Making The Case: Levi Haines will start at 157 for Penn State Wrestling

2. Potentially easier path at 157 in the Big Ten

Thanks in large part to the graduation of both Iowa’s Kaleb Young and Northwestern’s Ryan Deakin (2022 NCAA Champion at 157), you can make an argument the Big Ten group at 157 is potentially weaker than last season. But this is still the Big Ten and by no means will it ever be a cake walk in any of the weight classes.

I pointed out in a recent article highlighting the top three wrestlers at each weight class in the Big Ten that the Big Ten is top heavy at 157. Lead by Minnesota’s Brayton Lee, Nebraska’s Peyton Robb, and Michigan’s Will Lewan, it’s a very talented trio.

But after those guys it’s not a particularly strong class as you have Purdue’s Kendall Coleman, Wisconsin’s Garrett Model, and Michigan State’s Chase Saldate sprinkled about. It’s also worth noting that Ohio State is primed to unleash their young gun at 157 this season in previous top recruit Paddy Gallagher.

Gallagher was ranked as the No. 2 P4P high school wrestler in FloWrestling’s 2020-2021 recruiting rankings, so clearly there is a high level of pedigree there. And if the Buckeyes feel Gallagher is ready for the big stage and if they believe he is the future of the program, then why not let Haines rip this season too?

With the overall landscape at 157 being relatively benign by Big Ten standards, the 2022-2023 season is shaping up to be a perfect year to let any youngster get their feet wet. And yes, I do know about the recent NCAA rule change to allow wrestler’s the ability to compete in five attached matches and still secure a redshirt.

But Haines is ready to step onto campus and immediately make an impact at Penn State and in the Big Ten.

Remember when I brought up Paddy Gallagher? He had an impressive Invitational/Open year last year by racking up a combined 17-2 record while competing in the Ohio Intercollegiate Open, Cleveland State Open, Purple Raider Open, and Edinboro Open. But going into his last match of the season he held a 17-1 record, which means he ended the year with a loss. Any ideas who beat him in an 8-3 decision?

Levi Haines. Yep.

Including the summer session, Gallagher had almost a full year of training under his belt in Columbus. And in the Edinboro Open he got his rear end whipped by a guy who was technically still in high school.