Penn State Wrestling: How Nittany Lions brought home another title from 2022 NCAA Championships

Mar 19, 2022; Detroit, MI, USA; The Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling team poses with the trophy after taking first place at the NCAA Wrestling Championships at Little Cesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2022; Detroit, MI, USA; The Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling team poses with the trophy after taking first place at the NCAA Wrestling Championships at Little Cesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Wrestling
Penn State’s Nick Lee reacts after scoring a decision at 141 pounds in the semifinals in the finals during the sixth session of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich.220319 Ncaa Session 6 Wr 033 Jpg /

Individual Performances

125
Drew Hildebrandt

Record: 1-2
Finish: NQ

It was simply a rough past two weeks for Hildebrandt. He’s a highly talented, tough-nosed wrestler who knows how to get the job done under pressure. But this probably isn’t how he pictured his college career-ending.

133
Roman Bravo-Young

Record: 5-0
Finish: 1st

Daton Fix was no match for RBY in their rematch for the 133 title. And if not for a guy by the name of “Gable Steveson”, it’s possible Roman could win the 2022 Dan Hodge Trophy.

141
Nick Lee

Record: 5-0
Finish: 1st

If there was one picture that could sum up “grit, toughness, master technician, and athleticism” it would be a shot of Nick Lee’s busted-up face at the end of every tournament he wrestles in.

Oh, and it would include him holding up the champions trophy too. Nick Lee is and will always be a Penn State legend.

149
Beau Bartlett

Record: 1-2
Finish: R16

I’ll say it again for the 1,037th time; Beau battles hard on the mat and he leaves it all out there anytime he laces on his shoes.

Bartlett went from not qualifying for last year’s NCAAs to qualifying this year and winning his opening match. Baby steps.

157
Brady Berge

Record: 2-2
Finish: NQ

Just like Drew Hildebrandt, Berge was a major part of why the Nittany Lions had a perfect record in the dual season. And Brady had an excellent Big Ten tournament by winning his final match to take third.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get his All-American, fairy tale ending in the NCAA’s. But Brady Berge unretired from wrestling, came back to Happy Valley, donned the blue and white Penn State singlet, gave it one last ride into the sunset, and in the process made the Penn State faithful proud of what he was able to accomplish in his career.

174
Carter Starocci

Record: 5-0
Finish: 1st

When watching Starocci wrestle, it almost looks like there are times when he simply wills his way to a win. This shouldn’t be surprising, I guess, as this is something all of the legends in wrestling are able to do.

Along with RBY and Nick Lee, it’s hard to imagine Carter Starocci won’t be a finalist for this year’s Dan Hodge Trophy.

184
Aaron Brooks

Record: 5-0
Finish: 1st

As my friend and I were discussing following the conclusion of the NCAA Championships if Nittany Lions fans saw the same Aaron Brooks that they saw against Myles Amine in the finals? Then there isn’t a chance in the world he losses ever again.

Is there a cap to the number of finalists for the Dan Hodge?

197
Max Dean

Record: 5-0
Finish: 1st

Following Max Dean’s win in the finals against Iowa’s Jacob Warner, you could feel the emotion pouring from Max, Gabe, and his entire family. What a special moment for them and what a special moment for Max Dean.

The road to his first NCAA championships wasn’t an easy one, but time and time again Max was able to find a way to win and move on. And that’s exactly what champions do.

285
Greg Kerkvliet

Record: 4-2
Finish: 4th

It was Kerk’s win over Michigan’s Mason Parris in the later stages of the consolation bracket which clinched the team title for Penn State. This entire season, and certainly in the NCAA’s, Kerkvliet was a much different wrestler than he was last year.

For obvious reasons.

But following the NCAA Championships, Cael Sanderson indicating “it was looking like” Kerkvliet wouldn’t be able to wrestle at all this weekend. Well not only did he wrestle, but Kerk battled through it all and took home an impressive fourth place finish.

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