Penn State Wrestling: 5 Biggest Surprises of 2021 Season
By Chris Snyder
Biggest Surprise No. 2
Robbie Howard took over the 125 spot and qualified for the NCAA Championships
For the first six scheduled dual meets of the 2021 season (three of which were postponed), Penn State Wrestling had yet to have a single able body wrestle at 125. Questions swirled as to who it would be or if the Nittany Lions would even field anyone for the season at 125.
It wasn’t until February 14th that Penn State fans got some answers. The evening in Ann Arbor kicked off with Robbie Howard hitting the mat to make his Nittany Lion debut against Michigan’s Jack Medley.
Howard gutted out a close match to earn the decision 6-5 and propel Penn State to the upset victory over the then No. 2 ranked Wolverines.
In each of the next two Penn State Wrestling duals against Ohio State and Maryland, Howard was the man at 125 and compiled a record of 2-1 heading into the B1G Championships.
Robbie had a difficult opening match against Wisconsin’s Eric Barnett as Barnett pulled out a 3-2 decision over Howard.
But in the consolation bracket Howard went to work in winning three consecutive matches and earning himself a spot in the 5th place match against Northwestern’s Michael DeAugustino.
Unfortunately Howard fell to DeAugustino in a tight 4-2 decision and finished in 6th place.
Which turned out to be enough for Robbie Howard to qualify for the 2021 NCAA Wrestling Championships!
This made Howard the first Nittany Lion wrestler at 125 to qualify for the NCAA’s since 2017.
To not only find an able body to wrestle at 125, but to have this person lock down the spot, and then qualify for the NCAA tournament? It’s nothing short of surprising based on the wacky and wild 2021 season.