Here are five takeaways from the Penn State-Ohio State wrestling dual meet Friday night PSU’s 28-9 win over the OSU.
PENN STATE WRESTLING: BRAEDEN DAVIS ABSOLUTELY GOT AWAY WITH ONE
The freshman has been unbelievable all season. He’s now 14-0 and has skyrocketed to No. 3 in the 125-pound InterMat rankings. Davis led 4-3 late in his bout with Ohio State’s Vinny Kilkeary. Kilkeary looked to have got a takedown before time expired. Even after video review, the no call stood, even though it looked like Kilkeary had the call in time.
https://x.com/pennstateWREST/status/1753565597885997189?s=20
Even had Kilkeary been given the takedown and won the match, Penn State still would have won 25-12. But since reaction time is a thing in wrestling now, it’s fair to wonder how much time you need for a reaction. Davis has been outstanding and could even be an All-American this season out of nowhere, but he should have had an L in this one.
2. PENN STATE WRESTLING: BEAU BARTLETT SHINES ON BIG STAGE
There was another close call in the premier bout of the evening with Beau Bartlett and Jesse Mendez at 141 pounds. Ohio State head coach Tom Ryan threw the challenge brick again, and once again didn’t get the call. As much as I thought Davis got beat, I also felt that Bartlett earned his takedown and the win.
More importantly, it might have been one of Bartlett’s most important matches of his career as far as dual meets go. He hadn’t exactly looked his best as of late, but he got a really big win over Mendez.
3. PENN STATE WRESTLING: BERNIE TRUAX GIVES UP A FALL
It happens in wrestling. You get caught every once in a while. That happened to Bernie Traux at 184 against Ohio State’s Ryder Rogotzke. Truax will be fine. We have to remember he was up 9-3 before being pinned.
4. TYLER KASAK CONTINUES TO FILL IN NICELY
You would think the true freshman will be the guy at 149 pounds in the postseason now. Why not? He’s continued to impress since filling in for Shayne Van Ness. He was the night’s Ridge Reilly Award winner after beating the Ohio State’s ninth-ranked Dylan D’Emilio 7-2.
Kasak was ranked 12th coming into the night and now he could move into the top 10. If that would be the case, it would be probable that all 10 Penn State starters would be ranked in the top 10 in their respective weight classes.
5. EXPECT FRIDAY’S LINEUP TO BE THE POSTSEASON LINEUP
Cael Sanderson said there would have to be some decisions made with Davis in giving up his redshirt. That redshirt was thrown out. Kasak’s redshirt was also burned on Friday night. There aren’t really any more question marks out there, so that should mean these are the guys for the postseason.
It’s also important to note it was the first time this season all the starters competed in a dual meet together this season. It was a good night for it. Rec Hall was packed with what was probably its best crowd of the season.
BONUS TAKEAWAY: NEXT WEEK’S DUAL MEET IS THE BIGGEST OF THE SEASON
I know what you’re thinking. Duh. The Iowa meet is always the biggest one.
The thing to consider is Ohio State probably put up the biggest fight of any opponent so far this season to Penn State. Iowa is still a really good team even without its full lineup this year. Is it going to be close?
I don’t think so. It might be a little closer than the Ohio State score, but my bet is Penn State will win comfortably.
Penn State is, far and away, better than everyone.
