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Penn State Wrestling: Best Nittany Lions to never win an NCAA title

By Chris Snyder

STATE COLLEGE, PA - JANUARY 31: A view of the sell out crowd cheering during a match between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Michigan Wolverines on January 31, 2016 at Recreation Hall on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State won 35-7. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - JANUARY 31: A view of the sell out crowd cheering during a match between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Michigan Wolverines on January 31, 2016 at Recreation Hall on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State won 35-7. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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Penn State Wrestling
The crowd reacts as Aaron Brooks of the Penn State Nittany Lions gets a pin during the second period of a 184-pound bout against Rocky Jordan of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Bryce Jordan Center on February 04, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) /

No. 7

Josh Moore

Years: 2000-2004
Record: 146-38
Conf. Titles: 0 (3rd – highest finish)
NCAA Finishes:
3rd (2003)
2nd (2004)

With his 146 career victories at Penn State, Josh Moore has the third most wins in Nittany Lion wrestling history. But unfortunately, win totals don’t grant you NCAA titles.

The rubber didn’t really start to meet the road for Moore until his junior season where he put together a 40-9 record and finished both third in the 2003 Big Ten Championships and third in the 2003 NCAA Championships. A tough quarter-finals loss dropped Josh down to the consolation bracket and he then went on to win four straight matches to take home third and be crowned an All-American for the first time.

Then Moore really got the train rolling his senior season. He compiled a record of 39-8 with a crazy stat line of 24 falls, two technical falls, and six major decisions. Although he finished in a disappointing fourth place at the 2004 Big Ten’s, he really shined in the NCAA’s that year.

Moore blew through the 133 pound competition and was matched up against Iowa State’s Zach Roberson in the finals. And while the 7-3 loss wasn’t exactly the result Moore was expecting, he did end up finishing with his second consecutive podium and his second straight All-American finish.

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