UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Five Penn State Nittany Lion wrestlers took part in the 2024 National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic on Saturday night, Nov. 16. The exhibition, which is not an official NCAA event and does not count on the competitors’ official records or season RPIs, was held in Penn State’s Rec Hall. All-rankings listed are InterMat.
The All-Star Classic featured a line-up of 11 collegiate bouts featuring 22 of the nation’s top wrestlers from around the country, as well as five women’s freestyle showcases. For Penn State, All-Americans Beau Bartlett, Shayne Van Ness, Tyler Kasak, Levi Haines and Carter Starocci took part.
Bartlett, ranked No. 3 at 141, took on No. 2 Jesse Mendez of Ohio State. Bartlett came out early looking to set a fast tempo. The duo worked the middle of the mat through the first minute-plus with neither man ceding any ground. Bartlett worked the Buckeye towards the outside circle as the clock hit :30 before Mendez worked his way in on a high single at :10. The Buckeye finished off the takedown with just :01 left on the clock to take a 3-0 lead at the buzzer. Bartlett chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 3-1 score at 1:28. Mendez fought off Bartlett’s offense throughout the middle stanza and led 3-1 after two. Mendez chose down to start the third period and Bartlett cut him to a 4-1 score at 1:35. Bartlett worked the middle of the mat through the 1:00 mark, looking for a tying takedown. Mendez was hit for stalling at :35, then shot low on the reset, forcing a late scramble. Bartlett worked to counter the move, but Mendez was able to fight off the move and walk away with a 4-1 win.
Van Ness, ranked No. 2 at 149, met No. 3 Ty Watters of West Virginia. Van Ness worked his way in on a low shot early in the first period, but Watters was able to fight the move off and keep the match scoreless at 2:15. Van Ness continued to scramble, working the outside circle through the 2:00 mark looking to turn Watters. Van Ness got the three point takedown and three nearfall on the edge of the mat to lead 6-1 after a quick Watters escape. Van Ness continued to shoot Watters backwards through the 1:00 mark. Watters fought off Van Ness and managed to flee the circle at the :12 mark. He gave up a stall warning before the period ended and Van Ness led 6-1 after one. Watters chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 6-2 score at 1:38. Van Ness tripped the Mountaineer to the mat for another takedown and a 9-2 lead at 1:15. Watters escaped to a 9-3 score, gave up a stall late in the period and Van Ness led 10-3 after two. Van Ness chose down to start the third, quickly reversed Watters and took him to his back for four nearfall and a 16-3 lead. Watters escaped and Van Ness rolled to the 16-4 major decision.
Kasak, ranked No. 5 at 157, met No. 3 Peyten Keller of Ohio. Kasak came out quickly and took Keller down for a 3-0 lead. He then worked his riding time up over 1:00 while trying to turn Keller for back points. Keller was able to keep from giving up any extra points before escaping to a 3-1 Kasak lead at 1:15. The duo worked the center of the mat in neutral for the rest of the period and Kasak led 3-1 after one. Keller chose down to start the second period. Kasak controlled the action from the top position, upping his riding time over 3:00 with strong control. Keller escaped to a 3-2 score at :17, Kasak carried that lead and 3:02 in riding time into the third period. Kasak chose down to start the third period. Keller controlled action for over 1:00 as Kasak worked to escape. The Nittany Lion was unable to break free of Keller’s ride but, with 1:02 in riding time, posted the 4-2 win.
Haines, ranked No. 2 at 174, battled No. 3 Cade DeVos of South Dakota State. Haines took a series of quick low shots off the opening whistle, setting a quick tempo early on. DeVos was able to step back from the flurry of shots as the clock moved below the 2:00 mark. Haines battled in neutral while forcing DeVos into a stall warning and the bout moved to the second stanza tied 0-0. Haines chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. He continued to force DeVos backwards, looking for a takedown. He forced another stall and took a 2-0 lead at :40. Haines pressured DeVos backwards through the end of the second period and led 2-0 after two. DeVos chose down to start the third period. Haines controlled the action on top through the 1:30 mark and nearly turned DeVos for back points. DeVos scrambled into a near reversal, but Haines maintained control and broke DeVos flat at 1:00. Haines worked his riding time point up over 1:00 as the clock moved below the :30 mark. Haines then turned DeVoss for four late back points and finished on top. With 1:44 in riding time, Haines rolled to the strong 7-0 win.
Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 184, took on No. 2 Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa in a battle of national champions. The duo worked the center of the mat for the first minute-plus. Starocci pressed Keckeisen towards the outside circle, forcing the Panther backwards as the clock hit 1:15. Starocci worked the center of the mat, keeping Keckeisen on his heels and backing away for the entire period and the bout moved to the second stanza tied 0-0. Starocci chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Keckeisen took a shot at the 1:35 mark and Starocci fought off the effort to force a reset at 1:35. Starocci then turned a low single into a scramble that ended in potentially dangerous at 1:09. Starocci maintained his position in the middle of the mat for the remainder of the period and led 1-0 after two. Keckeisen chose down to start the third period and worked his way to an escape and a 1-1 tie at 1:25. The clock moved below the 1:00 mark with the duo still working in neutral. Starocci was unable to break through Keckeisen’s defense and the bout moved to sudden victory. Starocci took a low shot at 1:15 and then fought off a quick Keckeisen counter to keep the bout moving at 1-1. Starocci worked his way in on a high single at :35 and then finished off the takedown for a 4-1 sudden victory win with :27 left
Penn State begins its official NCAA season tomorrow with a home dual in Rec Hall when the Nittany Lions host Drexel at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17.
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#1 Penn State at NWCA All-Star Classic
November 16, 2024 – Rec Hall – University Park, Pa.
141: #3 Beau Bartlett vs. #2 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State – L, 1-4 dec.
149: #2 Shayne Van Ness vs. #3 Ty Watters, West Virginia – W, 16-4 maj. dec.
157: #5 Tyler Kasak vs. #3 Peyten Kellar, Ohio – W, 4-2 dec.
174: #2 Levi Haines vs. #3 Cade DeVos, South Dakota State – W, 7-0 dec.
184: #1 Carter Starocci vs. #2 Parker Keckeisen, Northern Iowa – W, 4-1 (sv) dec.
Records: Penn State (0-0, 0-0 B1G)
Up Next for Penn State: home vs. Drexel, Sunday, November 17, 1 p.m.