Penn State Wrestling: 2023 NCAA Championships – Session III & IV Recap

Session III Recap – Consolation Bracket

197
No. 9 Max Dean (PSU) vs. No. 26 Gavin Hoffman (OHST)

Result: Max Dean dec. over Gavin Hoffman 6-0

No. 9 Max Dean (PSU) vs. No. 18 Tanner Harvey (ORST)

Result: Max Dean dec. over Tanner Harvey 10-5

Max Dean dusted himself off after last night’s loss and picked up two big wins in the consolation bracket today. All-American status is still on the line as he’ll be back on the mat later this evening.

Next Match: No. 11 Jaxon Smith (MD)

Session III Recap – Championship Bracket

133
No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) vs. No. 8 Aaron Nagao (MINN)

Result: Roman Bravo-Young dec. over Aaron Nagao 4-1

RBY used a tough second period ride out of Nagao and a reversal in the third period to move onto the semifinals later this evening. Arizona State’s standout grappler at 133 stands between him and a third consecutive trip to the finals.

Next Match: No. 4 Michael McGee (ASU)

141
No. 6 Beau Bartlett (PSU) vs. No. 3 Cole Matthews (PITT)

Result: Beau Bartlett dec. over Cole Matthews 3-1

Bartlett wrestled a brilliant match against one of the top ranked grapplers in the nation at 141. Not once did he lose focus when his opponent repeatedly stalled throughout the bout. Following a scoreless sudden victory with the score knotted at 1-1, Bartlett was unable to earn an escape in the first 30 second of overtime with Matthews tough on top position. And the coaching staff and Beau chose neutral to start the final 30 seconds with a takedown standing between him and the semifinals.

But Matthews continued to stall and Bartlett could not get any penetration. And with less than three seconds left in the match, just when things were looking pretty bleak, Bartlett landed a beautiful shot to secure the takedown and earn his way into tonight’s semifinals!

That’s how you debate!

Next Match: No. 2 Andrew Alirez (UNCO)

149
No. 12 Shayne Van Ness (PSU) vs. No. 20 Graham Rooks (IND)

Result: Shayne Van Ness dec. over Graham Rooks 10-7

Van Ness again found himself in a hole following the opening period. But instead of digging himself free, Shayne got himself deeper in trouble by giving up an escape and another takedown in the second period. Van Ness was staring right at a 7-3 deficit going into the final period.

But as Penn State fans have seen so far in this NCAA Championship, SVN didn’t panic, he stuck to his training and continued to work to get into good positions on the mat. And following an escape and a one point stall call on his opponent, Van Ness hit home with a shot to land the takedown and he then turned Rooks’ back to the mat to earn two additional near fall points.

The six point swing gave Shayne the 9-7 lead and he never looked back. Three Penn State wrestlers have suited up for the quarterfinals matches, and three are moving onto the semifinals this evening.

Next Match: No. 1 Yianni Diakomihalis (COR)

157
No. 2 Levi Haines (PSU) vs. No. 7 Bryce Andonian (VT)

Result: Levi Haines fall over Bryce Andonian 6:11

Haines was in a massive hole early in the match as Andonian countered a shot and flipped it into a takedown and four near fall points. Haines was down 6-0 before anyone in the BOK Center could even blink.

Levi was able to stop the bleeding and he was down 6-1 after the first period. In the second period he started to get to his offense and landed several shots to cut the lead to 7-6 going into the final frame.

Haines let Andonian loose to start the final period and he immediately pounced to secure yet another takedown to tie the score at 8-8.

Following a hard ride at the center of the mat, Haines locked in a half nelson and cradle. And just like that the referee slapped the mat, Levi Haines pinned his opponent, and he punched his ticket to the semifinals.

Next Match: No. 3 Peyton Robb (NEB)

174
No. 1 Carter Starocci (PSU) vs. No. 8 Bailee O’Reilly (MINN)

Result: Carter Starocci dec. over Bailee O’Reilly 5-2

Another talented wrestler stood in front of Carter Starocci. And another talented wrestler loses at the hands of Carter Starocci.

The Nittany Lions are now five for five for the semifinals.

Next Match: No. 4 Chris Foca (COR)

184
No. 3 Aaron Brooks (PSU) vs. No. 6 Kaleb Romero (OHST)

Result: Aaron Brooks dec. over Kaleb Romero 4-1

It wasn’t the same one-sided beatdown Brooks handed out in the Big Ten Championship finals, but who cares. A win is a win.

Six for six.

Next Match: No. 2 Trent Hidlay (NCST)

285
No. 3 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) vs. No. 11 Trent Hillger (WIS)

Result: Greg Kerkvliet dec. over Trent Hillger 4-0

Read my lips.

No new taxes

Seven for flipping seven.

Next Match: No. 2 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF)