Big Ten Wrestling power rankings: Does Penn State climb to top?
By Chris Snyder
Last Week: 2
Rank: 2
Record: 6-0
Top 20 Wins: 3
Ranked Wrestlers: 9
133 No. 3 Roman Bravo-Young
141 No. 2 Nick Lee
149 No. 11 Beau Bartlett
157 No. 8 Brady Berge
165 No. 17 Joe Lee
174 No. 4 Carter Starocci
184 No. 2 Aaron Brooks
197 No. 15 Michael Beard
Hwt No. 6 Greg Kerkvliet
While things haven’t changed at the top of my B1G Power Rankings, a couple of newer developments for the Nittany Lions may change the outcomes in the upcoming tournaments.
We already know about Penn State’s relaxing, smooth, not-at-all stressful win against rival Ohio State last Friday night (2/19). Oh, and they also thrashed Maryland 44-0 on Monday. Big deal.
It’s the two new developing storylines which have Nittany Lion faithful buzzing heading into the B1G Championships.
I think Penn State may finally have their guy at 149 as Beau Bartlett suited up and wrestled a fantastic match against Ohio State’s No. 2 Sammy Sasso. Even though he lost a tough match 3-5, Bartlett followed it up with dominant major decision over Maryland’s Lucas Cordio. This is huge having a possible top 10 contender at 149. I pretty much threw this weight class out in my 5 Keys to Penn State winning the National Championship.
Speaking of huge…
The much anticipated collegiate and Penn State debut for heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet finally came to fruition Monday evening. And boy did he not disappoint. It was your typical takedown-let the guy escape, takedown-let the guy escape, takedown-pin series of events. Kerkvliet looked massive, he looked quick, and he looked incredibly smooth.
Both of these events can potentially change the national narrative.
But, in order to be the king, you have to beat the king.