COLLEGE PARK, MD. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling crew (12-0, 8-0 B1G) moved 9 wrestlers into the semifinals of the 2024 Massive Ten Championships with a improbable first session on the College of Maryland. Head coach Cael Sanderson‘s squad has certified 9 wrestlers for the 2024 NCAA Championships in two weeks.
Penn State entered the match with six top-two seeds, all of whom earned byes within the first spherical (5 first, one second). Penn State’s present listing of NCAA qualifiers for the NCAA Championships in two seeks are: Braeden Davis, 125; Aaron Nagao, 133; Beau Bartlett, 141; Tyler Kasak, 149; Levi Haines, 157; Mitchell Mesenbrink, 165; Bernie Truax, 184; Aaron Brooks, 197; Greg Kerkvliet, 285. Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, took an damage default in his quarterfinal bout, dropping into comfort motion.
True freshman Braeden Davis, ranked No. 9 at 125, took on Illinois’ Justin Cardani within the first spherical. Davis battled the Illini even for the opening minute-plus, with every wrestler working the middle of the mat. The primary interval led to a scoreless tie. Davis selected down to start out the second interval and, after some work, reversed Cardani to his again to open up a 6-0 lead with :50 left within the second. He led 6-1 after two durations. Cardani pressured a scramble that lasted for over a minute earlier than a reset stopped motion at :25. Davis zipped in on a low shot for a late takedown and added two nearfall factors to roll into the quarterfinals with an 11-1 main resolution.
He took on No. 5 Eric Barnett of Wisconsin within the quarterfinals. The duo labored the middle of the mat for :30 earlier than a scramble resulted in a Barnett takedown and a 3-0 rating. Davis gave up a penalty level on backside and trailed 4-0 earlier than escaping to a 4-1 rating at :41. Trailing 4-1, Davis selected down to start out the second interval. He scrambled his manner into management of Barnett’s proper leg and practically reversed him however settled for an escape and a 4-2 deficit. Davis labored his manner in on a low shot and muscled his solution to a takedown and two again factors because the interval ended to take a 7-4 lead. Wisconsin challenged the nearfall and it was overturned. Davis led 5-4 after two however Barnett had 2:25 in using time. Barnett selected down to start out the third interval and Davis went to work on prime. Davis was hit for a primary stall on the 1:18 mark as he tried to work the time edge off. Barnett scrambled for a late reversal to take a 5-4 lead after which Davis reversed the Badger late to take a 7-6 lead with simply :11 left. Barnett had using time and the bout moved to additional time tied 7-7. Early in sudden victory, Davis moved in on a deep single and started working his solution to a takedown. A penalty level was awarded to Davis on an unlawful maintain earlier than the takedown and the Nittany Lion true freshman moved into the semifinals with an 8-7 (sv) win.
Sophomore Aaron Nagao, ranked No. 11 at 133, took on Michigan State’s Andrew Hampton within the first spherical. He used an early takedown for a 3-0 lead within the opening seconds after which constructed up using time and turned Hampton for 4 and a 7-0 lead. Nagao completed the interval on prime and led 7-0 with practically 3:00 in using time after one. After a impartial begin to the second interval, Nago took Hampton down rapidly for a 10- lead. Together with his using time ticking over 4:00, Nagao completed on prime to hold the 10-0 lead into the third. Nagao completed the match with over 2:00 in using time and posted the 11-0 main resolution to advance to the quarterfinals.
He met No. 16 Jacob Van Dee io the quarterfinals. Nagao and Van Dee battled evenly for the primary two minutes earlier than the Nittany Lion notched the bout’s first takedown to steer 3-0. He completed the interval on prime and carried that lead into the second stanza. Van Dee selected impartial to start out the second interval and the duo battled evenly in impartial for the total two minutes of the second stanza. Main 3-0, Nagao selected down to start out the third interval and rapidly escaped to a 4-0 lead. He labored his manner in on a deep single and practically notched a second takedown, however Van Dee was in a position to escape out of bounds with 1:00 on the clock. Nagao continued to press on offense and compelled a late scramble. Van Dee managed to counter scramble for a final second takedown, however Nagao’s early work gave the Nittany Lion a 4-3 win and superior him to the semifinals.
Senior Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 1 at 141, acquired a primary spherical bye and took on No. 26 Jordan Hamdan of Michigan State within the quarterfinals. Bartlett labored the middle of the mat for the firs two minutes-plus, forcing the Spartan into protection because the opening interval performed out. The Nittany Lion was unable to interrupt by way of Hamdan’s protection and the bout moved to the second interval tied 0-0. Bartlett selected down to start out the second interval and rapidly escaped. He then moved in on a single for a quick takedown and a 4-0 lead. That rating held by way of the second interval. Hamdan selected down to start out the third and ultimately escaped to a 4-1 rating. He picked up a second level on a late stall, however Bartlett’s second interval burst was sufficient because the Nittany Lion senior moved into the semifinals with a 4-2 win.
True freshman Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 9 at 149, met Northwestern’s Aiden Vandenbush within the first spherical. Kasak labored the middle of the mat as the primary interval acquired began, taking a pair low pictures that pressured the Wildcat into protection. He countered a slight shot for a takedown and a 3-0 lead at 2:00. He rapidly turned Vandenbush for 4 again factors to open up a 7-0 lead. Kasak managed the motion from the highest place, working his time edge up over 1:00. He then labored the Cat to his again once more settled in for the primary interval fall, getting the pin at 2:48.
He took on No. 10 Dylan D’Emilio of Ohio State within the quarterfinals. Kasak was the aggressor in the course of the opening interval. The Nittany Lion true freshman acquired in deep on a single and practically scored after a minute’s value of labor, however D’Emilio was in a position to battle off the trouble. The Nittany Lion had a second probability late within the opening interval however as soon as once more D’Emilio blocked off the trouble and the bout moved to the second tied 0-0. D’Emilio selected down to start out the second interval and Kasak put collectively a powerful experience. The Nittany Lion freshman stored management of the Buckeye till the :43 mark earlier than D’Emilio escaped to a 1-0 rating. Trailing 1-0, Kasak selected down to start out the third interval and scrambled his solution to a fast reversal and a 2-1 lead, whereas sustaining using time benefit. D’Emilio escaped to a 2-2 tie at 1:37 however Kasak had 1:18 in using time. Kasak fought off a D’Emilio rally at 1:00, holding impartial as motion moved out of bounds. D’Emilio shot low on the Lion freshman at :15 however Kasak scrambled by way of the transfer and completed off the interval in impartial. His 1:18 in using time gave the Nittany Lion a 3-2 win and pushed him into the semifinals.
Sophomore Levi Haines, ranked No. 1 at 157, had a primary spherical bye and battled Northwestern’s Trevor Chumbley within the quarterfinals. Haines took a 3-0 lead on the 1:22 mark with a powerful mat return. He then went to work on prime, increase a 122 in using time with a powerful rideout to hold that lead into the second stanza. After a impartial begin to the second interval, Haines went to work within the heart of the mat. He picked up a stall level after which took Chumbley down a second time to open up a 7-0 lead at 1:03. Haines carried that lead into the third interval. Haines added a 3rd takedown and led 10-0, then acquired one other stall level to steer 11-0. He added a using time level with over 3:00 in time and rolled to a 12-0 main, shifting into the semifinals.
Freshman Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 5 at 165, acquired a primary spherical bye and met No. 31 Blaine Brenner of Minnesota within the quarterfinals. Mesenbrink got here out firing on offense. The Nittany Lion freshman took a 3-0 lead with a quick takedown and made it 6-1 halfway by way of the interval with a second. Mesenbrink labored his solution to a 3rd takedown earlier than the opening interval ended and led 9-2 after one. He selected down to start out the second interval and escaped to a 10-2 lead. Mesenbrink rapidly moved in for a fourth takedown to steer 13-2 after which labored Brenner’s shoulders to the mat for a fall. Mesenbrink moved into the semifinals with a pin on the 3:59 mark.
Senior Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, had a primary spherical bye and took on No. 30 Andrew Sparks of Minnesota within the quarterfinals. Starocci stepped on the mat for the requisite one second and took an damage default loss on the 6:59 mark and falls into comfort motion.
Graduate Bernie Truax, ranked No. 6 at 184, took on Chase Mielnik of Maryland within the opening spherical. Truax got here out firing on offense, taking a 3-0 lead simply :30 into the bout. He rapidly turned the Terrapin for 3 again factors and a 6-0 lead. After a Mielnik escape, Truax bulled by way of a low double for one more takedown and a 9-1 lead on the halfway level. He added 4 again factors for a 13-1 lead, added two close to fall after which completed off the tech fall with a ultimate 4 level flip, posting the 19-1 tech fall at 2:41.
He battled No. 17 Layne Malczewski of Michigan State within the quarterfinals. Truax scored rapidly, turning a low shot right into a takedown and a 3-0 lead. Malczewski escaped rapidly to a 3-1 rating and Truax went again to work in impartial. Truax labored the middle of the mat for the rest of the interval and led 3-1 after one. Malczewski selected down to start out the second stanza and escaped to a 3-2 Truax lead early within the interval. Truax paced the middle of the mat and prolonged his result in 6-2 with a powerful double on the finish of the interval. Truax selected down to start out the third interval and rapidly escaped to a 7-2 lead. He completed the match on his toes and moved into the semifinals with a powerful 7-2 win.
Senior+ Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 197, acquired a primary spherical bye and met Evan Bates of Northwestern within the quarters. Brooks labored the surface circle and completed off a takedown on the 2:01 mark, taking a 3-0 lead. The Nittany Lion picked up a second takedown halfway by way of the second and opened up a 6-1 lead. He completed the interval on prime, including three again factors late to steer 9-1 after one. Brooks selected down to start out the second interval and rapidly escaped to a 10-1 rating. Brooks upped his result in 13-1 with a takedown on the 1:15 mark. Bates selected down to start out the third interval and Brooks reduce him unfastened, rapidly moved in for one more takedown and led 16-3 at 1:35. Brooks completed off the technical fall with a ultimate takedown, posting the 19-3 tech at 5:50.
Senior Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 1 at 285, had a primary spherical bye and took on No. 30 Bennett Tabor of Minnesota within the quarterfinals. Kerkvliet took Tabor down rapidly and turned him for 3 again factors to open up a 6-0 lead within the opening minute. He maintained management of the Gopher and labored him to his again for one more 4 level flip to steer 10-0 at :35. The Nittany Lion senior completed the interval on prime and led 10-0 after one. Tabor selected down to start out the second interval. Kerkvliet labored his using time up over 3:00, picked up a stall level, after which completed off the tech fall with a ultimate 4 level flip early within the interval. He rolled into the semifinals with a 15-0 tech on the 3:25 mark.
The Nittany Lions went 13-1 within the first session and picked up 10.0 bonus factors off three majors, three technical falls and two pins. As of two:20 p.m., with comfort motion on-going however PSU accomplished for the day, the Nittany Lions lead the crew race with 83.5 factors. Michigan is in second at 70.5 with Iowa in third at 57.0.
The match continues tonight with the second session starting at 5 p.m. The semifinal portion of session two will start at roughly 7 p.m. The Championship concludes on Sunday with periods three and 4 at 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (finals and inserting bouts). The complete match shall be streamed dwell on B1G+. Saturday evening’s semifinals and Sunday’s finals are dwell on the Massive Ten Community.
The 2023-24 Penn State Wrestling season is introduced by the Household Clothesline. Penn State Followers are inspired to observe Penn State wrestling through X/twitter at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling’s Fb web page at www.fb.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. That is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives right here.
Penn State at 2024 Massive Ten Championship – Session 1
March 9, 2024 – School Park, Md. – College of Maryland, Host
Staff Standings (Prime three after session 1 at 2:20 p.m.)
1: PENN STATE – 83.5
2: Michigan – 70.5
3: Iowa – 57.0
Weight-by-weight agate (RANKINGS LISTED ARE INTERMAT as of two/27/24):
125: #9 Braeden Davis, Fr., Belleville, Mich./Dundee — #6 seed
Rd. 1: Justin Cardani, Illinois – W, 11-1 maj. dec.
Qtr: #5 Eric Barnett, Wisconsin – W, 8-7 (SV) dec.
Semis: #16 Michael DeAugustino, Northwestern – tonight
See above story for bout-by-bout recap
133: #11 Aaron Nagao, So., La Habra, Calif./Esperanza — #5 seed
Rd. 1: Andrew Hampton, Michigan State – W, 11-0 maj. dec.
Qtr: #16 Jacob Van Dee, Nebraska – W, 4-3 dec.
Semis: #5 Dylan Ragusin, Michigan – tonight
See above story for bout-by-bout recap
141: #1 Beau Bartlett, Sr., Tempe, Ariz./Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) — #1 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #26 Jordan Hamdan, Michigan State – W, 4-2 dec.
Semis: #10 Sergio Lemley, Michigan – tonight
See above story for bout-by-bout recap
149: #9 Tyler Kasak, Fr., Doylestown, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic — #4 seed
Rd. 1: Aidan Vandenbush, Northwestern – WBF (2:48)
Qtr: #10 Dylan D’Emilio, Ohio State – W, 3-2 dec.
Semis: #1 Ridge Lovett, Nebraska – tonight
See above story for bout-by-bout recap
157: #1 Levi Haines, So., Arendtsville, Pa./Biglerville — #1 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: Trevor Chumbley, Northwestern – W, 12-0 maj. dec.
Semi: #5 Jared Franek, Iowa – tonight
See above story for bout-by-bout recap
165: #5 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Fr., Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead — #2 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #31 Blaine Brenner, Minnesota – WBF (3:59)
Semis: #6 Mikey Caliendo, Iowa – tonight
See above story for bout-by-bout recap
174: #1 Carter Starocci, Sr., Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep — #1 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #30 Andrew Sparks, Minnesota – L, inj.def. (6:59)
Cn. 2: #32 Brody Baumann, Purdue — (tonight)
See above story for bout-by-bout recap
184: #6 Bernie Truax, Gr., Oceanside, Calif./Rancho Buena Vista — #3 seed
Rd. 1: Chase Mielnik, Indiana – W, 19-1 (TF; 2:41)
Qtr: #17 Layne Malczewski, Michigan State – W, 7-2 dec.
Semis: #3 Lenny Pinto, Nebraska – tonight
See above story for bout-by-bout recap
197: #1 Aaron Brooks, Sr+., Hagerstown, Pa./North Hagerstown — #1 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: Evan Bates, Northwestern – W, 19-3 (TF; 5:50)
Semis: #13 Silas Allred, Nebraska – tonight
See above story for bout-by-bout recap
285: #1 Greg Kerkvliet, Sr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley — #1 seed
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #30 Bennett Tabor, Minnesota – W, 15-0 (TF; 3:25)
Semis: #12 Yaraslau Slavikouski, Rutgers – tonight
See above story for bout-by-bout recap