THIS WEEK'S ACTION:
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State (16-0, 8-0 B1G) heads to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the 2023 Big Ten Wrestling Championships. The NCAA qualifier for all 14 Big Ten teams, the two-day event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5. Action begins on Saturday with sessions at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday's action begins at 1 p.m. with the conference title bouts slated for 4:30 p.m. The tournament is a B1G Network national telecast and will be streamed on B1G+ as well. All rankings listed are InterMat (Feb. 21, 2023).
Penn State ended the regular season with a 40-6 win over Clarion on Feb. 19. The victory allowed Penn State to post a 16-0 record in dual meets, the seventh time during head coach Cael Sanderson's tenure that Penn State posted an undefeated dual meet mark (and the seventh time in the last eight years).
The Nittany Lion line-up features four freshmen, beginning with Gary Steen who is 6-12 at 125. Roman Bravo-Young is 13-0 overall and ranked No. 1 at 133. Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 4 at 141, is 19-1 on the year. Freshman Shayne Van Ness is 15-4 and ranked No. 13 at 149. Freshman Levi Haines is 18-1 and ranked No. 7 at 157. Alex Facundo is 16-2 and ranked No. 9 at 165. Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, is 16-0 and Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 184, is 9-1. Max Dean is 18-2 and ranked No. 3 at 197. Greg Kerkvliet is 13-1 and ranked No. 2 at 285.
Penn State heads to the 2023 Big Ten Championships looking to win its seventh conference tournament title. The Nittany Lions won the 2023 Big Ten Regular season title this year, its ninth overall. The Big Ten will qualify 88 wrestlers automatically: the top nine at 125, nine at 133, nine at 141, nine at 149, 10 at 157, eight at 165, seven at 174, nine at 184, nine at 197 and nine at 285. After every conference completes its qualifying tournament, the NCAA will issue a number of at-large bids at each weight class: four at 125, five at 133, four at 141, four at 149, four at 157, five at 165, five at 174, seven at 184, four at 197 and four at 285.
Penn State's national qualifiers will head to the 2023 NCAA Championships in Tulsa, Okla. The three-day event runs Thursday through Saturday, March 16-18, in Tulsa's BOK Center. Sessions 1 and 2 are at 12 and 7 p.m. on Thursday. Sessions 3 and 4 are at 12 and 8 p.m. on Friday. Session 5 is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday and the National Finals will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday night. All times are Eastern.
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 (16-0, 8-0 B1G)
2023 B1G REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONS
125 Gary Steen Fr. Hermitage, Pa./Reynolds 6-12
(CR = NR // Career vs. B1G: 1-5 // Career in B1G Trn: 0-0)
133 #1 Roman Bravo-Young Sr.+ Tucson, Ariz./Sunnyside 13-0
(CR = #1 // Career vs. B1G: 46-7 // Career in B1G Trn: 12-3)
2X Big Ten Champion (2021, 2022)
141 #4 Beau Bartlett Jr. Tempe, Ariz./Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) 19-1
(CR = #4 // Career vs. B1G: 25-12 // Career in B1G Trn: 4-4)
149 #13 Shayne Van Ness Fr. Somerville, N.J./Blair Academy 15-4
(CR = #13 // Career vs. B1G: 6-3 // Career in B1G Trn: 0-0)
157 #7 Levi Haines Fr. Arendtsville, Pa./Biglerville 18-1
(CR = #8 // Career vs. B1G: 9-0 // Career in B1G Trn: 0-0)
165 #9 Alex Facundo Fr. Essexville, Mich./Davison 16-2
(CR = #10 // Career vs. B1G: 8-1 // Career in B1G Trn: 0-0)
174 #1 Carter Starocci Jr. Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep 16-0
(CR = #1 // Career vs. B1G: 29-2 // Career in B1G Trn: 6-1)
1X Big Ten Champion (2022)
184 #1 Aaron Brooks Sr. Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown 9-1
(CR = #1 // Career vs. B1G: 37-2 // Career in B1G Trn: 8-1)
2X Big Ten Champion (2020, 2021)
197 #3 Max Dean Sr. Lowell, Mich./Lowell 18-2
(CR = #3 // Career vs. B1G: 25-5 // Career in B1G Trn: 3-0)
1X Big Ten Champion (2022)
285 #2 Greg Kerkvliet Jr. Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley 13-1
(CR = #2 // Career vs. B1G: 27-7 // Career in B1G Trn: 8-3)
Individual Rankings listed are InterMat (as of 2/21/23)
CR = Official NCAA Coaches Rank (as of 2/23/23)
NOTES:
BRAVO-YOUNG AND DEAN GET WINS IN FINAL duals
as penn state downs clarion 40-6
Seniors Roman Bravo-Young and Max Dean each got wins in the final dual meets of their careers as Penn State downed visiting Clarion 40-6 in the dual finale of the 2022-23 season. Wrestled in front of a sold out Rec Hall crowd on Feb. 19, Bravo-Young pinned Mason Prinkey at the 4:31 mark in his final collegiate dual and Dean posted a 9-5 win over Tyler Bagoly in his. The Nittany Lions won nine of ten bouts and had 40 takedowns in the win.
PENN STATE WINS 9TH B1G REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP
Penn State closed out another perfect Big Ten dual season with a 44-3 victory over Rutgers on Feb. 12. The victory clinched another B1G Regular Season title for the Nittany Lions. This marks the ninth time they have won (or shared) the conference's regular season title (all under head coach Cael Sanderson). Penn State's regular season conference title list includes 2012 (co-), 2014 (co-), 2016 (co-), 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 (co-), 2022, and now 2023. This marks the eighth time that Penn State has finished the Big Ten dual season without a loss or tie, the seventh under Sanderson.
NITTANY LIONS WIN 9 OF 10 IN 44-3 ROUT OF MARYLAND
Penn State won nine of ten bouts in a 44-3 rout of visiting Maryland in sold out Rec Hall on Feb. 12. The Nittany Lions rolled up a 39-1 takedown advantage, had three pins and two techs in the lopsided victory. The win capped off an 8-0 Big Ten dual meet regular season as Penn State won its ninth Big Ten Regular Season Championship. Shayne Van Ness posted an impressive 19-4 tech fall over #18 Kal Miller to spark Penn State while Roman Bravo-Young had the other tech. Levi Haines, Alex Facundo and Seth Nevills all had pins in the victory.
PENN STATE DOMINATES RUTGERS IN NEW JERSEY
The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestlers won eight of ten bouts in a 33-8 win over homestanding Rutgers in sold out Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, N.J. on Feb. 10. Seven of Penn State's eight wins were for bonus, including a 12-1 major for Beau Bartlett over #15 Joseph Olivieri at 141 and an 18-3 tech fall for Aaron Brooks over #14 Brian Soldano at 184.
STAROCCI HANDLES WASHINGTON AS PENN STATE ROLLS TO WIN AT INDIANA
Carter Starocci forced #15 DJ Washington into three stalls and notched three takedowns in a dominant 11-3 major decision at 174, sparking Penn State to a 35-8 win at Indiana on Feb. 5. Starocci's win was one of eight for the Nittany Lions in the dual. Beau Bartlett picked up a pin in just :12 at 141 and Shayne Van Ness majored #30 Graham Rooks 17-5 at 141. Levi Haines got a win at 157 and Alex Facundo picked up a major at 165. Donovon Ball grabbed a win at 184 after Starocci's major at 174. Max Dean picked up a pin at 197 and Greg Kerkvliet posted a 16-0 tech fall over #28 Jacob Bullock at 285.
NITTANY LIONS ROLL OVER #10 OHIO STATE 29-9 FOR IMPRESSIVE B1G ROAD WIN IN COLUMBUS
The Penn State Nittany Lions rolled into Ohio State's Covelli Center on Feb. 3 and dominated the Buckeyes in a 29-9 win in Columbus. Penn State won eight of ten bouts and gave up only three takedowns in the win. The Nittany Lions eight wins all came over ranked wrestlers, led by Aaron Brooks' 3-2 win over #5 Kaleb Romero at 184. Roman Bravo-Young beat #9 Jesse Mendez 8-2, Beau Bartlett beat #19 Dylan D'Emilio 4-2, Levin Haines majored #25 Paddy Gallagher 14-2, Alex Facundo beat #12 Carson Kharchla 4-1, Carter Starocci dominated #7 Ethan Smith 11-5, Max Dean pinned #17 Gavin Hoffman (4:28) and Greg Kerkvliet majored #18 Tate Orndorff 9-0 (with 4:53 in riding time).
PENN STATE BEATS IOWA IN RECORD-TYING SOLD OUT BJC DUAL; RBY B1G AOW
The Penn State Nittany Lions gave up only two takedowns in a thrilling 23-14 win over visiting Iowa on Jan. 27 in a second sold out BJC Dual. 15,998 fans packed the venue, tying the NCAA indoor dual meet attendance record (also set in the BJC when PSU beat Iowa in 2018), to see the Nittany Lions win six of ten bouts and give up only a couple takedowns in the win. Roman Bravo-Young pinned #17 Brody Teske at 133, Levi Haines beat #15 Cobe Siebrecht 3-2 at 157, Carter Starocci beat #16 Nelson Brands 2-1 at 174, Aaron Brooks teched Drake Rhodes at 184, Max Dean downed #7 Jacob Warner 2-0 at 197 and Greg Kerkvliet beat #3 Tony Cassioppi 4-1 at 285. Bravo-Young was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week (co-) for his efforts in the dual meet.
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, 235
* 100 Career Big Ten dual meet coaching wins
Cael Sanderson, 104
* 200 Career coaching wins at Penn State
Cael Sanderson, 191
* 100 Individual Wins
Max Dean, 98
Roman Bravo-Young, 93
#FUNSTATS
// Most Individual NCAA Titles Since 2011 -- PENN STATE 32, Cornell 11, Oklahoma State 10, Ohio State 9, Iowa 7
// Penn State National Finalists Since 2011 -- 45
// Penn State in NCAA Finals Since 2011 -- 32-13 (Since 2011, winning percentage in NCAA finals is .711)
// Penn State in NCAA Semifinals Since 2011 -- 45-6 (Since 2011, winning percentage in NCAA semis is .882)
// Penn State Team Championships Since 2011 -- 9 (of 11, no NCAA tournament in 2020)
// Penn State Percentage of Team Titles Won Since 2011 - .818 (no NCAA tournament in 2020)
// Penn State has 10 NCAA Championships (9 under Sanderson), third most in NCAA history
// Penn State is the only team in the nation to win at least one individual title at EACH WEIGHT in the last decade
// Penn State is one of only two teams in NCAA history to have five individual champions in one year TWICE.
// Penn State's Cael Sanderson has won 9 NCAA titles as a coach, third most in NCAA history
