PSU Wrestling sends 4 to NCAA Championship Finals: Friday p.m. results

Recapping PSU Wrestling’s performance in the Friday night session of the NCAA Wrestling Championships

The PSU Wrestling program is trotting out four wrestlers in the 2021 NCAA Championship semifinals.

Can all four make the finals?

Great question. Onto the recap!

Here’s a recap of Penn State Wrestling’s matches on Friday night at the NCAA Wrestling Championships:

Semi Final Matches

133

No. 2 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) vs. No. 3 Korbin Myers (VT)

This is the first matchup between Bravo-Young and Myers. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I have no idea but we’re about to find out.

Action started hot and heavy in the 1st period with both wrestlers trying to get things going quick.

RBY took a deep shot on Myers and was awarded the takedown to lead the match (2-0). Myers got the quick escape and both grapplers were back on their feet (2-1).

Myers attempted several whips but he couldn’t get Bravo-Young to show any openings and the 1st period ended with both grapplers still squared up.

The 2nd period started with RBY on top and he tried to work an arm bar to turn Myers but he wasn’t having any of it. Myers then sneaked out to earn the escape and knot up the score (2-2).

RBY took a quick shot late in the 2nd but the period expired and he wasn’t able to land any points.

Both wrestlers started the 3rd period in the neutral position and with a takedown, either guy could take control of the match. And just like that, Bravo-Young shot like a cannon out of his stance and grabbed a double leg takedown to snag the lead (4-2).

With Bravo-Young on top, he looked to ride out Myers and further to add to his riding time. Which is exactly what he did in riding out Myers up until the waning seconds of the 3rd period to earn the decision, 5-3.

RBY now advances to his first ever NCAA finals matchup against No. Daton Fix (OKST).

141

No. 2 Nick Lee (PSU) vs. No. 3 Sebastian Rivera (RUT)

These two last toed the line two weeks ago in the semi finals of the 2021 B1G Championship. In perhaps the match of the tournament, Lee snagged a late takedown in sudden victory to move onto the finals, 8-6.

There’s no doubt Sebass is looking for revenge and Lee is looking to prevail over Rivera once again.

Now onto the action.

Nick Lee started out aggressive in taking several early shots on Rivera’s ankles but nothing hit home. Lee continued moving around looking for angles but Rivera was the first wrestler to land a takedown and take the early lead (0-2).

With the final seconds of the 1st period ticking off, it appeared Lee got the escape, and the officials agreed with me (1-2).

The 2nd period started with Lee choosing bottom position and Rivera let him up for the escape (2-2). Lee then got a takedown of his own to open up his first lead of the match (4-2).

Lee worked hard on top trying to keep Rivera on the mat and he successfully rode him out for the rest of the 2nd period.

Rivera chose bottom to begin the 3rd period and Lee couldn’t hold onto him for very long (4-3). Rivera attempted multiple shots but Lee defended each of them very well.

Bam! Lee worked around Rivera for the takedown and 2 additional near fall points (8-3)!! That’s how you debate!

Nick Lee then rode out Sebass to secure the decision, 9-3.

Alright Penn State fans, the Nittany Lions have now punched two tickets to tomorrow night’s finals! A B1G Championship finals rematch is in order at 141 as Iowa’s No. 1 Jaydin Eierman awaits Lee.

174

No. 3 Carter Starocci (PSU) vs. No. 2 Demetrius Romero (UVU)

This match is inexperienced talent versus experienced talent. Something has to give, and you’re darn right, something will.

Action started in the 1st period with both Starocci and Romero working around the mat trying to feel each other out. Neither wrestler was able to find any openings and the 1st period ended with both guys on their feet.

Starocci chose bottom to start the 2nd period and after a hard mat return, he sprung loose to put the first points on the board (1-0). A deep shot by Starocci was defended well by Romero and both grapplers ended up out of bounds.

After the restart, the “feeling out period” continued and the 2nd period came to a close.

Starocci was on top position to start the 3rd and final period and he went to work on Romero building up his riding time to over a minute. Continuing to ride Romero, Starocci was able to ride Romero in top position to earn the decision and the win, 2-0!

As with Nick Lee, Carter Starocci also gets a rematch against a Hawkeye grappler in Iowa’s No. 1 Michael Kemerer in tomorrow nights final.

What an incredible performance by the Nittany Lion youngster!!

184

No. 1 Aaron Brooks (PSU) vs. No. 4 Parker Keckeisen (UNI)

Brooks and Keckeisen locked up multiple times early in the 1st period and Aaron was able to land an ankle pick for the takedown and the early lead (2-0). Brooks then allowed the easy escape (2-1).

The two then continued to lock up looking to mount attacks from various angles. The 1st period then ended with both grapplers squared up.

Brooks elected bottom position to start the 2nd period and he earned the quick escape (3-1). Keckeisen then took a deep shot on Brooks but it didn’t materialize into anything as Brooks lowered his hips and it ended in a stalemate.

After the restart, Keckeisen snagged a single leg on Brooks but again Aaron fought it off. After a quick timeout for blood on Brooks, the action continued.

A scramble at the middle of the mat turned into another takedown by Brooks after the restart (5-1). Brooks continued to work in the top position as he rode Keckeisen out for the remainder of the 2nd period.

The trainers had to attend to Brooks’ bloody nose yet again before heading to the 3rd period.

Wrestling is absolutely a contact sport.

Brooks continued to build up his riding time in the 3rd period and after he got it above a minute, Brooks let Keckeisen up for an escape (5-2). Midway through the 3rd period both wrestlers were on their feet looking for more opportunities.

Keckeisen landed a late takedown in the 3rd period (5-4), however it wasn’t enough as Brooks took the match in a decision, 6-4.

No. 2 Trent Hidlay (NCST) awaits Aaron Brooks in the finals at 184.

Let’s go!!

What’s Next?

Penn State went 4 for 4 in their semifinal matches and RBY, Lee, Starocci, and Brooks all move onto the finals set for tomorrow night.

The medal rounds begin tomorrow morning (3/20) at 11 a.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Team Standings

1. Iowa 105.5
2. Penn State 94.5
3. Oklahoma State 72.5