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Penn State Wrestling: Nittany Lions Dominate Day 1 of US Open

By Mike Scott

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 18: Head coach Cael Sanderson of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts during the championship finals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 18, 2017 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Hunter Martin/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 18: Head coach Cael Sanderson of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts during the championship finals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 18, 2017 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Hunter Martin/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 23: Jason Nolf of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates as he gets his hand raised after winning the 157 pound title during the championship finals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 23, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 23: Jason Nolf of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates as he gets his hand raised after winning the 157 pound title during the championship finals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 23, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

Next up is 74KG where we are represented by two former Penn State Wrestling national champions, Jason Nolf and Vincenzo Joseph.

Nolf entered the weight class as the favorite to win and compete at Final X. Nolf is the #1 seed and made quick work of his opponents in the first three rounds. Nolf won the first three matches without allowing a point to his opponent.

Jason Nolf was onto the semifinals where he faced #4 seed Keegan O’Toole. This was a great match and a lot closer than the final score indicated. Nolf jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first period and it was too much for O’Toole to overcome. Nolf held onto a 9-2 victory and is onto the finals.

Vincenzo Joseph entered as the #3 seed. Joseph found himself down early in the round of 32 against Bryce Hepner but quickly battled back and secured a 17-6 victory in a high-scoring contest. Joseph then picked up two quick 11-0 wins in the round of 16 and quarterfinals.

Joseph was onto the semifinals where he wrestled #7 Joshua Shields. There wasn’t too much successful offense in this, which makes sense as both wrestlers know each other well as they train together at Sunkist. Joseph eventually gained a 5-3 victory and is onto the finals.

So we will see our two former Penn State Wrestling national champions head to head in the finals at 74KG. #1 Jason Nolf will take on his former teammate, #3 Vincenzo Joseph. Nolf would be considered the favorite heading into the bout, but we’ve seen Joseph knock off #1 seeds in finals before.

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