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Big Ten Wrestling: Ranking the top three wrestlers at each weight class

By Chris Snyder

Penn State's Roman Bravo-Young, left, celebrates after scoring a decision against Oklahoma State's Daton Fix at 133 pounds 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 011 Jpg
Penn State's Roman Bravo-Young, left, celebrates after scoring a decision against Oklahoma State's Daton Fix at 133 pounds 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 011 Jpg /
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Mar 19, 2022; Detroit, MI, USA; Penn State wrestler Greg Kerkvliet celebrates after defeating Michigan wrestler Mason Parris (left) in a 285 pound consolation semifinal match during the NCAA Wrestling Championships at Little Cesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2022; Detroit, MI, USA; Penn State wrestler Greg Kerkvliet celebrates after defeating Michigan wrestler Mason Parris (left) in a 285 pound consolation semifinal match during the NCAA Wrestling Championships at Little Cesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

285

1. Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State)
2. Mason Parris (Michigan)
3. Tony Cassioppi (Iowa)

“Hey look at that, Chris has another Penn State guy at the top spot in another weight class. Go figure!”

But seriously, look me in the eyes and tell me there is a wrestler more talented and has a higher ceiling in the Big Ten than Kerkvliet. I will sit here and wait.

The guy missed virtually the entire season in 2021 due to a staph infection and life-threatening blood clots. Then suited up and became an All-American in the 2021 NCAA’s.

Then Kerk beat the previously “undefeated to anyone else not named Gable” Mason Parris in Penn State’s dual meet against Michigan. If Greg has any sort of Achilles heel, then it has to be Iowa’s Tony Cassioppi.

Kerkvliet, Parris, and Cassioppi seem to have a weird Rochambeau matchup between them.

In the 2021-2022 season, Kerk was 3-0 against Parris and 0-2 against Cassioppi. Parris was 1-0 against Cassioppi (3-0 in his career) and 0-3 against Kerkvliet. Which means Cassioppi was 2-0 against Greg and 0-1 against Parris.

Kerkvliet clearly has the upper hand against Parris, and I would be willing to bet my house and my neighbor’s house (Thanks Nick!) that Greg beats Cassioppi this season when they square off. Book it.

Greg Kerkvliet is going to be a force to reckon with in the Big Ten and he will have plenty of experience once the season is over. Because the Big Ten is absolutely stacked at heavyweight as they have seven of the top 12 guys at 285.

Arizona State’s Cohlton Schultz better keep a look out behind him because if he blinks then Kerk might blow right past him. Which would give Penn State an almost unheard of six NCAA championship contenders.

Unless …

Gable Steveson for some unknown reason decides to come back. But I don’t see it, he has literally nothing to prove in college. NOTHING.

However, in the oft chance he does come back, not only will no one in college beat him, but no one on the planet will beat him.

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