NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (5-0, 0-0 B1G) dominated the Little Rock Trojans (6-1) in its second of three duals at the 2024 Journeymen Collegiate Duals in Nashville, Tenn. Penn State shut out Little Rock 44-0, the third straight shutout win for the Nittany Lions. All rankings listed are InterMat/InterMat Tournament Power Index (TPI).
The dual began at 125. Penn State true freshman Luke Lilledahl, ranked No. 12 at 125, opened up the dual meet with a strong 9-3 win over Little Rock’s Jaden Carson. Sophomore Braeden Davis, ranked No. 10 at 133, thrilled the partisan Penn State crowd in the next bout. Davis used a second period escape to post a thrilling 1-0 win over No. 5 Nassir Bailey, putting Penn State up 6-0. Senior+ Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 3 at 141, gave the Nittany Lions a 12-0 lead by pinning Cole Minnick at 5:23.
Sophomore Shayne Van Ness, ranked No. 2 at 149, came back from an early first period deficit against No. 16 Jordan Williams to pin the Trojan at the 4:39 mark of the second period, upping the Nittany Lion lead to 18-0. Sophomore Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 4 at 157, used a first period takedown to post a hard-fought 4-2 win over No. 20 Matty Bianchi. Penn State let Little Rock 21-0 at the midway point of the dual.
Sophomore Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 1 at 165, continued Penn State’s scoreboard assault. Mesenbrink used four takedowns and a turn to roll to a 17-1 tech fall over No. 21 Joey Bianchi at 5:27. Junior Levi Haines, ranked No. 2 at 174, followed that up with another tech, using a couple takedowns and three turns to beat Kodiak Kennedy 18-2 (5:33), giving the Nittany Lions a 31-0 lead.
Graduate Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 184, dominated Tristan Wills in the next match. Starocci took Wills down three times and turned him twice before posting the 17-1 tech fall at 5:37 in the third period. Redshirt freshman Josh Barr, ranked No. 7 at 197, thrilled the Penn State faithful in his match-up against No. 5 Stephen Little. Barr battled Little into extra time before ending the match with a takedown in sudden victory, winning 4-1 (sv) with just :17 on the clock. Senior+ Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 2 at 285, ended the dual meet with a 15-0 technical fall (1:40) over Little Rock’s Keith Miley. The Nittany Lions pocketed their third straight shutout win, 44-0, and won their second in a row in Nashville.
The Nittany Lions owned an 18-2 lead in takedowns. Penn State tallied 14 bonus points off two pins (Bartlett, Van Ness) and four tech falls (Mesenbrink, Haines, Starocci, Kerkvliet).
The Nittany Lions are now 5-0 on the year while Little Rock falls to 6-1. Penn State closes out its three-dual day in Nashville by battling No. 8 Missouri at 7 p.m.
Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via X/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 44, #15 Little Rock 0
December 22, 2024 – Journeymen Collegiate Duals – Nashville, Tenn.
125: #12 Luke Lilledahl PSU dec. Jaden Carson LR, 9-3 3-0
133: #10 Braeden Davis PSU dec. #5 Nassir Bailey LR, 1-0 6-0
141: #3 Beau Bartlett PSU pinned Cole Minnick LB, WBF (5:23) 12-0
149: #2 Shayne Van Ness PSU pinned #16 Jordan Williams LR, WBF (4:39) 18-0
157: #4 Tyler Kasak PSU dec. #20 Matty Bianchi LR, 4-2 21-0
165: #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink PSU tech fall #21 Joey Bianchi LR, 17-1 (TF; 5:27) 26-0
174: #2 Levi Haines PSU tech fall Kodiak Kennedy LR, 18-2 (TF; 5:33) 31-0
184: #1 Carter Starocci PSU tech fall Tristan Wills LR, 17-1 (TF; 5:37) 36-0
197: #7 Josh Barr PSU dec. #5 Stephen Little LR, 4-1 (sv) 39-0
285: #2 Greg Kerkvliet PSU tech fall Keith Miley LR, 15-0 (TF; 1:40) 44-0
Records: Penn State (5-0, 0-0 B1G); Little Rock (6-1)
Up Next for Penn State: Sunday, Dec. 22, Journeymen Collegiate Duals, Nashville, Tenn., vs. #8 Missouri at 7 p.m.
DUAL MEET BOUT-BY-BOUT:
125: True freshman Luke Lilledahl, ranked No. 12 at 125, took on Jaden Carson. Lilledahl countered a slight Carson shot to start the match and worked his way back to standing, looking to control the center circle. Carson countered a Lilledahl shot for a takedown of his own to open up an early 3-0 lead. Lilledahl worked his way to his feet to cut the lead to 3-1 at the 1:20 mark. Lilledahl and Carson battled in neutral through the :30 mark with Lilledahl continuing to shoot. But Carson was able to carry the 3-1 lead into the second period. Lilledahl, trailing by two, chose down to start the second and quick quickly reversed Carson to tie the bout 3-3. Lilledahl controlled the action on top through the 1:00 mark and forced a stall warning at :51. The Nittany Lion freshman built his riding time up over 1:00 with a strong ride and finished the period on top. Tied 3-3, Carson chose neutral to start the third period. Lilledahl continued to move forward, forcing Carson backwards, until the Lion turned a low single into a takedown and a 6-3 lead at 1:31. Lilledahl took a 7-3 lead on a second stall call and clinched his riding time point. Lilledahl picked up another stall point with :10 left and, with 3:00 in riding time, rolled to the 9-3 win.
133: Sophomore Braeden Davis, ranked No. 10 at 133, met No. 5 Nassir Bailey. Davis fought off an early Bailey shot, maintaining neutral through a quick tie-up to keep the bout scoreless at 2:25. The top ten duo then worked the center of the mat through the 2:00 mark. Davis and Bailey battled on their feet through the :30 mark and eventually to the end of the opening period. With the score tied 0-0 after one, Davis chose down to start the second period. Davis swiftly scrambled his way to an escape and a 1-0 lead just seconds into the period. Davis held good position in the center of the mat, hand fighting with Bailey through the 1:00 mark. The duo finished the period on their feet and Davis led 1-0 after two. Trailing by one, Bailey chose neutral to start the third period. Davis battled to maintain position and nearly connected on a high shot at the :55 mark. Bailey was able to step away and the duo returned to the center circle. With the clock hitting the :40 mark, Davis fought off a Bailey shot and worked the clock down to the :23 mark. Davis took a slight shot at :15, Bailey countered, and Davis did the same. Davis finished the bout in neutral and, on the power of a second period escape, posted the thrilling 1-0 win.
141: Senior+ Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 3 at 141, took on Cole Minnick. Bartlett patiently worked on his feet for the first half of the opening stanza, eventually connecting on a shot to take a 3-0 lead. The Lion built up :30 in riding time before Minnick escaped to a 3-1 score. Bartlett finished the opening period on his feet and led 3-1 after one. Minnick chose down to start the middle period and escaped to a 3-2 score. Bartlett quickly turned a low shot into a second takedown and cut to lead 6-3 at the 1:30 mark. Bartlett went back to his offense and blew through a low double leg to open up a 9-3 lead at the :456 mark. Bartlett cut Minnick loose again and finished off the period with another late takedown to lead 12-4 after two. Bartlett chose neutral to start the third period and sprawled his way to another takedown to start the period. He quickly locked Minnick’s shoulders, turned him to his back, and picked up the pin at the 5:23 mark.
149: Sophomore Shayne Van Ness, ranked No. 2 at 149, battled No. 16 Jordan Williams. Williams got in deep on a shot at the 1:40 mark, forcing a scramble that wound the clock down towards the 1:00 mark before Van Ness was able to regain his feet and action resumed in neutral. Van Ness fought off another Williams shot, nearly countered for a takedown of his own, but gave up the takedown to trail 3-0 at :26. Van Ness steadily worked his way to an escape to cut the lead to 3-1 after one. Trailing by two, Van Ness chose down to start the second period. He quickly worked his way to an escape to cut the Williams lead to 3-2 at the 1:45 mark. Van Ness began to string together multiple shots, but Williams was able to push the Lion backwards through the 1:00 mark, holding ton to the lead. Van Ness snapped his way to a takedown at the 1:00 mark, opening up a 5-3 lead. He then turned Williams on the edge of the mat, rolling the Trojan grappler flat and getting the fall at the 4:39 mark.
157: Sophomore Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 4 at 157, wrestled No. 20 Matty Bianchi. Kasak set the offensive tempo early in the bout, forcing Bianchi towards the outside circle. Bianchi defended a Kasak shot at the 1:50 mark, moving out of bounds and resetting the action in neutral. Kasak continued to press Bianchi backwards, chasing the Trojan down until turning a fast high double into a takedown and a 3-0 lead with :49 on the clock. Bianchi was able to scramble his way to an escape at the :25 mark, cutting Kasak’s lead to 3-1. Bianchi chose down to start the second period. Kasak controlled the action through the 1:20 mark, building up over 1:00 in riding time with a strong ride. Bianchi scrambled to an escape after a reset, cutting Kasak’s lead to 3-2. Kasak had 1:12 in riding time. Kasak worked neutral in the center circle for the rest of the period and led 3-2 after two. Kasak chose down to start the third period. Bianchi was able to maintain control of Kasak through the 1:40 mark, killing Kasak’s time edge. Kasak escaped after a reset to a 4-2 lead at 1:32. With the clock moving below 1:00, Kasak kept the Trojan’s feet touching the outside circle. Kasak maintained position in the center of the mat, fighting off late Bianchi shots as the clock hit :15. Kasak finished the bout on his feet and posted the hard-fought 4-2 win.
165: Sophomore Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 1 at 165, faced No. 21 Joey Bianchi. Mesenbrink scored first, taking Bianchi down to lead 3-1 after a quick Bianchi escaped in the first minute of the bout. Mesenbrink skipped away from a quick Bianchi shot at 1:30, moved in with a low single and took a 6-1 lead with a second takedown. Mesenbrink then went to work from the top position, building up riding time while locking up an arm bar in an effort to turn the Trojan. Bianchi fought off the back points and Mesenbrink led 6-1 with 1:19 in time after one. Mesenbrink chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 7-1 lead. Mesenbrink forced Bianchi out of bounds and then scored off the reset to lead 10-1 at the 1:15 mark. Mesenbrink spent the next minute-plus trying to turn Bianchi and picked up four late back points to lead 14-1 after two. Bianchi chose neutral to start the third period. Mesenbrink ended things quickly. The Nittany Lion forced a stall warning, then ended the bout with a takedown to notch the 17-1 tech Fall at 5:27.
174: Junior Levi Haines, ranked No. 2 at 174, met Kodiak Kennedy. Haines opened up an early lead, taking Kennedy down to lead 3-0. Haines went to work for back points but slipped through the move and Kennedy notched a reversal, cutting the lead to 3-2. Haines was able to escape in the latter seconds of the period and led 4-2 after one. Trailing by two, Kennedy chose down to start the second period. Haines went to work on top. The Nittany Lion junior cranked the Trojan to his back, picking up three near fall points. After potentially dangerous forced a reset, Haines went back to work on top, working Kennedy over to his back again. Haines picked up a four point turn to lead 11-2 at :20. Haines chose neutral to start the third, took Kennedy down, and then ended the match with a four-point turn, winning 18-2 at 5:33.
184: Graduate Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 184, battled Tristan Wills. Starocci scored quickly, taking Wills down in the opening minute to lead 3-0. Starocci worked from the top position, building up solid riding time before cutting Wills loose to a 3-1 score at 1:04. Starocci used a high single to take Wills down again, upping his lead to 6-1 with :20 on the clock. Starocci finished the period on top and led 6-1 after one. Starocci chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 7-1 lead. Wills took a solid shot at 1:30 but Starocci countered for his third takedown and led 10-1. He forced a stall warning at :42. Starocci turned Wills to his back and picked up four back points late to lead 14-1 after two. Wills chose neutral to start the third. Starocci quickly ended the match. The Nittany Lion took Wills down quickly and rolled to the 17-1 tech fall at 5:37.
197: Redshirt freshman Josh Barr, ranked No. 7 at 197, faced No. 5 Stephen Little. The ranked duo worked in neutral through the first minute, battling in the center of the mat. Little took a slight shot at 1:34 and Barr countered for control. Barr spent :30 trying to pull Little back in bounds, but the Trojan was able to force a reset out of bounds with :55 on the clock. Barr and Little finished the period in neutral and the match moved to the second knotted in a scoreless tie. Little chose down to start the second period. Little scrambled to an escape and a 1-0 lead in the opening seconds but called for injury time and went into concussion protocol at 1:50 (meaning there would be no choice on the reset). After a brief pause, action resumed with Little up by one. Barr continued to force Little backwards, working multiple shots and forcing the Trojan backwards. Little took a slight shot at :40 but Barr quickly stepped away from contact and the Nittany Lion trailed 1-0 after two. Barr chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie. Barr battled in the middle of the mat, fighting off a Little shot at 1:15. As the clock hit :30, action remained in neutral in the center circle. Barr and Little moved to sudden victory tied 1-1. Barr shot high at 1:30 and Little was able to step away from contact. Barr forced a reset at :55 with a strong shot. Little took a strong shot that Barr fought off himself and action was reset with :32 on the clock. Barr immediately moved in on a low shot, getting control of Little’s ankle. He moved forward, grabbed a second foot, and ended the bout with a takedown. Barr’s late effort gave the Nittany Lion a thrilling 4-1 (sv) win over fifth-ranked Little.
285: Senior+ Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 2 at 285, met Keith Miley. Kerkvliet made short work of the Trojan big man. The Nittany Lion senior blew through an initial takedown, opening up a 3-0 lead early in the first period. He then settled in on offense, turning Miley for four back points to lead 7-0 early. Kerkvliet reset, turned Miley once more to lead 11-0, and reset again. Kerkvliet then ended the match early with one last four-point turn to pick up the 15-0 technical fall at 1:40.