NCAA Wrestling Championships: Penn State Wrestling's path to titles

NCAA Wrestling Championships: Penn State Wrestling’s paths to titles

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 19: Nico Megaludis (L), Zain Retherford (C) and Morgan McIntosh of the Penn State Nittany Lions pose with the first place team trophy after the finals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 19, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

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Head coach Cael Sanderson and assistant head coach Cody Sanderson of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

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No. 15 Michael Beard

Much like Joe Lee, Michael Beard has also had a bit of an up and down year. Which is completely understandable for a redshirt freshman even as a starter at a powerhouse program like Penn State.

Beard gave Michigan’s Myles Amine a run for his money back in a dual meet on February 14th, losing in a decision 5-8. Then in the B1G quarter finals Beard had Amine on the ropes and about to knock off the No. 2 seed. Only it didn’t happen and Amine went on to take the B1G crown at 197.

Beard’s path in this year’s NCAA’s is going to be a difficult one as after a win in his opening round match against Navy’s No. 18 Jacob Koser, he’ll have to face the No. 2 seed Eric Schultz of Nebraska. And this won’t be the year for Beard to shock the world. At least not yet.

It looks like Beard will then have several favorable matches in the early rounds of the wrestlebacks. If he can take advantage of these and pull of an upset or two he could easily land in either the 5th place or 7th place match.

Either outcome has to be seen as a victory for the young Nittany Lion. Beard has show flashes of brilliance during the season and I think we’ll see more of that next your on the mat.

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