Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson provided updates on two of the team’s stars that dealt with injuries earlier this year.
Tyler Kasak (157) and Josh Barr (197) each suffered injuries at this year’s U.S. Open in April.
But Sanderson confirmed at PSU’s local media day Tuesday in Rec Hall that they’re expected to be good to go.
“They’re both doing fine,” Sanderson said. “They were temporary injuries, weeks, not months. They’ve both been back competing hard for a while.”
Kasak is projected to be Penn State’s starter at 157 pounds, with FloWrestling ranking him No. 2 behind defending national champ Landon Robindeau from Oklahoma State. Last season, he redshirted behind freshman phenom PJ Duke.
Now, Flo ranks Duke No. 1 at 165, which would open the door for Kasak to be back at 157.
“It was tough redshirting Tyler last year because he’s such a competitor,” Sanderson said. “He’s a big-match guy.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Former Iowa wrestler Jacori Temmer would attest to that.
“He’s fun to have in the lineup because he’s fun to watch wrestle,” Sanderson said. “He’s just a tough kid. It’s nice to have him back.”
It’s nice to have Barr back, as well.
If not for his own teammate, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Barr would have had a strong case to be best pound-for-pound wrestler in the country last year.
Mesenbrink is back this year (projected to move from 165 to 174) so that will make it tougher for Barr to win his first Hodge. But anything worth doing is difficult, even if Penn State wrestling makes the sport look easier than it is.
