Penn State Wrestling takeaways from Day 1 of B1G Championships

Semi-Final Recap – Session II

133

Match 125
No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) vs. No. 4 Chris Cannon (NU)

Bravo-Young dec. Cannon, 5-3

RBY used a couple of 1st period takedowns to lead the match 4-2 heading into the 2nd period.

Bravo-Young allowed Cannon an early escape from the bottom position and both grapplers fought out the remaining 2nd period squared up and on their feet. Neither guy was able land anything and we went to the 3rd with RBY leading 4-3.

Roman started on bottom in the 3rd and Cannon showed his strength in keeping RBY down for the first 40 seconds. Roman was able to sneak out counter the remaining Cannon attacks to win the 5-3 decision.

Now onto the finals for RBY!

141

Match 134
No. 2 Nick Lee (PSU) vs. No. 3 Sebastian Rivera (RUT)

Lee SV Rivera, 8-6

I knew this was going to be a tough match for Lee and Rivera proved this correct as he caught Lee with a single leg and turned it into a takedown to lead 2-0. Lee then countered with a quick escape and a takedown of his own to flip the score 3-2 in his favor. Rivera escaped late in the 1st to tie up the match 3-3 going into the 2nd.

Lee started in the down position and squeezed out for the escape and the lead once again 4-3. Sebass next countered with an ankle pick to take Lee to the mat for his second takedown and a 5-4 lead. Rivera got docked for a locked hands penalty, awarding Lee another point and Lee then forced out to get the escape 6-5 heading into the 3rd period.

Lee had top position starting the 3rd period and rode Rivera up until the 1:08 mark of the 3rd. Sebass escaped tying the match at 6-6. Fireworks then ensued as the two grapplers locked up late in the 3rd and Lee flung Rivera to the mat to put him in a really bad spot. The problem is Sebass still had control of Lee’s leg to prevent the takedown and the near fall even though his back was on the mat.

Onto sudden victory.

More craziness unfolded as both wrestlers desperately tried to build an attack in sudden victory. Lee took a shot but it was countered by Rivera and they were both tangled up with no control by either guy. It appeared Lee had a takedown but Rivera kept holding on for dear life.

Nick finally shook loose of Rivera, spun around, and secured the 2 point takedown to take the match with 2 seconds remaining in sudden victory.

Wow! What a match!

Next for Nick Lee is Iowa’s Jaydin Eierman in a much anticipated finals match at 141.

174

Match 158
No. 3 Carter Starocci (PSU) vs. No. 2 Mikey Labriola (NEB)

Starocci SV Labriola, 3-1

Much of the 1st period saw both grapplers feeling each other out. Carter attempted to penetrate several times but Labriola kept his hips low and countered the quick attacks.

The second period started 0-0 with Starocci on bottom and he quickly broke free to grab the escape and the 1-0 lead. Both grapplers continued to circle each other with Carter showing off his non-stop footwork. However this is how the 2nd period ended as no one could land a shot.

Starocci started the 3rd period on top and Labriola earned the escape to tie the score 1-1. Both guys continued to feel each other out with Carter almost getting a takedown with a single leg but he couldn’t shelve the other leg to get the 2 points. The 3rd period then ended with both grapplers pretzeled in the center of the mat and the scored tied 1-1.

Here we go. Another sudden victory.

Oh my gosh! Again!

Carter Starocci wraps up Labriola late in sudden victory, frees his legs and pulls out the takedown to move onto the finals. I’m not sure my organs can take much more of this.

184

Match 161
No. 1 Aaron Brooks (PSU) vs. No. 5 John Poznanski (RUT)

Brooks maj. dec. Poznanski, 10-2

The big question for Nittany Lion fans was how was Brooks’ ankle going to hold up? Was he able to get some much need treatment since this afternoon’s match?

Well Penn State fans were able to learn pretty quickly as Brooks caught Poznanski for a late 1st period takedown and rode him out for the remainder of the period.

Brooks took the 2-0 lead into the 2nd period, elected to take bottom position and promptly escaped for a 3-0 lead. Another takedown by Brooks moved the match to 5-0.

Aaron was on top for the 3rd period and after securing more riding time, let Poznanski up for the escape. Brooks then put it into cruise control in taking Poznanski down several more times on his way to a 10-2 major decision.

Onto the finals for Brooks as he’ll face No. 6 Taylor Venz of Nebraska.

Man, what a night.