PSU Wrestling: NCAA Wrestling Championships Thursday night recap
By Chris Snyder
Recapping PSU Wrestling’s performance in the night session of the NCAA Wrestling Championships
PSU Wrestling once again hits the mat in the night portion of session 2 Thursday at the NCAA Wrestling Championships.
Can the Nittany Lions continue the bonus point spree and fight on to the quarter finals?
Here’s a recap of PSU Wrestling’s matches on Thursday night at the NCAA Wrestling Championships:
174
No. 3 Carter Starocci (PSU) vs. No. 14 Hayden Hastings (WYO)
Starocci took a single leg midway in the 1st period to earn the takedown and the lead (2-0). Working in the top position, Carter fought to gain leverage and turn Hastings however Hayden fought out for the escape (2-1).
Both grapplers were squared up and Carter took advantage with a late 1st period takedown to extend his lead (4-1).
Carter started off the 2nd period in top position while working hard to add to his riding time. A minute into the 2nd, Starocci let go to give Hastings the escape (4-2) and try and build on his lead. However he was unable to find any openings and the 2nd period came to an end.
The 3rd period started with Carter electing for bottom position. Starocci squeezed out the escape (5-2) and went to work on his feet and squared up with Hastings.
Starocci turned a single leg into an ankle pick to earn another takedown (7-2) late in the 3rd period. He promptly rode Hasting out the remaining time in the 3rd to earn the 8-2 decision and punch his ticket to the quarter finals.
184
No. 1 Aaron Brooks (PSU) vs. No. 17 Owen Webster (MINN)
Brooks got things started early with a takedown to grab the early advantage (2-0). Both grapplers ended the 1st period on their feet trying to feel each other out.
The 2nd period had Brooks on bottom position where he immediately escaped (3-0) and went on the attack to find more points against Webster.
Webster received his 2nd stall warning and Brooks was awarded an additional point (4-0) going into the 3rd period.
The 3rd period started with Brooks on top where he went to work in building up his riding time. And that’s exactly what Brooks did as he rode Webster out for the entire 3rd period in winning his match by a decision 5-0.
Aaron Brooks also moves onto the quarter finals!
197
No. 15 Michael Beard (PSU) vs. No. 31 Owen Pentz (NDSU)
Beard took advantage of two early takedowns to build an early lead (4-2).
Beard then controlled the rest of the 1st period in earning two more takedowns while allowing Pentz two easy escapes (8-4).
Beard started the 2nd period in top position, allowing Pentz another easy escape (8-5) as he looked to tack on more points in the match.
An ankle picked extended the lead (10-5) and Beard yet again let Pentz out (10-6). With 20 seconds remaining in the 2nd period, Pentz attempted an attack of his own, however Beard countered and both wrestlers went out of bounds.
Beard quickly countered and took Pentz to the mat once again (12-6). This takedown appeared to injure Pentz and he took an injury timeout on the sideline.
The 3rd period started with both wrestlers in neutral position and Beard wasted no time in snagging another takedown and awarded an easy escape to Pentz (14-7). I’m sensing a theme here …
At this point it seemed like Beard was simply toying with Pentz and he grabbed another takedown midway through the 3rd period with another easy escape (16-8).
What a performace by Michael Beard. He absolutely manhandled Pentz on his way to a 17-8 major decision.
Onto the quarter finals for Beard as well!
285
No. 9 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) vs. No. 8 Jordan Wood (LEH)
Kerkvliet was unable to land an early ankle pick of Wood as he scampered out of danger. Greg then took a low shot to gain penetration on Wood and finally secure another ankle pick and the early takedown (2-0).
Kerkvliet let Wood out for the easy escape (2-1) as he looked to build on his early lead. However no openings presented themselves and the 1st period came to a close.
Kerkvliet started out the 2nd period in bottom position and after a rough mat return, he was able to fight out for the escape (3-1). Using his size and reach, Kerkvliet turned a single under hook into yet another ankle pick for the takedown and turn Wood for an additional 4 near fall points (9-1).
Wood escaped early in the 3rd round as Kerkvliet was in top position (9-2). However Kerkvliet was too much to handle as he once again took control of the match using a quick takedown to earn the major decision 12-2.
Make that yet another Nittany Lion onto the quarter finals!
Wrestlebacks
No. 23 Joe Lee (PSU) vs. No. 26 Drew Nicholson
Joe Lee lost in a decision to Drew Nicholson 4-10. I’m not sure what to say here other than it’s been a disappointing ending to an up and down season. Hopefully Lee can regroup, shake off his mistakes, and come back strong next season.
Session 2 Recap
1. Iowa 33.5
2.Penn State 28.0
3. Missouri 23.5
Penn State now has 7 wrestlers which are onto the quarter finals. They’re going to need some help from some other schools not named “Iowa” if they want to take home the crown this season. Weirder things have happened.