PSU Wrestling: What went wrong, what went right, NCAA Championships MVP
By Chris Snyder
What went right?
This is perhaps the easiest thing I’ve ever had to write about.
Hmm, can anyone guess what went right for Penn State at this year’s NCAA Championships?
I always ask the tough questions.
Clearly, it was the spectacular performance by Roman Bravo-Young, Nick Lee, Carter Starocci, and Aaron Brooks in bring home 4, count’em 4 NCAA individual titles in 2021.
Incredible.
The night started out at 133 where Roman Bravo-Young was up against the No. 1 seed and likely team USA’s best wrestler at his respective Olympic weight class, Daton Fix of Oklahoma State.
It was a razor thin match heading late into the 3rd period with RBY clinging to a 1-0 lead and the riding time locked up. Based on the situation and the time left, it was no surprise RBY got tagged with his 2nd stall warning to award Fix a point (1-1), but then the official immediately slapped him with a 3rd stall warning roughly 7 seconds after the other one.
Whatever.
The match went into sudden victory and with 20 seconds left in sudden victory, RBY used his lightning quick reflexes to land the takedown on Fix and take home the title at 133!
Roman Bravo-Young had defeated Daton Fix and the head official for his first ever NCAA title. By the way, that should be a bonus point of some sort.
Moving on.
Next up was a rematch between Nick Lee and Iowa’s No. 1 seed Jaydin Eierman where Eierman was able to prevail in the B1G finals.
Heading to the 3rd period this match was also tight with Eierman holding onto a 1-0 lead. Lee opted to start the 3rd period in neutral and right out of the gate he snagged the takedown and the lead 2-1.
Eierman freed himself to tie up the score 2-2, and he looked completely gassed as the final seconds of the 3rd period counted down to zero.
As sudden victory started it was clear Lee was the fresher of the two grapplers. On the broadcast you could hear Cael Sanderson tell Lee “Nick Lee go get him you have energy!”.
Which is exactly what Lee did as he wasted no time in working around Eierman for the takedown, the victory, and also his first ever NCAA title!!
Bam!
The third finals match for Penn State also featured a rematch from the B1G finals. In the prior match, Iowa’s Michael Kemerer controlled much of the match en route to a 7-2 victory over Carter Starocci.
At this point of the night it was already an incredible show with RBY and Lee winning their much deserved titles. What I’m saying is I was preparing myself for a Starocci loss.
Does anyone think Carter Starocci doesn’t believe in himself?
This match also went to sudden victory as Starocci was able to defend a late shot and scramble by Kemerer to keep the match tied 1-1 in regulation.
In sudden victory Starocci willed himself to snag a double leg on Kemerer (a position he never ever gets stuck in), used his strength to power around the corner, earn the takedown, and take home yet another NCAA title!!
I’m never doubting Carter Starocci ever again.
Someone get me a brown paper bag to breathe into!
Aaron Brooks then batted cleanup in the finals matches as he was squared off with the No. 2 seed Trent Hidlay of NC State.
The 3rd period began with Brooks holding onto a slim 2-1 lead. While on top, Brooks intentionally allowed the escape and the score was tied up 2-2.
With both wrestlers squared up on the mat late in the 3rd period, Hidlay got slapped with his 2nd stall warning and Brooks regained the lead 3-2. Hidlay was able to snag a single leg late in the 3rd period and it appeared Brooks was in a really bad spot. After an official review, they confirmed the call of no points earned.
Aaron Brooks made it 4 for 4 on the night and Penn State wrestling was the talk of the collegiate wrestling world. Iowa, the 2021 team champs, only secured one NCAA title.
Man, that felt good!
I also don’t want to leave out Michael Beard and Greg Kerkvliet. They both wrestled tough matches in the wrestlebacks to each earn spots in the 7th place matches at 197 and 285.
Even though they had already locked up All-American status for 2021 (for finishing in the top 8), both Beard and Kerkvliet went on to win their matches and finish 7th in their respective weight classes.
What an unforgettable 2021 season. With a young and inexperienced team, Penn State took home 4 national titles and crowned 6 All-American wrestlers.
Which brings us to the MVP.