Penn State Wrestling results vs. Michigan: Grades, MVP from huge win
By Chris Snyder
Penn State Wrestling battles their way to victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor
The No. 3 Penn State Wrestling rolled into Ann Arbor on Valentine’s Day to hopefully shoot a non-loving arrow into the hearts of Michigan fans as they took on the No. 2 Wolverines. As I noted in my preview, this one was going to be filled with good match after good match.
The Nittany Lions left Michigan with Cael Sanderson’s 200th career victory.
The morning started off at 125 where … OH MY GOD!! Is that Robert Howard’s entrance music?!?! Penn State finally was able to trot out someone at 125 and Howard made his Nittany Lion debut facing off against Michigan’s Jack Medley. The result of this match, a hard fought 6-5 decision by Howard, set the tone for Penn State for the rest of the day.
RBY and Nick Lee each handled their business giving PSU an early 9-0 lead. Terrell Barraclough subbed in for Jarod Verkleeren at 149 and lost a difficult decision against No. 6 Kanen Storr giving Michigan’s its first points for the day (PSU 9 Michigan 3).
PSU and Michigan traded wins at 157 and 165 as No. 19 Brady Berge topped No. 8 Will Lewan and No. 8 Joe Lee fell to No. 16 Cameron Amine (PSU 12 Michigan 6).
The next match at 174 was the match of the day. No. 12 Carter Starocci shocked No. 2 Logan Massa in a 7-1 decision in TB2 (PSU 15 Michigan 6). The match was tied 1-1 in regulation, Massa had a chance to end the match in SV but Starocci, as he did throughout the match, fought out and ended up catching Massa for 4 near fall points in TB1 (PSU 15 Michigan 6). More on this match later.
Penn State and Michigan again traded wins at 184 and 197 as No. 3 Aaron Brooks toyed with Jaden Bullock and No. 14 Michael Beard lost a tough match to Myles Amine (PSU 18 Michigan 9).
The dual meet ended where it always should, at heavyweight. No. 7 Seth Nevills took to the mat against fellow large human No. 2 Mason Parris. Unfortunately for Nevills, Parris was too much to handle and he lost a major decision (PSU 18 Michigan 13).
But, the Nittany Lions still prevailed as they took down Michigan in an action packed dual meet. Now let’s take a look at a couple of key matches.
First key match
125 – Robert Howard vs Jack Medley
Grade – A+
This is what we’re talkin’ about!
Finally, Penn State Wrestling fans get to not only witness an actual person wrestle at 125 (I promise this will be the last time I beat the “OMG fOrFeIt” horse), they get to see highly touted Robert Howard make his debut. Jack Medley slotted down from his normal spot at 133 to face Howard at 125.
The match started off fast with Howard earning a take down early in the first period (2-0), however two escapes by Medley erased the lead (2-2).
Howard earned his next takedown 1:10 into the second with a beautiful duck under move catching Medley by surprise (4-2). Another late escape by Medley had the score 4-3 going into the third period.
Howard escaped from the down position (5-3) but Medley caught Howard with a fantastic takedown of his own early in the period (5-5).
Howard notched another escape (6-5) and he was then able to grind out the remaining 1:19 in the third period to defeat Medley in a 6-5 decision for his first Nittany Lion victory.
PSU fans couldn’t ask for a better start! Here’s hoping Howard has locked down his spot at 125 and we see more great things from him going forward.