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NCAA Wrestling Championships: Penn State Wrestling’s title Contenders

By Chris Snyder

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 18: Vincenzo Joseph of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs to the mat as he is introduced during the championship finals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 18, 2017 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Hunter Martin/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 18: Vincenzo Joseph of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs to the mat as he is introduced during the championship finals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 18, 2017 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Hunter Martin/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
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Purdue’s Trey Kruse wrestles Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso during a 149 pound bout in a Big Ten Duals wrestling match, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 at Holloway Gymnasium in West Lafayette.Purdue Wrestling Vs Ohio State
Purdue’s Trey Kruse wrestles Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso during a 149 pound bout in a Big Ten Duals wrestling match, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 at Holloway Gymnasium in West Lafayette.Purdue Wrestling Vs Ohio State /

149

(1) Sammy Sasso (OHST) 12-0
(2) Austin O`Connor (UNC) 8-0
(3) Brock Mauller (MIZZ) 17-0
(4) Boo Lewallen (OKST) 16-1

Past Matchups

02/14/21 Mauller TB1 Lewallen, 7-5
02/02/20 Mauller SV1 Lewallen, 5-3
03/21/19 O’Connor dec. Mauller, 4-3

I’m not sure who’s going to take home the 2021 title at 149, but I do know this group of wrestlers wins the “The Dick Butkus/Harry Colon Best Group of Athlete Names 2021” title.

If NCAA Wrestling 2K21 existed, I would absolutely create a grappler named “Brock Mauller”. Anyway, onto the actual wrestling.

Outside of Sasso this group has also had some success in past NCAA tournaments. O’Connor and Mauller finished in 3rd and 6th places respectively at the 2019 NCAA’s and Lewallen posted an 8th place showing in 2018.

I’m going to give the slight edge to Sasso in the 149 division as 7 of his 12 victories this season came against top 25 opponents. Lewallen is the only other wrestler to go against stiff competition as O’Connor and Mauller compiled only four matches against top 25 opponents.

I have referred to myself as a broken clock who also makes wrestling predictions so I wouldn’t exactly take my “Sasso will win the 149 title” to the bank quite yet. Anything is possible in wrestling.

Sleeper: (7) Jonathan Millner (APP) 13-1

I’m not able to make another homer pick at 149 as PSU’s Beau Bartlett wasn’t able to qualify for the tournament. So I’ll pick the next best guy, App State’s Jonathan Millner.

Wile Millner didn’t necessarily take on the best of the best during the 2021 regular season, he did take care of business and earn bonus points in 57% of his matches.

The junior has put together a record of 44-5 the past two seasons and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gives O’Connor a run for his money if they end up meeting in the Friday morning quarter-finals.

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