We don’t yet know when Penn State wrestling will have Tyler Kasak back but coach Cael Sanderson provided an encouraging update on the 157-pounder at Tuesday’s media availability.
“He’s doing really well,” Sanderson said. “He’s a tough kid, just kind of a physical specimen. I think he’s bouncing back really fast. We’re trying to hold him back kind of thing.”
Common sense suggests that the No. 1 wrestler at 157 will be held out of Friday’s regular-season finale against American at Rec Hall.
To be blunt, Penn State wrestling would pound American silly if it had Joe Sealey or even Joe Smeltzer at 157.
The bigger question is whether Kasak will be ready for the Big Ten Championships, scheduled for March 8-9 in Evanston, Illinois.
THE INJURY
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Tyler Kasak
Here’s the situation with Kasak’s injury.
On Super Bowl Sunday, Kasak went into concussion protocol during his bout with Maryland’s Ethan Miller and had to injury default.
Unfortunately, Kasak has been banged up multiple times this season. Against Iowa Jan. 31, he got cut, which led to one of the most iconic images in Penn State wrestling history.
Check out the full gallery here: https://t.co/81OCntE0Na https://t.co/UsHgYuxbIJ
— Sienna (@Siennakathryn_) February 1, 2025
Against Michigan a week later, he went into concussion protocol again but was able to finish and win the match.
But this time, he wasn’t able to continue.
Kasak’s health will certainly be worth monitoring.
If he is healthy, Kasak, who finished third at 141 as a true freshman last season, can win the whole thing at 157 this season.
‘HE SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO’
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Cael Sanderson
Going back to the afternoon of Kasak’s injury default, Sanderson sounded cautiously optimistic.
Here’s what Sanderson said about Kasak in his post-Maryland presser.
“We’re not entirely sure yet,” he said. “Obviously we have a long time before the conference (tournament) and whatever, but he should be good to go. He’s a tough dude… if he’s falling down like that and he’s hurting, he’s hurting, obviously.”
Kasak is 14-1 on the season with his only loss being via technicality to the injury.
