Penn State wrestling rolls through day one of NCAA Championships

Penn State wrestling continued to roll with a perfect second round Thursday night at the NCAA Championships in Kansas City. The Nittany Lions went 10-0 on the evening, advancing eight wrestlers to Friday’s quarterfinals and extending their lead to 10 points after day one of the tournament.

Penn State wrestling advances eight to NCAA Championships quarterfinals

Penn State wrestling advanced all eight wrestlers who participated in the second round of the championship bracket to the quarterfinals. The Nittany Lions picked up plenty of bonus points in the process, with two falls, a tech fall, and two majors in the round. Aaron Nagao and Tyler Kasak picked up bonus points and advanced in the consolation bracket, as well.

The Nittany Lions finish day one with a solid 34.5 points, giving them a 10-point lead over Iowa and Iowa State, who are tied for second with 24.5 points. The teams will really begin to separate on Friday, as placement points will start to be awarded.  There is a good chance that Penn State wrestling clinches the title during day two, if Cael Sanderson can send at least five wrestlers to the finals and continue to have success in wrestlebacks.

Beau Bartlett shines in round two

Beau Bartlett struggled a bit in round one, needing a late score to pull out the 6-1 win in a match in which he was heavily favored. It appeared to be going the same way early in Bartlett’s second-round matchup. Then, with a 4-1 lead in the third, Bartlett was able to put Mitch Moore (RUT) into a cradle and, within seconds, pick up the pin to end the dual.

The win reassured Penn State that, while Bartlett is a patient wrestler, he can still turn it on when he needs to. With the competition ramping up in the quarterfinals, the pin could help give the senior some momentum as he looks for the first National Championship of his career.

Session two recap:

125: No. 1 Braeden Davis (PSU) def No. 17 Brett Ungar (COR) by 2-1 decision

133: No. 10 Aaron Nagao (PSU) def  Kade Moore (MIZZ) by 16-1 tech fall (consolation)

141: No. 2 Beau Bartlett (PSU) def No. 15 Mitch Moore (RUT) by fall 3:49

149: No. 7 Tyler Kasak (PSU) def  No. 23 Drew Roberts (MINN) by 14-5 major decision (consolation)

157: No. 1 Levi Haines (PSU) def  No. 16 Teague Travis (OKST) by 19-4 tech fall

165: No. 2 Mitchell Mesenbrink (PSU) def  No. 15 Brevin Cosella (BING) by 11-3 major decision

174: No. 9 Carter Starocci (PSU) def No. 8 Adam Kemp (POLY) by 5-3 decision

184: No. 6 Bernie Truax (PSU) def No. 11 Colton Hawks (MIZZ) by 4-2 decision

197: No. 1 Aaron Brooks (PSU) def  No. 17 Joseph Novak (WYO) by fall 2:20

285: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) def  No. 17 Grady Griess (NAVY) by 9-1 major decision

Team standings following day one:

No. 1: Penn State – 34.5

T-No.2: Iowa – 24.5

T-No. 2: Iowa State – 24.5

T-No. 4: Michigan – 22

T-No. 4: NC State – 22

The third session of the NCAA Championships begins Friday at noon on ESPN.

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