Penn State wrestling wins 70th straight dual to claim Big Ten regular season crown
It has been over five years since Penn State’s wrestling team last lost a dual.
On Sunday, the Nittany Lions claimed their fifth straight Big Ten regular season dual title by crushing No. 13 Illinois, 29-9. The win was also Penn State’s 70th straight dual victory.
The Nittany Lions won seven bouts, and recorded bonus-points in five of them.
Luke Lilledahl (125 pounds), Shayne Van Ness (149), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165), Carter Starocci (184) and Josh Barr (197) were those wrestlers collecting bonus points for Penn State.
Lilledahl opened the dual by racking up a 19-3 technical fall in 4:19 on Caelen Riley. Van Ness had a 15-4 major decision over No. 14 Kannon Webster.
For just the fourth time this year, Mesenbrink didn’t record a technical fall. However, he still kept a perfect mark for bonus-point wins.
The No. 1 wrestler in the country tallied a 10-1 major decision over No. 14 Braeden Scoles.
Starocci had an unusual path to a win over No. 12 Edmond Ruth, who is the younger brother of Nittany Lions’ great Ed Ruth. Starocci’s constant pressure forced a disqualification victory as Edmond was called for too many stalls.
Barr faced four-time NCAA qualifier Zac Braunagel, who is ranked No. 17 in the country. The Penn State wrestler had no troubles by tallying a 15-4 major decision on Braunagel.
Nittany Lions fans got to see Joe Sealey (157) and Cole Mirasola (285) on the mat again as they filled in for starters Tyler Kasak and Greg Kerkvliet.
Both suffered losses, but showed that big things are in store for the future.
No. 1 Penn State 29, No. 13 Illinois 9
Sunday at Champaign, IL
125: No. 7 Luke Lilledahl, PSU, tech. fall Caelen Riley, 19-3 (4:19)
133: No. 4 Lucas Byrd, I, dec. No. 8 Braeden Davis, 7-1
141: No. 3 Beau Bartlett, PSU, dec. No. 17 Danny Pucino, 9-2
149: No. 2 Shayne Van Ness, PSU, major dec. No. 14 Kannon Webster, 15-4
157: No. 30 Jason Kraisser, I, dec. Joe Sealey, 2-1
165: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, PSU, major dec. No. 14 Braeden Scoles, 10-1
174: No. 2 Levi Haines, PSU, dec. No. 23 Danny Braunagel, 5-1
184: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU, disqualification No. 12 Edmond Ruth, 6:43
197: No. 3 Josh Barr, PSU, major dec. No. 17 Zac Braunagel, 15-4
285: No. 10 Luke Luffman, I, dec. Cole Mirasola, 4-0
Records: Penn State (14-0, 8-0 Big Ten), Illinois (9-4, 4-4 Big Ten)
Next match: American at Penn State, 7 p.m. Friday
