and Greg Kerkvliet beat #11 Trent Hillger at 285 for three other Penn State ranked wins.
NITTANY LIONS DOWN #5 IOWA STATE IN COLLEGIATE DUALS FINALE
Roman Bravo-Young, carter Starocci and Max Dean each posted wins over ranked foes and Penn State pushed through to a strong 22-12 win over #5 Iowa State in the blue pool finale at the 2022 Collegiate Duals in New Orleans on Dec. 20, 2022. Bravo-Young majored #21 Ramazan Attasauov 10-2 at 133, Starocci controlled #21 Julien Broderson 5-1 at 174 and Dean rolled to a 4-1 win over #2 Yonger Bastida at 197. Penn State also picked up wins from Beau Bartlett (141), Levi Haines (157) and Greg Kerkvliet (285).
NITTANY LIONS ROLL OVER #24 NORTH CAROLINA AT COLLEGIATE DUALS
Penn State won nine of ten bouts in a lop-sided 37-3 win over #22 North Carolina in its second dual at the 2022 Collegiate Duals in New Orleans. After downing Central Michigan 50-3 just prior, Penn State continued its outstanding night in the Morial Convention Center with another win. Beau Bartlett downed #25 Lachlan McNeil 4-1 at 141, Aaron Brooks pinned #17 Gavin Kane in just :54 at 184 and Max Dean majored #31 Max Shaw at 197.
PENN STATE TIES SCHOOL RECORD WITH 7 PINS IN WIN OVER CENTRAL MICHIGAN
The Penn State Nittany Lions tied a school record with seven pins in a rousing 50-3 win over Central Michigan in their first action of the 2022 Collegiate Duals in New Orleans. Roman Bravo-Young (133), Beau Bartlett (141), Shayne Van Ness (149), Levi Haines (157), Carter Starocci (174), Aaron Brooks (184) and Max Dean (197) all recorded pins while Alex Facundo and Seth Nevills had majors. Haines made his Penn State dual debut against the Chippewas. Penn State also had seven pins against Millersville in 1983 and Kent State in 2015.
MAX DEAN DOWNS #11 HARVEY TO LEAD PENN STATE TO 31-3 VICTORY OVER OREGON STATE; NAMED B1G WOW
Max Dean posted a strong 6-3 win over #11 Tanner Harvey at 197 to lead Penn State to a 31-3 victory over visiting Oregon State in sold out Rec Hall. Dean's win was one of nine for Penn State as the Nittany Lions won all four bouts featuring ranked opponents. Penn State also got majors from Roman Bravo-Young and Carter Starocci and a technical fall from Greg Kerkvliet. Dean was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week (12/13/22) for his efforts.
VAN NESS AND KERKVLIET PICK UP BONUS IN RANKED WINS AS LIONS TAME LEHIGH ON THE ROAD
Redshirt freshman Shayne Van Ness notched a first period pin (2:28) over #26 Manzona Bryant IV and Greg Kerkvliet rolled to an 18-0 tech fall (4:01) over #22 Nathan Taylor as Penn State tamed Lehigh 24-12 for another road win. The Nittany Lions won six of ten bouts in the dual. Aaron Brooks beat #22 Tate Samuelson 8-3 and Beau Bartlett downed #30 Malyke Hines 8-4 as well.
VAN NESS DOWNS #24 KINNER AS LIONS ROLL AT RIDER
Penn State freshman Shayne Van Ness dominated #24 Quinn Kinner of Rider to lead the Nittany Lions to a lop-sided 37-3 road victory in New Jersey. The dual, wrestled in front of over 3,000 fans in Trenton's CURE Arena, featured nine Penn State wins. Freshman Gary Steen got his first Lion dual victory at 125, Donovon Ball picked up a dual win at 184 and the Lions had a pin and four majors to roll to the win.
STAROCCI, BROOKS, KERKVLIET DOMINATE AT NWCA ALL-STAR EXHIBITION.
Three Penn State Nittany Lions took part in the NWCA All-Star Exhibition on Nov. 22 in Austin, Tex. No. 1 Carter Starocci took on No. 2 Mekhi Lewis of Virginia Tech at 174 and rolled to a 2-0 win thanks to an escape and a strong third period rideout to clinch riding time. No. 1 Aaron Brooks rolled up five takedowns on his way to a convincing 11-8 win over No. 2 Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa at 184. No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet posted a strong 8-5 win over No. 4 Tony Cassioppi of Iowa, using three takedowns and escape and a riding time point. The event was an exhibition and the results DO NOT COUNT AS WINS/LOSSES FOR ANY WRESTLER NOR TOWARDS RPIs.
MAX DEAN NAMED BLACK KNIGHT INVITE O.W., ONE OF FIVE PENN STATE CHAMPS
Max Dean rolled through the field at the 2022 Black Knight Invite at Army West Point on Nov. 20, going 4-0 with two pins and a tech, including a pin of #25 Trey Rogers of Hofstra in the finals. Dean was one of five Penn State champions at the event, joined by Beau Bartlett (141), Shayne Van Ness (149), Levi Haines (157) and Alex Facundo (165).
PENN STATE PLACES 11 OF 13 AT BLACK KNIGHT
The Nittany Lions took 13 wrestlers to the Black Knight Invite on Nov. 20 and, in addition to the five champions mentioned above, had 11 of its entrants place. Three Nittany Lions advanced to the finals before losing to teammates in a series of three all-PSU title bouts. David Evans took second at 141, Terrell Barraclough was second at 157 and Matt Lee was second at 165. Gary Steen took third at 125 and Donovon Ball was third at 184 while Lucas Cochran placed fifth at 197.
THREE FRESHMEN DEBUT IN PENN STATE'S 44-3 SEASON OPENING WIN OVER LOCK HAVEN
A trio of Penn State redshirt freshmen made their Nittany Lion debuts when Penn State downed visiting Lock Haven 44-3 on Nov. 11. Gary Steen (125), Shayne Van Ness (149) and Alex Facundo (165) all competed in their first Penn State duals in front of a sold out Rec Hall crowd. Shayne Van Ness pinned Connor Eck at the 6:32 mark in his first Lion bout while Alex Facundo tallied 13 takedowns in a 27-12 tech fall (5:35) over Aiden Gaughler. Steen dropped a tough 14-4 bout to #13 Anthony Noto. Penn State had three pins (Van Ness, Max Dean, Greg Kerkvliet), three tech falls (Facundo, Roman Bravo-Young, Aaron Brooks), two majors (Beau Bartlett, Carter Starocci), and Terrell Barraclough downed #28 Ashton Eyler 3-1 at 157.
8 OF 12 LIONS PLACE AT BEARCAT OPEN
Penn State sent 12 wrestlers to Binghamton University on Sunday, Nov. 13, for the Bearcat Open. Eight of the 12 Lions competing placed at the event. Connor Pierce led the way with a second place finish, going 4-0 but dropping the title bout to a non-collegiate entry in the finals. Konner Kraeszig took third at 174, Lucas Cochran took third at 197, David Evans took fifth at 141 (with three pins), Levi Haines took fifth at 157, Joe Lee took fifth at 165, Donovon Ball took fifth at 184 and Levko Higgins placed sixth at 197.
MILESTONES
Individual records and milestones that are in play as of now:
* 250 Career coaching wins (overall career)
Cael Sanderson, 229
* 100 Career Big Ten dual meet coaching wins
Cael Sanderson, 99
* 200 Career coaching wins at Penn State
Cael Sanderson, 185
