Penn State Wrestling’s Greg Kerkvliet overcame incredible hurdles in 2021

The mystery of Penn State Wrestling standout Greg Kerkvliet’s 2021 season is finally solved

Hi there Penn State wrestling fans. It’s been a minute, right?

Do you remember WAY back in March 2021, when Greg Kerkvliet took home fourth in the B1G Championships, seventh in the NCAA Championships, and earned All-American status?

And do you also remember when Kerkvliet took place in a NLWC tournament in the fall of 2020 in which he absolutely obliterated the competition?

Lastly, do you remember when nothing was coming out of the Penn State Wrestling camp during the entire 2021 regular season regarding if or when we would see Greg Kerkvliet make his debut?

Early into the 2021 season Coach Cael Sanderson even indicated if was likely he wouldn’t wrestle at all.

So what happened to the former No. 1 recruit in the nation between the fall of 2020 (where he looked unstoppable) and when he surprisingly suited up and hit the mat in the dual meet against Maryland?

Furthermore, why did he not look like the same guy when he took part in the B1G Championships and the NCAA Championships?

Well we now have the answer to all of these questions.

A life threatening staph infection, 2 blood clots, and no physical activity for 2 months?

Wow.

And the guy still finished 4th in the B1G, 7th in the NCAA, and beat Mason Parris in the Olympic Trials. Let all of that sink in for a minute.

For Greg Kerkvliet to even be able to wrestle at all this season was incredible. And for him to earn All-American honors is borderline unbelievable based on the hurdles he had to overcome.

I’ve been high on Kerkvliet in a plethora of my articles. And now knowing this and for Kerkvliet to have a full offseason to train and if he can stay healthy, somehow I’m even higher on the guy going into next season.

Mason Parris and Gable Steveson, this is your official warning!