Penn State caps off undefeated dual season as Brady Berge makes return at new weight
Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson may have let the cat out of the bag earlier than expected after the Ohio State dual about Brady Berge’s status for the postseason.
On Sunday, the plan began to get rolling as Berge made a return to his weight from last season — 157 pounds — for the Nittany Lions in a 45-0 rout of Rider to close out the regular season.
Sanderson mentioned after the dual that the plan wasn’t for Berge to go at 157 pounds for the postseason, but Berge felt he was a little “undersized” to compete at 165.
“The last time he was down there was the national tournament,” Sanderson explained. “I think he feels better and stronger at (1)57. At (1)65, he has to work hard to keep his weight up, where at (1)57, I think is a better fit for him.”
Berge, who was making a return to the lineup after missing the previous two duals, was also one of 10 wrestlers to be recognized during Senior Day. Creighton Edsell, Drew Hildebrandt, Roman Bravo-Young and Nick Lee, who were all part of the dual, were also celebrated on the day.
Berge hit the mat first because he ended up wrestling an extra match in an attempt to be able to get five total matches at the new weight, which would enable him to be eligible for the NCAA Championships at 157. To put that into context, a wrestler can get a conference’s automatic bid as long as they have five matches at their competing weight and finish in the conference’s allocated spots. So if the Big Ten is allocated seven automatic bids for the NCAA Championships, Berge would have to finish in the top seven at the Big Ten Championships in two weeks.
Berge got things kicked off with a bang for Penn State on Sunday by racking up a 14-4 major decision on Cole McComas. Berge had two takedowns apiece in each of the three periods and looked comfortable and free flowing.
In Berge’s extra match, he again took on McComas, and the result was almost identical. Berge captured a 16-5 major decision.
“I think he’s done a nice job. He’ll follow a plan strictly, and that’s what he’s done,” Sanderson said of Berge’s approach to the new weight and Sunday’s performance. “This was his first time down to weight, and then he was also the first match up. He had the least amount of recovery time, and still went out there and scored some points. I think he even looked better in that second match, which was good.”
Edsell followed Berge, and looked like he would continue the bonus-point train for the Nittany Lions as he raced out to a an early 4-1 lead on Michael Wilson. Wilson, though, kept attacking and managed to be down 6-5 after two periods of wrestling.
However, Edsell used his solid top game to amass enough riding time to secure a 7-6 decision.
Carter Starocci made his return to the lineup after missing the previous two duals as he’s been dealing with a wrist injury. The reigning NCAA champ had that wrist heavily taped, but it didn’t seem to faze him.
Starocci snapped off 10 total takedowns — four each in the first and third period — to secure a 22-9 major decision over Shane Reitsma at 174 pounds. Penn State led 11-0.
The performance almost made it seem like Starocci was ready for the postseason. He basically echoed those feelings.
“I’m ready right now. I’ll wrestle all 10 matches that’s left,” Starocci said. “I mean, let’s go. I’m kind of fired up.”
The Nittany Lions seemed fired up after Starocci’s victory too as they went on to claim the next five matches with all bonus points.
Donovon Ball filled in for Aaron Brooks at 184 pounds. It is a move that Sanderson is just a “short term” absence for Brooks. Ball filled in nicely by earning a 12-3 major decision over Corey Connolly.
Max Dean was back after missing the Nebraska dual and wasn’t on the mat very long. He took Azeem Bell down and pinned him with the bow and arrow in 54 seconds. Penn State led 21-0 at the break.
Greg Kerkvliet was also out there after it appeared he tweaked a hamstring in the Nebraska match. He too earned a pin in 1:11.
Hildebrandt followed with a third straight pin. His came just before the buzzer in the first period.
Bravo-Young looked like Jason Nolf in what could be his final Rec Hall dual, tallying 13 takedowns in a 26-11 technical fall. The Nittany Lions led 38-0.
Lee took on the lone ranked wrestler for Rider in No. 25 Quinn Kinner. Lee looked good out of the gate by recording two takedowns to hold a 4-2 lead after one period.
In the second period, Kinner showed off a solid top game, by riding Lee out for the entire period. Lee returned the favor in the third period, until Kinner escaped with 22 seconds left.
With an upset on his mind Kinner went for a winning takedown, but the crafty veteran in Lee countered for the score, and a 6-3 win. It was Lee’s 110th career win.
The dual ended with Beau Bartlett looking more offensive than usual in a 12-4 major decision.
“I think the guys did a lot of nice things, and scored a bunch of points. I think they wrestled well,” Sanderson said. “(We) got through healthy, and got some guys back that have been off the mat. They look good, so moving on.”
Notes: Other wrestlers recognized during the Senior Day celebration were Joey Blumer, Jake Campbell, Levko Higgins, Austin Hoopes and Mason Manville. ... Penn State captured a 46-2 takedown advantage. ... The Nittany Lions secured their second shutout of the season, which is the first time doing that since the 2016-2017 season. It was also the 19th shutout of Sanderson’s career while at Penn State.
No. 1 Penn State 45, Rider 0
Sunday at University Park
157: Brady Berge, PSU, major dec. Cole McComas, 14-4
165: Creighton Edsell, PSU, dec. Michael Wilson, 7-6
174: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU, major dec. Shane Reitsma, 22-9
184: Donovon Ball, PSU, major dec. Corey Connolly, 12-3
197: No. 1 Max Dean, PSU, pinned Azeem Bell, :54
285: No. 5 Greg Kerkvliet, PSU, pinned David Szuba, 1:11
125: No. 5 Drew Hildebrandt, PSU, pinned Tyler Klinksy, 2:59
133: No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young, PSU, tech. fall Richie Koehler, 26-11 (6:08)
141: No. 1 Nick Lee, PSU, dec. No. 25 Quinn Kinner, 6-3
149: No. 19 Beau Bartlett, PSU, major dec. Bryan Miraglia, 12-4
Extra matches
157: Berge, PSU, major dec. McComas, 16-5
Takedowns: R 2, PSU 46
Records: Rider (4-8), Penn State (17-0)
Next match: Penn State at Big Ten Championships, Lincoln, Neb., March 5-6
This story was originally published February 20, 2022 at 7:19 PM.
