Penn State Wrestling: 2023 NCAA Championships – Session I and II Recap

Session I Recap

133
No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) vs. No. 33 Ethan Oakley (APP)

Result: Roman Bravo-Young major dec. over Ethan Oakley 12-3

RBY did exactly what he needed to do in his opening round match. It wasn’t super flashy or a massive blowout, but it was a win, and he moves on to the second round.

Next Match: No. 17 Brayden Palmer (CHAT)

141
No. 6 Beau Bartlett (PSU) vs. No. 27 Shannon Hanna (CAMP)

Result: Beau Bartlett dec. over Shannon Hanna 9-2

Barlett punched his ticket into the second round of the 2023 NCAA’s with a workman-like performance. But things will ramp up quickly as Beau faces a difficult grappler in Session II this evening.

Next Match: No. 11 Clay Carlson (SDSU)

149
No. 12 Shayne Van Ness (PSU) vs. No. 21 Ethan Miller (MD)

Result: Shayne Van Ness fall over Ethan Miller 6:26

Raise your hand if you would like to ride the craziest roller coaster you have ever seen just after eating lunch?

Anyone?

Well, if you enjoy wild rides then Shayne Van Ness’ opening round match would be right up your alley.

Early in the first period, Van Ness attempted to fight through a takedown, but he got completely caught. And Miller capitalized by snagging a takedown and several near fall points to jump out to an 8-0 lead as time expired in the first period.

Keep in mind, this is the same guy SVN destroyed 19-4 in Penn State’s dual meet against Maryland a month ago.

Van Ness started the second period in the down position, and he earned the escape. Now was the time to go on the prowl and look to chip away at Miller’s lead. Unfortunately, Shayne’s counterpoint had no interest in wrestling for the rest of the second period as he stalled for 90 straight seconds.

Things were starting to look bleak for Van Ness as he went into the third period trailing 8-1. He would need an all-out takedown fest to somehow pull this match out.

And he went right to work by securing two takedowns midway through the final period. Then 15 seconds later, Van Ness got his third takedown of the period. After cutting Miller loose his deficit was down to 12-7. So maybe there’s a chance?

Shayne proceeded to land his fourth takedown of the period and this time he had Miller in some trouble. Moments later Van Ness turned his opponent’s back to the mat, the referee awarded the fall, and Shayne pulled off one of the most exciting opening round matches I have ever seen in an NCAA Championship.

Now all I need is a brown paper bag to breath into and a light sedative to lower my blood pressure.

Next Match: No. 5 Paniro Johnson (ISU)

157
No. 2 Levi Haines (PSU) vs. No. 31 Ashton Eyler (LH)

Result: Levi Haines dec. over Ashton Eyler 10-3

Haines kept up the winning ways for the Nittany Lions by breezing to an easy win. Just win and advance.

Next Match: No. 15 Jacob Wright (WYO)

165
No. 13 Alex Facundo (PSU) vs. No. 20 Holden Heller (PITT)

Result: Holden Heller dec. over Alex Facundo 5-3

Uh oh.

In my preview of the 2023 NCAA Championships I highlighted that Facundo’s key match could potentially be a second round bout against Cornell’s Julian Ramirez.

Well I was right that they would lock horns. But what I got wrong was the fact these two grapplers are going to square off in the consolation bracket following Ramirez’s shocking loss to Michigan State’s Caleb Fish.

Alex will need to right the ship and he will need to do it fast if he wants to prolong his time in Tulsa.

Next Match: No. 4 Julian Ramirez (COR)

174
No. 1 Carter Starocci (PSU) vs. No. 33 John Worthing (CLAR)

Result: Carter Starocci fall over John Worthing 1:21

Starocci made quick work of his opponent and a potentially spicy matchup in the second round awaits as he and DJ Washington will square off this evening.

Next Match: No. 17 Donnell Washington (IND)

184
No. 3 Aaron Brooks (PSU) vs. No. 30 Matthew Waddell (CHAT)

Result: Aaron Brooks major dec. over Matthew Waddell 13-4

Brooks looked good in his opening round win. Just keep the train rolling going into tonight!

Next Match: No. 14 Will Feldkamp (CLAR)

197
No. 9 Max Dean (PSU) vs. No. 24 Levi Hopkins (CAMP)

Result: Max Dean dec. over Levi Hopkins 6-1

Dean struggled at times to land shots in his match but at this point any win is good. Let’s just hope the head chef decides to put some “revenge” on tonight’s menu with a side of lobster bisque.

Next Match: No. 8 Silas Allred (NEB)

285
No. 3 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) vs. No. 30 Hayden Copass (PUR)

Result: Greg Kerkvliet fall over Hayden Copass 0:34

Kerk Kong was on full display and he made quick work of his Purdue counterpart. The opening whistle was barely done reverberating around the BOK Center by the time Kerkvliet had his opponent’s back on the mat.

Next Match: No. 14 AJ Nevills (SDSU)