ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Penn State Nittany Lions (16-0, 8-0 B1G) will have six wrestlers competing in the 2023 Big Ten Finals set for tomorrow, Sunday, March 5 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Penn State has qualified nine wrestlers for the NCAA Championships in two weeks. The two-day event concludes tomorrow with consolation action at 1:00 p.m. and the Big Ten Finals set for 4:30 p.m. Eastern. All individual rankings listed are InterMat (Feb. 21, 2023).
The Nittany Lions went 6-1 in the semifinals, tying the school record for Big Ten finalists (2019). Head coach Cael Sanderson's crew sits atop the team race with 120.0 points while Iowa (105.5) and Nebraska (98.5) follow in second and third. Senior Max Dean picked up his 100th career win during the session as well.
Roman Bravo-Young, ranked No. 1 at 133 and the top-seed, met No. 11 Dylan Ragusin of Michigan in the first of Penn State's seven semifinal bouts. Bravo-Young scored quickly, taking Ragusin down for two points and an early 2-1 lead. The Nittany Lion bulled through a second takedown at the :45 mark to open up a 4-1 lead and then finished the period on top to carry that lead, with 1:00 in riding time, into the second stanza. Bravo-Young worked his way to an escape and a 5-1 lead to open up the second stanza. After having a takedown reversed on review, Bravo-Young fought off a late Ragusin shot and led 5-1 after two. Bravo-Young built his riding time up over 1:00 before Ragusin escaped to a 5-2 score. Bravo-Young finished the bout with a takedown and a riding time point to post the 8-2 win and move into the Big Ten finals on Sunday.
Levi Haines, ranked No. 7 at 157 and the second seed, took on No. 6 Kendall Coleman of Purdue in his semifinal match-up. Haines and Coleman battled evenly for opening period, sending the bout to the second tied 0-0. Haines chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Haines worked his way in on a low single and forced a scramble that lead to a takedown to open up a 3-0 lead at 1:24. Coleman rolled to an escape on a reset to cut Haines' lead to 3-1 midway through the period. Haines carried that lead into the third where Coleman escaped to a 3-2 lead to start the last stanza. Haines controlled the action in neutral for the rest of the period and posted the 4-3 victory to move into Sunday's Big Ten title bout.
Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174 and the top seed, battled No. 8 Bailee O'Reilly of Minnesota in the semis. Starocci worked shoulder control into a low shot and a takedown on the edge of the mat, opening up a 2-0 lead at 1:54. Starocci stayed aggressive on offense throughout the opening period and notched a second takedown late and led 4-1 after one. O'Reilly started the second period on bottom and Starocci built his riding time edge well over 1:00. He cut O'Reilly loose midway through the period and led 4-2 with 1:51 in time after two. Starocci escaped to a 5-2 lead quickly in the third. He took the Gopher down a third time late in the period and, with riding time, rolled to the 8-2 win. Starocci's victory moved him into Sunday's Big Ten title match.
Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 184 and the top seed, met No. 8 Matt Finesilver of Michigan in his semifinal match. Brooks and Finesilver battled through the opening minute evenly before Brooks blew through a high double to open up a 2-1 lead. Brooks worked Finesilver to the mat for a second takedown and led 4-2, then added a third one late and finished on top to lead 6-2 after the opening period. Brooks continued to pour on the offense in the second, picking up a fourth takedown, then a fifth at 1:00 to open up a 10-4 lead. Brooks worked his riding time edge up over 1:00, picked up a stall point and then took Finesilver down again to lead 13-5 after two. Brooks tacked on two more takedowns, clinched his riding time point, and finished the period on top to roll to the 18-6 major decision.
Max Dean, ranked No. 3 at 197 and the top seed, took on No. 12 Jacob Warner of Iowa in the semis. Dean and Warner worked the middle of the mat in neutral for the bulk of the first period and finished it in a scoreless tie. Dean chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 1-0 lead at the 1:25 mark. Dean slid through a fast low shot and finished it off for a takedown and a 3-0 lead with :45 left in the period. Dean finished the period on top and led 3-0 after two. Warner quickly escaped to a 3-1 score to start the third period. Dean worked the middle of the mat for the remainder of the period and finished off the 3-1 victory. The win moved Dean into the finals on Sunday and was the 100th victory of his career.
Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 2 at 285 and the second seed, faced No. 3 Tony Cassioppi of Iowa in Penn State's final semifinal bout of the evening. Kerkvliet took a 2-0 lead midway through the opening period with a strong double at the 1:02 mark. He dominated the action on top after the takedown and finished off the period on top to lead 2-0 with 1:02 in riding time after one. Kerkvliet took down to start the second and patiently worked his way to a reversal and a 4-0 lead. He rode Cassioppi out once again and led 4-0 with 1:22 in riding time after two periods. Cassioppi chose down to start the final stanza and but Kerkvliet was unrelenting on top, controlling the Hawkeye for the full two minutes and rolling to a 5-0 win with 3:12 in riding time. His victory pushed him into Sunday's Big Ten finals, Penn State's sixth finalist.
Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 4 at 141 and the second seed, took on No. 6 Brock Hardy of Nebraska in the semis. The duo scrambled through a couple early shots before Bartlett rolled through a Hardy shot for a takedown and a 2-1 lead at the 1:15 mark. The Nittany Lion junior carried that lead into the second where Hardy escaped to a 2-2 tie to begin the period. Hardy worked through for a takedown and a 4-2 lead midway through the period and finished on top. Bartlett chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 4-3 score but Hardy quickly took him down again and posted the 7-3 win. Bartlett's loss sent him into the conso semifinals in session three.
Shayne Van Ness, ranked No. 13 at 149 and the fifth-seed, met Purdue's Jaden Reynolds in his first conso bout. Van Ness scored quickly, taking Reynolds down in the opening seconds to take 2-0 lead. He then worked a strong ride into a stall point to lead 3-0 at :35 and carried that lead into the second period. Van Ness added an escape and a quick takedown to open up a 6-0 lead then tacked on two quick takedowns to lead 10-3 after two periods. He tacked on four more takedowns and over 3:00 of riding time to roll to the 19-7 major decision. Van Ness battled No. 30 Chance Lamer of Michigan in his next conso bout. Midway through the opening period, Van Ness took Lamer down and to his back for a six-point move, opening up a 6-0 lead. Van Ness led 6-1 after the opening period and built his riding time to nearly 2:00 before Lamer escaped to a 6-2 score. Van Ness added two more quick takedowns to lead 10-3 with 2:49 riding time after two. Van Ness tacked on one more takedown to lead 13-4 before Lamar took an injury default after a stoppage early in the third period. Van Ness got the injury default victory to continue his quest for third place starting in session three.
Alex Facundo, ranked No. 9 at 165 and the fourth seed, faced Nick South of Indiana in his first conso bout. Facundo battled South through nearly three minutes of even wrestling before coming out on top of a scramble for a 2-0 lead at the end of the opening period. He escaped for another point to start the second period and led 3-0 heading to the third stanza. South escaped to a 3-1 score to start the third period but Facundo held firm on defense for the rest of the match and posted the 3-1 victory to advance in consolation action. He took on No. 33 Bubba Wilson of Nebraska in his next bout. Facundo and Wilson battled through a scoreless first period. The Nittany Lion freshman quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead to start the second stanza. Facundo forced a scramble midway through the second but Wilson was able stalemate the action to a reset. Wilson escaped to a 1-1 tie to start the third period and then quickly took Facundo down to lead 3-2 after a quick Facundo escape. Facundo worked for a final takedown but Wilson fought off the effort to hold on for the 3-2 win. Facundo's loss dropped him into the seventh-place bout in session three.
Gary Steen took on No. 17 Jack Medley of Michigan in his first conso bout at 125. Medley took Steen down early for a 2-1 lead after a quick Steen escape. Steen fought off two more Medley efforts before Medley connected for a takedown and a 4-1 lead after the first period. Medley added an escape to lead 5-1 after two. Steen escaped to a 5-2 score to start the third period but Medley finished off a 7-2 win with a final takedown. Steen's loss ended his shots at an automatic slot at NCAAs but he moved in to the 9/10 placer bracket starting in session three.
Penn State went 9-3 in session two and capped off day one with an 18-6 record. The Nittany Lions have added 9.5 bonus points off six majors, a tech fall and an injury default win. The event concludes on Sunday, March 5, with consolation action starting at 1:00 p.m. and the Big Ten Championship Finals and placing bouts at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on the Big Ten Network.
Penn State's NCAA qualifiers will head to Tulsa, Okla., for the 2023 NCAA Championships on March 16-18, 2023, in Tulsa's BOK Center. The six-session title tournament features sessions at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 16; 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Friday March 17; and 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 (all times Eastern). The NCAA tournament will be broadcast national on the ESPN family of networks.
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 at 2023 Big Ten Championship – Session 2
March 4, 2023 – Ann Arbor, Mich. – University of Michigan, Host
Team Standings (Top 3 after session 2)
1: PENN STATE – 120.0
2: Iowa – 105.5
3: Nebraska – 98.5
Weight-by-weight agate (RANKINGS LISTED ARE INTERMAT as of 2/21/23):
125: Gary Steen, Fr., Hermitage, Pa./Reynolds – #10 seed
Rd. 1: #15 Braxton Brown, Maryland – L, 0-14 maj. dec.
Cn. 1: bye
Cn. 2: #17 Jack Medley, Michigan – L, 2-7 dec.
Pl. 2: tomorrow
Steen, the 10th-seed at 125, met No. 15 Braxton Brown of Maryland in the opening round (the 7th-seed). Steen fell behind early to the ranked Terrapin, trailing 6-0 after the opening period and dropped a tough 14-0 major decision. He received a bye in the first round of consolation action to stay alive into session two.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
133: #1 Roman Bravo-Young, Sr., Tucson, Ariz./Sunnyside – #1 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #18 Brody Teske, Iowa – W, 13-2 maj. dec.
Semi: #11 Dylan Ragusin, Michigan – W, 8-2 dec.
Finals: #13 Aaron Nagao, Minnesota – tomorrow
Bravo-Young, ranked No. 1 at 133 and the top-seed, had an opening round by and met No. 18 Brody Teske in the quarterfinals. Bravo-Young took Teske down quickly and built up over 1:00 in riding time with a strong ride. He finished the period on top to lead 2-0 after one. He upped his lead to 4-1 early in the second stanza, added two back points to lead 6-1, then another two-point turn to lead 8-1 after two periods. Bravo-Young added two more takedowns quickly in the third period and rolled to a 13-2 major decision with over 5:00 in riding time. The win moved him into the semifinals as he became Penn State's first automatic qualifier for the NCAA Championships in Tulsa.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
141: #4 Beau Bartlett, Jr., Tempe, Ariz./Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) -- #2 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #28 Cole Mattin, Michigan – W, 4-2 dec.
Semi: #6 Brock Hardy, Nebraska – L, 3-7 dec.
Cn. Semi: #13 Parker Filius, Purdue – tomorrow
Bartlett, ranked No. 4 at 141 and the second seed, had a first round bye and took on No. 28 Cole Mattin of Michigan in the quarterfinals. After a scoreless first period, Bartlett escaped to a 1-0 lead to start the second stanza. Bartlett took a 2-0 lead into the third period after picking up a stall point late in the second stanza. Bartlett used a takedown in the third period to ice the bout and posted a strong 4-2 victory to move into the semifinals. The win also clinched his spot at the NCAA Championships.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
149: #13 Shayne Van Ness, Fr., Somerville, N.J./Blair Academy – #5 seed
Rd. 1: Jake Harrier, Illinois – W, 16-4 maj. dec.
Qtr: #6 Max Murin, Iowa – L, 2-4 dec.
Cn. 2: Jaden Reynolds, Purdue – W, 19-7 maj. dec.
Cn. 3: #30 Chance Lamer, Michigan – W, inj. def.
Cn. Semi: #28 Graham Rooks, Indiana – tomorrow
Van Ness, ranked No. 13 at 149 and the fifth seed, took on Jake Harrier of Illinois in the opening round. He picked up a takedown midway through the opening period and added a late one to lead 5-2 after one. Van Ness increased his lead to 7-3 midway through the second, finished on top and led 7-3 with 2:25 in riding time after two. He added a quick scores in the third to up his lead to 12-3 early in the third and rolled to a 16-4 major decision with nearly 4:00 in riding time. Van Ness' win moved him into the quarterfinals where he met No. 6 Max Murin of Iowa. Bartlett trailed 2-1 after the first period and tied it up with a takedown in the second. Murin upped retook a 3-2 lead with an escape early in the third and had riding time. Van Ness was unable to break through Murin's third period defense and dropped into consolation action with a 4-2 decision.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
157: #7 Levi Haines, Fr., Arendtsville, Pa./Biglerville – #2 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #24 Derek Gilcher, Indiana – W, 6-0 dec.
Semi: #6 Kendall Coleman, Purdue – W, 3-2 dec.
Finals: #1 Peyton Robb, Nebraska – tomorrow
Haines, ranked No. 7 at 157 and the second seed, had a first round by and met No. 24 Derek Gilcher of Indiana in the quarters. Haines took a 2-0 lead at the 1:10 mark and rode Gilcher out to lead 2-0 with over a minute in riding time after the opening period. He quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead to start the second and carried that lead into the third. Haines added a two-point turn and riding time to roll to a 6-0 win and advance to the semifinals. He also earned a spot at the NCAA tournament in Tulsa as a true freshman.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
165: #9 Alex Facundo, Fr., Essexville, Mich./Davison – #4 seed
Rd. 1: Stony Bell, Purdue – W, 7-2 dec.
Qtr: #12 Carson Kharchla, Ohio State – L, 1-3 dec.
Cn. 2: Nick South, Indiana – W, 3-1 dec.
Cn. 3: #33 Bubba Wilson, Nebraska – L, 2-3 dec.
7th Place: #25 Dan Braunagel, Illinois -- tomorrow
Facundo, ranked No. 9 at 165 and the fourth seed, faced Purdue's Stony Buell. Facundo battled Buell through the first period and led 2-0 thanks to a late takedown in the opening stanza. He escaped to start the second and quickly took Buell down to open up a 5-0 lead and led 5-1 after two. Facundo added a third takedown in the final period and posted the 7-2 win to move into the quarterfinals. He took on No. 12 Carson Kharchla of Ohio State in the quarters. Facundo trailed 2-0 after a late Kharchla takedown in the first and then 3-0 after the Buckeye escaped to start the second. The Penn State freshman escaped quickly to start the third period, cutting the lead to 3-1. He chased Kharchla for the rest of the bout but the Buckeye defended his way to a 3-1 win, sending Facundo into consolation action.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
174: #1 Carter Starocci, Jr., Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep -- #1 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #15 Troy Fisher, Northwestern – W, 10-2 maj. dec.
Semi: #8 Bailee O'Reilly, Minnesota – W, 8-2 dec.
Final: #2 Mikey Labriola, Nebraska – tomorrow
Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174 and the top seed, had a first round bye and took on No. 15 Troy Fisher of Northwestern in the quarterfinals. Starocci scored quickly, taking Fisher down to lead 2-1. He quickly added a second takedown to up his lead to 4-1 and carried that lead into the second stanza. Starocci escaped to a 5-1 lead in the second and added another takedown to lead 7-1 after two periods. The Nittany Lion junior added a fourth takedown and 2:04 in riding time to roll into the semifinals with 10-2 major decision. He also grabbed a spot at nationals with the win.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
184: #1 Aaron Brooks, Sr., Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown -- #1 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #14 Brian Soldano, Rutgers – W, 18-2 (TF; 5:57)
Semi: #8 Matt Finesilver, Michigan – W, 18-6 maj. dec.
Final: #5 Kaleb Romero, Ohio State – tomorrow
Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 184 and the top seed, had a bye in the opening round and battled No. 14 Brian Soldano of Rutgers in the quarterfinals. Brooks took Soldano down twice in the opening minute of the bout to lead 4-2 and led 6-2 after one. He quickly upped his lead to 8-2 to start the second stanza and carried that lead, and over 3:00 in riding time, into the third. The Lion senior took a 10-2 lead with a quick takedown and then turned Soldano for two and four to notch the 18-2 technical fall at 5:57. The win moved him into the semifinals and earned him a spot at NCAAs.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
197: #3 Max Dean, Sr., Lowell, Mich./Lowell – #1 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #23 Michael Foy, Minnesota – W, 2-0 dec.
Semi: #12 Jacob Warner, Iowa – W, 3-1 dec.
Finals: #10 Silas Allred, Nebraska – tomorrow
Dean, ranked No. 3 at 197 and the top seed, had an opening round bye and met No. 23 Michael Foy of Minnesota in his quarterfinal bout. Dean and Foy wrestled through a scoreless first period and the Gopher chose down to start the second. Dean controlled the action from the top position, breaking Foy down and building up 2:00 in riding time by finishing the period on top. Tied 0-0, Dean worked his way to an escape and a 1-0 lead at the 1:10 mark, maintaining a riding time edge. Dean, with the riding time point, moved into the semifinals with a 2-0 win. He also earned an automatic bid to nationals with the victory.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
285: #2 Greg Kerkvliet, Jr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley – #2 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #16 Tate Orndorff, Ohio State – W, 9-1 maj. dec.
Semi: #3 Tony Cassioppi, Iowa – W, 5-0 dec.
Final: #1 Mason Parris, Michigan – tomorrow
Kerkvliet, ranked No. 2 at 285 and the second seed, had Penn State's seventh first round bye and took on No. 16 Tate Orndorff of Ohio State in the quarterfinals. Kerkvliet took an early 2-0 lead with a fast takedown and then built up a big riding time edge, forcing Orndorff into a first stall and riding him out to lead 2-0 with 2:48 in riding time. Kerkvliet reversed the Buckeye quickly to start the second, cut him loose and then added another takedown to lead 6-1 with 4:02 riding time after two. He took an 8-1 lead early in the third with a clinched riding time point, rolling into the semifinals with a 9-1 major decision. Kerkvliet also earned a trip to Tulsa and the NCAA tournament with the victory.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
