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

Session IV Recap – Championship Bracket

133
No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) vs. No. 4 Michael McGee (ASU)

Result: Roman Bravo-Young dec. over Michael McGee 6-4

What a match.

RBY stayed cool and collected throughout this entire match and at no point was the win an easy one.

Following a scoreless first period, Bravo-Young gave up a reversal in the second and he was fighting from behind the rest of the way. Even though the officials blew a clear locked hands call, Roman landed a takedown in the third period to essentially tie the match as McGee had already locked up the riding time point.

The match went into sudden victory with the score knotted at 4-4 and RBY went to work to land the winning takedown and he secures his third trip to the finals. Watching the replay, it was simply amazing to watch someone look so calm when battling another human being to the mat.

Next Match: No. 3 Vito Arujua (COR)

141
No. 6 Beau Bartlett (PSU) vs. No. 2 Andrew Alirez (UNCO)

Result: Andrew Alirez dec. over Beau Bartlett 6-2

Beau had an uphill battle from the beginning with Alirez snagging a takedown midway through the first period. But Bartlett was able to break free and the match was 2-1 going into the second period.

Alirez pulled the quick escape in the second period, and he landed another takedown to push his lead to 5-1 going into the final frame.

Bartlett broke free of Alirez’s grasp in the third period and he needed to land something big to stay in the match.

But the lead was too big to overcome, and Beau falls to the consolation bracket, and he has a chance at a high finish at 141.

Either way, Beau Bartlett is a first time All-American, and he wrestled his tail off all year.

Next Match: Winner of No. 12 Parker Filius (PUR)/No. 11 Clay Carlson (SDSU)

149
No. 12 Shayne Van Ness (PSU) vs. No. 1 Yianni Diakomihalis (COR)

Result: Yianni Diakomihalis dec. over Shayne Van Ness 8-3

Van Ness had trailed in every single match he’s taken part in so far in the 2023 NCAA’s. And now he was facing a three time NCAA champion. Could he pull off some magic again?

Following a scoreless first period, Van Ness began the second in the bottom position looking to fight free.

Shayne broke free of Yianni’s grip early and he took the 1-0 lead with plenty of time left in the period to get to his offense. But time ticked away and the bout went to the final period with Van Ness up 1-0.

Yianni broke free immediately and Van Ness countered to land a takedown to make the score 3-1. But in the blink of an eye, Diakomihalis countered with another takedown and turned Shayne for several near fall points.

The match ended and Shayne Van Ness’ incredible run in the championship brackets comes to an end.

Next Match: Winner of No. 4 Caleb Henson (VT)/No. 6 Brock Mauller (MIZZ)

157
No. 2 Levi Haines (PSU) vs. No. 3 Peyton Robb (NEB)

Result: Levi Haines dec. over Peyton Robb 5-3

Levi Haines and Peyton Robb locked horns once again in a rematch of the 2023 Big Ten Championship finals.

Haines got the better of Robb in a thrilling 3-1 win in sudden victory, but things are always different when the bright lights of the NCAA’s shine down.

After a scoreless first period and a Robb escape in the second period, Haines hit on a quick shot late in the period to tie the match at 2-2 going into the third.

Levi pulled the escape 20 seconds into the third period and both grapplers were squared up and on their fee with Haines leading 3-2.

Haines then landed his second takedown of the match and the final seconds ticked away in the match.

Levi Haines, a true freshman, has punched his ticket to the finals in the 2023 NCAA Championships!

Next Match: No. 1 Austin O’Connor (UNC)

174
No. 1 Carter Starocci (PSU) vs. No. 4 Chris Foca (COR)

Result: Carter Starocci dec. over Chris Foca 6-0

In one of the more ho-hum matches of the 2023 NCAA semifinals, Carter Starocci rolled through Chris Foca on his way to his third finals appearance of his career.

And this is not at all a slight on the match. Rather it’s a testament to how dominant Starocci is when you toe the line with him.

Next Match: No. 2 Mickey Labriola (NEB)

184
No. 3 Aaron Brooks (PSU) vs. No. 2 Trent Hidlay (NCST)

Result: Aaron Brooks dec. over Trent Hidlay 6-3

Brooks and Hidlay have locked horns a handful of times in their collegiate wrestling careers. And this includes some deep matches in the NCAA Championships with them facing off in last year’s semifinals and in the 2021 finals.

Both matches ended with Brooks’ hand being raised in the center of the mat. So how would this one end?

Heavy hand fighting was the theme early in this match and Brooks was able to land a single leg and spin it into a takedown to take the 2-0 lead midway through the first period.

Aaron cut Hidlay free early and at the top of the mat he was able to snag another takedown to push his lead to 4-1 with short time left in the period.

Brooks was in the bottom position to start the second and he worked free immediately to make his lead 5-1. Both grapplers finished the period squared up and, on the feet, going into the final frame.

In the third period, Aaron built his riding time to 1:49 before finally cutting Hidlay free. Both guys scrapped to the final whistle, but Aaron Brooks was the grappler at the center of the mat with his hand raised after the final time expired.

Next Match: No. 1 Parker Keckeisen (UNI)

285
No. 3 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) vs. No. 2 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF)

Result: Greg Kerkvliet dec. over Wyatt Hendrickson 4-2

This match was Kerk Kong versus the Human Pinning Machine. Something had to give when the opening whistle blew and seven minutes of wrestling action commenced.

Hendrickson landed the first blow with a takedown in the first period and going into the second, Kerkvliet was down 2-1.

But midway through the second period Kerkvliet pulled a reversal to take the lead 3-2 trying to cut into Wyatt’s riding time advantage.

Greg started the third period on top and he looked to grind Hendrickson into the mat. Following a reset with 56 seconds remaining in the match, Kerkvliet was in control as he then pushed his riding time to over a minute.

The final seconds ticked away, and Greg Kerkvliet punches his ticket into the NCAA finals at 285!

Next Match: No. 1 Mason Parris (MICH)

Session IV Recap – Consolation Bracket

197
No. 9 Max Dean (PSU) vs. No. 11 Jaxon Smith (MD)

Result: Max Dean dec. over Jaxon Smith 3-2

No. 9 Max Dean (PSU) vs. No. 2 Bernie Truax (POLY)

Result: Bernie Truax dec. over Max Dean 8-6

Next Match: Max will wrestle in the 7th place match tomorrow.

And that’s it for tonight folks. Tune in tomorrow for more incredible wrestling action as the 2023 NCAA Wrestling Championships come to a close!