Penn State Wrestling comes up short at 2022 Big Ten Championships: Session III, IV Recap

Finals Matches

133
No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) vs. No. 2 Austin DeSanto (IOWA)

Result: Roman Bravo-Young dec over Austin DeSanto 3-1

Not surprising, but DeSanto was up to his usual antics early in the match by waving his hands and arms around like a crazy person. You just keep doing you, Austin.

But now onto the actual match.

The first period ended with the scores tied at 0-0 as neither guy could land a shot. DeSanto seemed to be the aggressor in the period, but RBY was easily able to defend his shots.

The second period again saw lots of action but an escape by DeSanto proved to be the only points award so far in the match.

The third period started with RBY in the bottom position, and he pulled out of DeSanto’s clutches to tie up the match 1-1. Then with less than a minute remaining in the match, Bravo-Young and DeSanto were locked up at the far right of the mat and it appeared a stalemate would be called.

But RBY was able to improve his position and it pushed DeSanto into a dangerous count. The referee counted the full counts and then awarded RBY the takedown. The call was upheld following a coaching challenge and Roman rode DeSanto out for the remainder of the period.

Have to wonder what the game plan for DeSanto was there? Was he hoping the referee would forget the rules?

Whatever the case was, RBY wrestled another fantastic match.

And with the victory, Roman Bravo-Young has now been crowned the Big Ten Champion at 133 for the second straight year!

141
No. 1 Nick Lee (PSU) vs. No. 2 Jaydin Eierman (IOWA)

Result: Nick Lee injury forfeit Jaydin Eierman

I really don’t think this is the way Nick Lee wanted to win his first Big Ten title. But hey, I’m sure he’ll take it!

On a side note, I realize the ultimate goal is to win in the NCAA Championships, but the plethora of injury forfeits late in this year’s 2022 Big Ten Championships has been extremely disappointing.

I respect the decisions, but I guess maybe I’m just being selfish for not seeing potentially epic matchups.

174
No. 1 Carter Starocci (PSU) vs. No. 2 Logan Massa (MICH)

Result: Carter Starocci dec over Logan Massa 5-1

Starocci struck first in the opening period with a slick takedown to get on the board 2-0. The ideal game plan would have been to ride Massa out for the rest of the first, but Logan was able to squirm free.

Starocci was in the down position to start the second period and Massa tried to stall his way through the entire period. But following a stall warning, Carter was able to break free to extend his lead to 3-1.

Then in the third period, it was Starocci’s turn to stall in the top position and try to milk the clock as much as he could. Carter also received a stall warning but following a restart, Massa jumped the gun for the third time in the match and Starocci was awarded an additional point.

Carter ultimately rode Massa out for the rest of the third period and picked up his first ever Big Ten title.

Boom!

184
No. 1 Aaron Brooks (PSU) vs. No. 2 Myles Amine (MICH)

Result: Myles Amine dec over Aaron Brooks 6-4 SV

The intensity in this match was much higher from the opening whistle as compared to their matchup in the regular season.

And Brooks was able to land the first takedown midway through the first period to jump ahead 2-0. Amine pulled free for the escape and the rest of the period finished with both guys taking turns feeling each other out.

Aaron started in the bottom position in the second period and he promptly snuck out of Amine’s grasp to further his lead 3-1. And just like the first period, the second ended with both wrestlers squared up and on their feet.

Brooks worked on Amine from the top position in the third, but Myles eventually pulled away to make the score 3-2. And rather than keep his distance, Brooks wanted to get in tight with Amine.

Which proved to be a massive mistake because Amine worked in around Brooks’ waist and powered his way for a late takedown in the third period. Myles now held the lead 4-3 with only seconds left in the match.

But, Brooks wasn’t finished and he willed his way out for the escape as the clock ticked down to zero. Onto sudden victory.

And in sudden victory Amine’s energy level somehow increased and he pulled the exact same move which landed the late third-period takedown.

Ball game.

Was this a fantastic wrestling match? Absolutely.

Was it Aaron Brooks’ best match? No.

The good news is that this result gives Brooks some added motivation heading into the NCAA’s.

197
No. 1 Eric Schultz (NEB) vs. No. 2 Max Dean (PSU)

Result: Max Dean dec over Eric Schultz 4-2

Schultz and Dean spent the majority of the first-period trading half-hearted shots. Neither guy appeared to get their offense going.

But just like that, Dean struck late in the first with a takedown. However, Schultz was able to free himself before the period ended to make the score 2-1.

The second period started with Dean in the top position and he continued to build up his riding time to over two minutes. Schultz then worked free and the match was tied 2-2 going into the final period.

Max began the third period on bottom and he quickly escaped to once again take the lead 3-2. And the rest of the third period was Dean fighting off shot after shot by Schultz.

With his riding time secured Schultz needed a takedown. But it didn’t happen.

And Max Dean is the Big Ten champ at 197!