Penn State Wrestling: 3 things we learned from B1G Championships

BETHLEHEM, PA - DECEMBER 6: (L-R) Head coach Cael Sanderson and assistant head coach Cody Sanderson of the Penn State Nittany Lions sit mat side during a match against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks at Stabler Arena on the campus of Lehigh University on December 6, 2019 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

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Head coach Cael Sanderson of the Penn State Nittany Lions . (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

No. 2

It’s hard to win when starting 6 freshman. Even for a coaching legend.

The Penn State Wrestling faithful, and me included, really wanted to believe Cael Sanderson could pull off the improbable and show to the wrestling world Penn State is on the same level as Iowa.

Even in a Covid-shortened 2021 season.

The fact remains that Robbie Howard, Beau Bartlett, Joe Lee, Michael Beard, Greg Kerkvliet, and even Carter Starocci have all hit bumps in the road this year. At various times they look amazing, whether it’s quickly countering an opponents attack or committing to a shot late in a tight match or wrestling smart matches.

At other times they look like freshman.

A full offseason will greatly benefit these guys so they can continue to work on technique and strategy. As well as hitting the weight room to further strengthen the many muscles wrestlers need for explosiveness, agility, flexibility, and stability.

Just think how good this group is going to be in a couple of years. This team could be

horrifically

terrifyingly

scary good.

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