Penn State Wrestling: 2022 Big Ten Championships – Session I Recap

The first leg of the 2022 Big Ten Wrestling Championships has concluded so let’s dive into the results and see what’s up next for No. 1 Penn State Wrestling

You are looking live at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in the corn country of Lincoln, Nebraska, as No. 1 ranked Penn State Wrestling aims to capture the Big Ten Wrestling Championship.

The amazing ride of the Big Ten 2021-2022 wrestling season culminates here as the wrestling action is guaranteed to be exciting and epic matches are bound to unfold.

So let’s take a look at how the No. 1 ranked Nittany Lions faired in the opening round, quarterfinals, and wrestle backs (if needed).

Away we go!!

Recapping Penn State Wrestling’s showing at Session 1 of the Big Ten Wrestling Championships:

Opening Round Matches

149
No. 7 Beau Bartlett (PSU) vs. No. 10 Michael Blockhus (MINN)

Result: Beau Bartlett dec over Michael Blokhus 3-2

Well, it’s never a high-scoring affair when Bartlett hits the mat, but this doesn’t mean his matches aren’t exciting.

Bartlett tied up the match 1-1 following a quick escape at the beginning of the third period. He then quickly countered a shot by Blockhus to earn the takedown and push his lead to 3-1.

Ideally, a ride out for the remainder of the period would have been the best scenario, however, Blockhus was able to earn a late escape to make the score 3-2.

Bartlett ultimately pulled out the 3-2 win as the final seconds ticked away in the third period. But it wasn’t without some minor controversy as Blockhus almost secured a takedown at the horn. But after a brief video review, the referees confirmed the call on the mat.

A win’s a win, right?

157
No. 7 Garrett Model (WIS) vs. No. 10 Brady Berge (PSU)

Result: Brady Berge maj dec over Garrett Model 10-2

Brady looked impressive in his opening-round match against Model. He wrestled fast, he wrestled loose, and he finished on his committed shots.

All of this added up to a lopsided major decision win to give Penn State its first bonus points of the Big Ten Championships. And hopefully not last!

Let’s keep the Berge Pain Train going!

165
No. 7 Hayden Lohrey (PUR) vs. No. 10 Creighton Edsell (PSU)

Result: Creighton Edsell dec over Hayden Lohrey 3-2 SV

Lohrey tied up the match 1-1 late in the third period thanks in large part to a danger point awarded due to Edsell grabbing his foot. And neither grappler could find a late second takedown in the third period so the match moved on to sudden victory.

And in sudden victory, Edsell sprang to life with a beautiful ankle pick which he turned into a takedown along the left side of the mat.

With Edsell’s win, the Nittany Lions are now three for three in getting Bartlett, Berge, and Esdell through to the next round.

285
No. 3 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) vs. No. 14 Zach Schrader (MD)

Result: Greg Kerkvliet fall over Zach Schrader 2:13

How’s that for a way to cap the opening round matches for Penn State?

Kerk was all over Schrader from the first-period whistle. And after turning Schrader multiple times for a handful of near fall points, Kerkvliet was finally able to secure the far shoulder and force his opponent’s back to the mat.

So far so good!