TULSA, Okla. — Penn State continued its dominance at the NCAA Wrestling Championships Thursday morning, sending eight into the Round of 16 at the BOK Center.
At 133 pounds, No. 1 graduate Roman Bravo-Young (17-0) continues his great season. He won a 12-3 major decision over No. 33 Appalachian State’s Ethan Oakley (21-12).
At 141, No. 6 junior Beau Bartlett (21-3) easily handled No. 27 Campbell senior Shannon Hanna (24-9) in a 9-2 major decision after riding time.
In probably Penn State’s most exciting match of the day, No. 12 redshirt freshman Shayne Van Ness (20-6) found himself down 8-0 to No. 21 Ethen Miller of Maryland (26-8) after the first period at 149 pounds. Van Ness made two takedowns and then pinned Miller at 6:26 in the third period to complete the comeback. He beat Miller earlier this season as well in a 19-4 tech fall decision on Feb. 12.
Completing the comeback… #PSUwr pic.twitter.com/SsgoTUSb6A
— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) March 16, 2023
At 157 pounds, No. 2 freshman Levi Haines (21-1) had no problem with No. 31 Lock Haven redshirt senior Ashton Eyler (29-13). He won in a 10-3 decision after riding time.
No. 1 junior Carter Starocci (20-0) stayed undefeated. He got a quick pin at 1:21 against No. 33 Clarion redshirt sophomore John Worthing (24-11) at 174 pounds.
No. 3 senior Aaron Brooks (13-1) controlled his match with No. 30 Chattanooga senior Matthew Waddell (17-8) and won a 13-4 major decision at 184 pounds.
No. 9 senior Max Dean (21-3) used two takedowns and two escapes to beat No. 24 Campbell redshirt senior Levi Hopkins (23-9) in a 6-1 decision at 197 pounds.
No. 3 junior Greg Kerkvliet (16-2) pinned No. 30 Purdue redshirt first-year Hayden Copass (8-10) just 34 seconds into their match in the heavyweight class, for Penn State’s second pin of the morning.
Only No. 13 redshirt first-year Alex Facundo (18-5) lost for the Penn State in the Round of 32. No. 20 Pitt redshirt senior Holden Heller (15-6) got two takedowns and managed to fight of Facundo’s attacks to earn the 5-3 decision.
The Round of 32 and Consolations start Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. EST. Nittany Sports Now will have nonstop coverage the next three days of the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Here is the Penn State schedule for Thursday night.
Round of 32
133-No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young vs. No. 17 Chattanooga’s Brayden Palmer (21-6)
141-No. 6 Beau Bartlett vs. No. 11 San Diego State’s Clay Carlson (23-8)
149-No. 12 Shayne Van Ness vs. No. 5 Iowa State’s Paniro Johnson (18-4)
157-No. 2 Levi Haines vs No. 15 Wyoming’s Jacob Wright (19-5)
174-No. 1 Carter Starocci vs No. 17 Indiana’s Donnell Washington (23-7)
184-No. 3 Aaron Brooks vs No. 14 Clarion’s Will Feldkamp (25-4)
197-No. 9 Max Dean vs No. 8 Nebraska’s Sam Allred (27-5)
285-No. 3 Greg Kerkvliet vs. No. 14 San Diego State’s AJ Nevills (20-6)
Consolations
165-No. 13 Alex Facundo vs. No. 4 Cornell’s Julian Ramirez (23-4)
