Last evening’s dual meet against Iowa provided me the most fun I’ve had at a dual since the 19-18 win against Ohio State on February 3, 2018. I will always consider Iowa a worthy opponent, and the environment and wrestling lived up to its billing, as the crowd of 15,998 (ties indoor attendance record) was loud and proud and the wrestling fabulous. I’ve tried to capture a few thoughts about the bouts last evening, a brief summary of the season so for the nine starters that wrestled, and what’s ahead. After that I’ll end on a few comments that made the day extra special for me.
125: Luke Lilledahl (12-1) broke out the offense in a big way, dominant in a technical fall victory against #23 Cruz. It was his most impressive offensive explosion on the season, as his other five tech falls were against lesser competition. His best win on the season is against #6 Smith (NEB), as Lilledahl won’t have a great resume by season’s end. Yet to come is #16 McCrone (tOSU), as the highest ranked opponent yet to wrestle in the regular season. Can only wrestle the guy they put in front of you, so thus far the season is a success, the schedule just didn’t provide Lilledahl with many top guys. The postseason shall be interesting, as the competition will get tougher for Lilledahl. Still he likes the limelight and isn’t fazed by pressure. The Peterson loss is in the rearview mirror.
141: Beau Bartlett (13-0) won in workmanlike fashion. Nothing fancy, just a solid never-in-trouble four point win. Has season wins against #4 Hardy (NEB), #12 Edmonds (MIZZ) and #15 Olivieri (RUT), so a decent resume so far. Upcoming bouts against #11 Lemley (MICH), #1 Mendez (tOSU) and #16 Pucino (ILL), so he has his work cut out. The Mendez bout will be good fun, and they may face each other three times this season.
149: Shayne Van Ness (12-1) put on a show against #4 Parco (#2 on Intermat). A close 4-4 bout in the first period ended as a major decision for Van Ness as the crowd was going bananas. Solid, solid, dominating win against a very talented opponent. Van Ness has already put the #2 Lovett (NEB) loss behind him. This win, against Parco was by far his best win of the season. He has #9 D’Emilio (tOSU) and #15 Webster (ILL) ahead, among others before the postseason.
157: Tyler Kasak (13-0) also put on a show, defeating #1 Teemer by decision. Teemer may be the quickest wrestler I've seen ths year when he decides to go. Kasak could be #1 when the next rankings are released. This was obviously Kasak’s best win in an undefeated season thus far. He’s also beaten #4 Taylor (NEB) and teammate Facundo. The top three at 157, Kasak, Shapiro and Teemer have separated themselves from the pack, so winning is important to secure the #1 seed at NCAA’s. Long way to go…just giving perspective. Yet to wrestle are #6 Miller (MD), #16 Saldate (MICH) and #19 Sasso (tOSU, gives me goosebumps just seeing Sasso on the mat!!), so he has work to do before Big Ten’s.
165: Mitchell Mesenbrink (one “s”!!!) 14-0, was his usual high energy self, winning by technical fall – against the #2 kid in the country!! I can’t remember this much separation between a #1 wrestler and the field in quite a while. Mesenbrink also has a tech fall win against #9 Wilson (NEB), and has #13 Gallagher (tOSU) and #14 Mantanona yet to wrestle in the regular season. Fellow fans…Don’t take Mesenbrink (or others, for that matter) for granted, ever. The sport he is making look easy is not easy at all.
174: Levi Haines (12-1) came within five seconds of a major decision win against #6 Kennedy, winning by 7 points. No flair, just solid wrestling from Haines. And remember, he is up two weight classes from last season. Other best wins so far are against #14 Pinto (NEB) and #20 Turley (RUT), and he has a loss to #1 O’Toole. No shame at all in the O’Toole loss. The Mizzou wrestler is currently injured. I hope for his return by the postseason. Yet-to-come is #5 Kharchla (tOSU), who beat Kennedy in similar fashion. That should be a great bout, with Haines favored.
184: Carter Starocci (13-0) struggled to score against Ferrari, winning by decision with no takedowns. It is always tough wrestling a guy that backs up and plays defense mostly, but Cael has said that a wrestler needs to find a way when that is the case. Starocci’s best win this season is #7 Allred (NEB), a bout he dominated. Yet to wrestle are #10 Smith (MD), #12 Ruth (ILL) and #18 Rogotzke (tOSU) before the postseason.
197: Josh Barr (12-1) lost by decision to the #1 ranked wrestler in the country. It was a one takedown bout, my opinion being that Buchanan won it in the second period with a sustained ride that sapped Barr’s energy. I know Barr is a high energy guy, but give credit to Buchanan, as being ridden takes more energy than riding. Otherwise, why ride? I believe this result could be reversed in the postseason, as Barr was right there with him. No rest for Barr, as he gets #3 Cardenas (MICH) next weekend and #13 Braunagel to end the conference regular season.
285: Greg Kerkvliet (13-0) won by major decision against #10 Kueter, the Iowa football-player-turned-wrestler. It was a dominant win in a season of dominating wins. Kerkvliet’s highest ranked win though was 2-0 against #8 Slavikouski, though it appears there is more to this story (I’ll stop there). Kerkvliet has a solid four Big Ten bouts ahead, against #11 Heindselmann (MICH), #12 Nevills (MD), #7 Feldman (tOSU) and #9 Luffman (ILL). Win those, which he should, and he’ll surely be on the other side of the bracket at Big Ten’s from Steveson (MINN).
To end, I’d like to shout out to a few of my wrestling friends, and two NEW friends, for the enjoyable afternoon yesterday. It is not just about the wrestling to me, it is also about the many, many folks I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and spending time with over the past 50 years+ of following Penn State wrestling. Yesterday, before the match, our gathering included Mrs. Roar, hlstone, PSUPaul and his wife and son, my brother and two new acquaintances. It was a pleasure meeting johnstownsteel and Mrs. johnstownsteel, been looking forward to this for a very long time. GREAT TIME! Thanks all!
