UNIVERSITY PARK– Penn State Wrestling had its annual Bryce Jordan Center dual meet, and in a stunning upset, it won.
Ok, it wasn’t an upset at all.
Penn State is supposed to win, and although a day will come when PSU doesn’t win a dual meet, there hasn’t been a day like that in more than four years and that’s not expected to change anytime soon.
Now, Penn State has mighty Nebraska to look forward to. The Huskers are ranked No. 3 in the country and will be coming into Rec Hall Sunday looking for a big upset. Although Nebraska has better odds than most, those odds still aren’t good.
Here’s how everything went down against Rutgers in a 35-3 romp at the BJC Monday night.
125 – It could be nothing, and it could be something, but Braeden Davis doesn’t seem to be nearly as aggressive as he was early in the season. With the match tied at 1 and Davis and Rutgers’ Dean Peterson both getting an escape, the two flurried for a long time but the buzzer sounded without any points being awarded. Davis got a quick takedown in overtime to take the 4-1 win in sudden victory.
133 – This was one of the projected tighter matches of the evening as sixth-ranked Aaron Nagao faced the Scarlet Knights’ 10th-ranked Dylan Shawver. Both wrestlers scored a takedown in the first period, but Nagao rode out Shawver as he took a 4-3 lead to the second period. Shawver took neutral to start the second period but no scoring happened. Nagao got an escape to start the third, but Shawver quickly got a takedown and Nagao escaped to tie the match. Even though there were mad scrambles throughout the rest of regulation, sudden victory was needed again. This time, Shawver got the better of Nagao and played to the crowd afterward with a 9-6 victory.
141 – Takedowns have been tough to come by in the early going for this one. Prior to this bout, Rutgers led 3-2 in the category. It was the same in this one as top-ranked beau Bartlett faced unranked Max Hermes. Bartlett finally got the late takedown with little time left in the third period to get the 4-1 victory.
149 – Tyler Kasak shook off the loss against Iowa’s Caleb Rathjan with a 7-5 victory. He got two takedowns in the first period and ended up needing every point of them against Rutgers’ Michael Cetta.
157 – Levi Haines made quick work of Rutgers’ Dylan Weaver, getting the fall at 1:31.
165 – Mitchell Mesenbrink was as good as he’s ever been with a 20-3 technical fall of Rutgers’ Anthony White. Mesenbring notched five takedowns in the bout and ended it with a near fall with four seconds left.
Penn State 20, Rutgers 3
174 – Terrell Barraclough took the place of Carter Starocci for this one. Barraclough has been outstanding in his limited time on the mat this season, and he had a good showing against Rutgers’ Jackson Turley. Barraclough reversed Turley in the second period to tie the match at 3 and worked his riding time up into the third period. A leg ride was too much for Turley to get out of, and Barraclough’s nearly three minutes of riding time gave him a 4-3 victory.
Penn State 23, Rutgers 3
184 – Bernie Truax was dominant against the Knights’ Shane Cartagena-Walsh, but it was frustrating for him. Cartagena-Walsh got hit with stalling three times in the bout. Truax earned a 7-0 victory.
Penn State 26, Rutgers 3
197 – Aaron Brooks continued to do what he does, picking up a pin in 1:45 of Rutgers’ Michael Toranzo.
Penn State 32, Rutgers 3
125 – Braeden Davis (PSU) dec. Dean Peterson (R, 4-1 SV. (3-0)
133 – Dylan Shawver (R) dec. Aaron Nagao (PSU), 9-6 SV. (3-3)
141 – Beau Bartlett (PSU) dec. Max Hermes (R), 4-1. (6-3)
149 – Tyler Kasak (PSU) dec. Michael Cetta (R), 7-5. (9-3)
157 – Levi Haines (PSU) pinned Dylan Weaver (R), 1:31. (15-3)
165 – Mitchell Mesenbrink (PSU) tech fall. Anthony White (R), 18-3 6:57. (20-3)
174 – Terrell Barraclough (PSU) dec. Jackson Turley (R), 4-3. (23-3)
184 – Bernie Truax (PSU) dec. Shane Cartagena-Walsh (R), 7-0. (26-3)
197 – Aaron Brooks (PSU) pinned Michael Toranzo (R), 1:45. (32-3)
