Penn State Wrestling: B1G Championships Grades, MVP
By Chris Snyder
197 – Michael Beard – Fr.
Record: 3-3
Place: 6th
Grade: B
Wins
No. 10 Billy Janzer (RUT), 7-3 dec.
No. 8 Matt Wroblewski (ILL), 6-2 dec.
No. 6 Thomas Penola (PUR), 6-5 dec.
Losses
No. 2 Myles Amine (MICH), 6-8 SV
No. 4 Cameron Caffey (MSU), 6-12 dec.
No. 5 Lucas Davison (NU), 4-6 dec.
To say Michael Beard was unlucky in his quarter-final match against Michigan’s Myles Amine is a gross understatement.
With the score knotted up at 4-4 late in the 3rd period, Beard took a shot and landed it to grab the lead 6-4. With riding time not an issue, Beard wisely chose to let Amine get the easy escape so the two could be squared up for the final 20 seconds.
As Beard let him go, his one foot got tripped up and he stumbled backwards on the mat. Amine quickly recognized this and pounced on Beard to get the reversal and once again tie the match at 6-6.
Time expired and we went to sudden victory where Amine landed a shot of his own and he landed the victory.
How many times do you see top tier collegiate wrestlers trip? Never! It’s actually amazing it doesn’t happen more but it’s really a testament to how coordinated and well balanced these athletes are.
In the end, Beard had a really solid B1G’s. He beat some talented guys and he lost to some talented guys. I like what I’m seeing from him and with a little more work and experience I think Penn State fans will see him rise to the top soon.