Penn State wrestling closes out regular season with drubbing of American University
Another regular season has come and gone for Penn State’s wrestling team, with the same results.
Another unblemished mark, making it five consecutive years without a single dual loss.
American University was the Nittany Lions’ counterpart Friday night in a dual that Penn State’s wrestlers dominated in a 50-3 Senior Night rout.
The Nittany Lions won nine of 10 bouts, recording bonus-points in all of those victories. They tallied five pins and four technical falls.
While Penn State fans had much to cheer for all night, Centre County wrestling fans had a little extra, with Bald Eagle Area graduate Coen Bainey competing in Rec Hall on American’s team.
“I was really enjoying the moment just being out there on the mat, but then again, it is just another wrestling match. You have to take it one at a time and keep going,” Bainey said. “No matter the situation ... you can take it in, but at the same time, you still have to have that vision. You have to lock in and be ready for the match.
“I didn’t really get to enjoy it too much today, but next time, I’m planning on changing that.”
He faced off against Penn State’s Luke Lilledahl at 125 pounds. Lilledahl rattled off six takedowns over the course of the bout to spoil Bainey’s return home in a 20-3 technical fall in 5:11.
Bainey’s teammate Raymond Lopez used a takedown with 12 seconds left in the third period to secure a 9-7 win over Kyison Garcia. It was the lone victory for the Eagles.
From there, it was all about the Nittany Lions continuing the bonus-point trend.
Beau Bartlett, who was one of nine seniors to be honored before the match, came out with a fire against Elijah White. The No. 1 wrestler in the country snapped off six first period takedowns to grab a commanding 18-5 lead.
The second period saw Bartlett record a takedown right away for the 21-5 technical fall in 3:19.
“I don’t know if I’ve taken more than one shot in a match before. Most of my college career, I kind of just struggled with people see what they think they see,” Bartlett said of his final Rec Hall performance. “It’s like imposter syndrome, not knowing if I knew how to wrestle, even times where I was wrestling good or being surrounded by a bunch of great wrestlers, second guessing what I should do, how I should train, and what I should eat.
“Recently, I’ve just gone back to what I did in high school daily. How much I sleep, how much I’m eating, I trust that. At the end of the day, everyone can help me, but a lot of it’s in my hands. I owe it to myself to send it.”
Shayne Van Ness followed Bartlett with a 16-1 technical fall in 5:51. Tyler Kasak made a return to the lineup with an emphatic pin of Devon Capato in 2:19. The Nittany Lions then led 21-3 at the break.
Mitchell Mesenbrink recorded his 15th technical fall of the year out of the break, when he rolled up a 19-2 win on Kaden Millheim in 5:20.
Penn State began a pin parade to close out the dual.
Levi Haines put Breon Phifer into a bow-and-arrow in the second period, when Phifer’s foot touched his head. Haines collected the fall in 3:41.
Carter Starocci, who competed in his last Rec Hall match, made it memorable with a pin of Lucas White in 2:21.
“I love wrestling in Rec Hall, Bryce Jordan Center or anywhere in State College,” Starocci said. “For me, I just love wrestling in general. It’s very special to always walk out there in Rec Hall. (The fans) kind of get your style and things like that. They’re always cheering, so it’s always good.”
Josh Barr built up a 10-1 lead on Liam Volk-Klos at 197 pounds before sticking him in 1:09. It was the fastest fall of the night for the Nittany Lions.
The dual came to a close with Greg Kerkvliet ending his Rec Hall career with a pin of Emmanuel Ulrich in 2:47.
Now, Penn State turns it focus toward the Big Ten Championship on March 8-9 in Evanston, Ill. at Northwestern University.
“I think the team’s in good position and good shape. We’re happy and healthy, and excited for the postseason,” Nittany Lions coach Cael Sanderson said.
No. 1 Penn State 50, American 3
Friday at University Park
125: No. 9 Luke Lilledahl, PSU, tech. fall Coen Bainey, 20-3 (5:11)
133: Raymond Lopez, A, dec. Kyison Garcia, 9-7
141: No. 1 Beau Bartlett, PSU, tech. fall Elijah White, 21-5 (3:19)
149: No. 2 Shayne Van Ness, PSU, tech. fall Gage Owen, 16-1 (5:51)
157: No. 1 Tyler Kasak, PSU, pinned Devon Capato, 2:19
165: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, PSU, tech. fall Kaden Millheim, 19-2 (5:20)
174: No. 2 Levi Haines, PSU, pinned Breon Phifer, 3:41
184: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU, pinned Lucas White, 2:21
197: No. 2 Josh Barr, PSU, pinned Liam Volk-Klos, 1:09
285: No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet, PSU, pinned Emmanuel Ulrich, 2:47
Takedowns: A 2, PSU 35
Records: American (10-10), Penn State (15-0)
Next match: Penn State at Big Ten Championships, Evanston, Ill., March 8-9
