PSU Wrestling team title hopes boosted by Berge’s upset over Iowa
By Chris Snyder
Recapping Penn State Wrestling’s performance in the evening session of the NCAA Wrestling Championships
PSU Wrestling’s Brady Berge pulled off a huge win for the Nittany Lions against Iowa’s No. 5 Kaleb Young. This win moves Berge into the quarter finals at 157 where he can look to do some further damage to his competition and Iowa’s team chances.
The 2nd session of the NCAA Wrestling Championships got started on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. The Nittany Lions had 8 of their 9 wrestlers still in contention in their respective championship brackets after a good showing in the morning and afternoon sessions.
Here’s a recap of Penn State Wrestling’s matches on Thursday evening at the NCAA Wrestling Championships:
125
No. 23 Robbie Howard (PSU) vs. No. 7 Taylor LaMont (UVU)
Howard gained the advantage in an early scramble to get LaMont in a front headlock but a stalemate prevented him from gaining any points. LaMont then used a single under hook to try and mount an attack but Howard thwarted that attempt.
Multiple times LaMont was able to hook Howard’s shoulders and get in deep and Robbie continued to fight it off. The 1st period then ended with Howard locked onto LaMont’s head.
The 2nd period started with Howard on top position, however LaMont maneuvered his way out to take the lead early in the 2nd period (0-1). This time LaMont worked in on Robbie’s right shoulder try to get any leverage he could and again Howard was able to work out of it.
As the final seconds ticked down in the 2nd period, it felt like a takedown by either wrestler was coming soon.
Robbie started the 3rd period on bottom hoping for a quick escape to tie the match and have the ability to get a takedown. LaMont had plans of his own. And they were to keep Howard down on the mat.
Robbie finally broke free with 24 seconds left in the 3rd (1-1), however LaMont had already earned the riding time bonus. It was too little too late for Howard and his run in the championship bracket comes to an end as he loses a heartbreaker 1-2 against UVU’s Taylor LaMont.
Onto the wrestlebacks…
133
No. 2 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) vs. No. 18 Kyle Burwick (WIS)
Both wrestlers started the 1st period taking turns with shots and counters and RBY was the first to land a takedown (2-0). However he didn’t have a good grip on Burwick and surrendered the quick escape (2-1).
Roman then took a low shot and landed another takedown (4-1) but this time he was able to hold onto Burwick and ride him out for the rest of the 1st period.
Burwick deferred and RBY chose bottom to start the 2nd. RBY almost broke free early in the 2nd but the wrestler’s momentum took them out of bounds. Roman then snagged a nifty reversal after the restart to earn 2 more points (6-1).
After a another restart, Roman let Burwick up for the easy escape looking to be on the attack once again (6-2). Bravo-Young was able to capitalize and get a single leg and work his way around for a takedown to pad his lead (8-2).
Roman began the 3rd period in the top position looking to add to his riding time. RBY allowed the escape (8-3) 30 seconds into the 3rd and was almost able to land another takedown on a single leg but Burwick countered and appeared to accidentally hit Roman in the mouth with his knee. Wow, that could have been a lot worse.
Bravo-Young poured on one last takedown to win the match via a major decision, 11-3.
Another solid performance from RBY as he moves onto the quarter finals.
141
No. 2 Nick Lee (PSU) vs. No. 15 Clay Carlson (SDSU)
Lee got things started off in taking a deep shot and landing an early 1st period takedown (2-0). After an easy escape (2-1), Lee grabbed another takedown with 2 additional near fall points (6-1).
Again Lee let Carlson up (6-2), looking to tack on more takedowns and points halfway through the 1st period. After a stall warning on Carlson, Lee went back on the attack, however he wasn’t able to find anything the rest of the 1st period.
The 2nd period started with Lee opting for the down position and he promptly escaped and grabbed a single leg takedown (9-2). Working from top, Lee was awarded an additional point for Carlson’s 2nd stall warning to add to his lead (10-2).
Lee fought the remaining time in the 2nd period trying to turn Carlson but he had no intention of fighting as a 3rd warning stall was awarded (11-2).
Lee started on top for the 3rd period and Carlson was eventually able to free himself with 1:32 left in the 3rd (11-3). Wasting no time, Lee earned another takedown (13-3) which locked up his riding time bonus for the match..
To Carlson’s credit, he prevented a blowout by not letting Lee turn him for any additional near fall points, however Lee cruised to the 14-3 major decision 14-3.
As with RBY, Lee continues on to the quarter finals.
157
No. 12 Brady Berge (PSU) vs. No. 5 Kaleb Young (IOWA)
Come on Brady, you got this!
And just like that, Berge landed a beautiful ankle pick and the early lead (2-0). After a punishing mat return, Berge let Young up for the escape (2-1). Action continued with the two wrestlers squared up however Berge was unable to capitalize on a late ankle pick.
Berge was on top to start the 2nd period and Young fought out for the early escape to tie up the score (2-2). Young attempted a low, deep shot but Berge defended it well and both grapplers returned to their feet.
The remaining seconds of the 2nd period ticked down and neither guy could land anything, so we go to the 3rd period tied up.
The 3rd started with Berge on bottom and he earned the escape to once again take the lead (3-2). With riding time not a factor, both wrestlers were looking for the clinching takedown.
Young had Berge in a single leg and in a tough spot near the boundary line, however Brady powered out to prevent any points. With Young desperately trying to get any penetration on Berge, the final seconds of the 3rd period expired and Berge pulled off the upset via decision 3-2.
That’s what I’m talking about!!
How things stand
The evening matches of session 2 finished up and PSU wrestlers went 3-1 with 2 major decisions and a big upset decision by Berge. Unfortunately Howard fell in a tough match and he’s going to be tasked with winning several matches in the wrestlebacks to help the team score.
Top 3 Team Standings
- Iowa 26.0
- Penn State 22.0
- Missouri 21.0