This Penn State wrestling senior class is one of the most successful in the history of the sport.
The last time Penn State lost a dual meet was Jan. 31, 2020 at Iowa. The only two members of the current PSU wrestling team that were on that team that last lost a dual meet are Carter Starocci and Greg Kerkvliet. Both of them were in their first-year redshirt seasons.
The rest of the senior class has never seen a dual meet loss while at Penn State, although Kurt McHenry wrestled for four years at Michigan before coming to Penn State for his last two seasons of eligibility. Timothy Levine also transferred in from Brown during the 2022-23 season.
“It’s a great group. We want them to finish where they want to finish,” PSU coach Cael Sanderson said. “I think I say this every year. I’m not sad when the guys leave. I think the point is you get in here, you take care of business, and you move on with your life. Of course we’re going to miss them. No one is going to be replaced. You just find kids that want to be here and want to work hard and be the best in the world. We’re really happy and grateful for this senior class.”
PSU just wrapped another Big Ten regular season championship, which they’ve won at least a share since the 2020-21 season.
“You want to compete well as a team,” Sanderson said. “That’s kind of what it’s all about. As we put the team first, individual success will come as well. We really value doing well in those dual meets, especially in the conference. We’re happy. We’re excited.”
Starocci will exit Penn State as one of the most decorated college wrestlers of all-time, especially if he wins his fifth NCAA title in March. He has become someone that wrestlers would want to become in the future.
“You’re looking at different people, you say, ‘What can I take away from this guy?,’” Sanderson said. “When the whistle blows, he’s moving forward. He obviously has a strong belief in himself. He goes out there and he does what he intends to do. There’s no hesitation.”
Kerkvliet has also put together a nice career, coming away with his first national championship last season. He would probably have to do the unthinkable in college wrestling in beating Minnesota’s Gable Steveson if Kerkvliet to win a second title.
Beau Bartlett came up just short of a national championship last season but will have one more chance to do it again this year.
Toss in contributions from McHenry, Levine, Aurelius Dunbar, David Evans, and Matt Lee, and it’s one of the most successful senior classes in college wrestling history.
At least for now. There’s always the chance there’s more to come for Penn State wrestling under Sanderson.
“(The years) go fast,” Sanderson said. “Every day you’re in here grinding and scrapping, but as a whole, you look back and say, ‘Wow. It went fast.’ It’s just the way it’s going to be. Spring and summer is going to go fast. We’ll be back here talking about next season before you know it. I think that just helps keep things in perspective.”
