TAKEAWAYS: Penn State wrestling uses late dual comeback to win Big Ten title

No. 1 Penn State wrestling took down No. 4 Nebraska 22-13 in front of a sold-out Rec Hall on Sunday to claim the program’s fourth consecutive outright Big Ten Regular Season Championship, the 10th of the Cael Sanderson era. While, at a high level, Sunday’s victory displayed the dominance of the Penn State wrestling program yet again, on the mat, the Nittany Lions were pushed closer to the limit than at any point this season. Did Penn State show signs of potential vulnerability in the program’s 55th consecutive dual win?

Another learning experience for Braeden Davis

No. 6 Braeden Davis dropped his second match of the season, an 11-3 major decision to No. 12 Caleb Smith of Nebraska. However, all of the scoring for Smith came in the third period. Up until that point, Davis trailed just 1-0 after two periods, and it appeared the two were on the same level.

Smith then scored a takedown, four nearfall points, and another takedown to run away with the major decision. This match and final period will be a learning experience for Braeden Davis. The true freshman got in some unfortunate spots that he will certainly be able to reflect on and improve upon.

When Smith was attempting to score the first takedown, Davis continued to scramble to try and avoid it at all costs. While this is something that has made the true freshman successful this season, it sort of bit him in this match. Smith was able to get Davis to his back for nearfall points to essentially ice it.

The lack of offense in recent weeks from Braeden Davis is certainly something to monitor moving forward. This part of the dual schedule was always going to be a massive test for the true freshman, and it appears he still has some work to do moving forward. While it may take a few upsets, there is still a reason to believe he can become an All-American in the unpredictable 125-pound weight class at NCAAs next month.

Beau Bartlett can win in different ways

No. 1 Beau Bartlett took a page out of teammate Mitchell Mesenbrink’s playbook, attacking early against No. 7 Brock Hardy of Nebraska. The veteran immediately scored a takedown and was out in front 3-1 after the first period. Another takedown in the second, and it was a comfortable 7-2 lead heading into the third.

Hardy then got a takedown of his own. After Bartlett escaped, he took a defensive mindset to hold on for the 9-6 victory.

The flow of this match was something we haven’t seen in a lot of previous Bartlett matches. Bartlett was the aggressor early and was able to hold off his opponent late and protect the lead. Oftentimes, this year, we have seen the senior wear down his opponents and score late to secure the win.

The win proved why Bartlett is not just a contender, but the favorite at 141 pounds. Great wrestlers can adapt and win in multiple ways. That is what we saw on Sunday.

Tyler Kasak holds his own against No. 1

Probably the loudest that Rec Hall got on Sunday was when No. 9 Tyler Kasak took down No. 1 Ridge Lovett of Nebraska in the first period at 149 pounds. Although Lovett was able to get a quick reversal, Kasak led 3-2 after one period, and it was tied 3-3 after two.

Lovett would then get a takedown in the third period that essentially iced it, pulling out the 7-3 victory. But Tyler Kasak demonstrated in the match that he can contend with the top wrestlers at his weight class. He came out aggressive and looked like he belonged on the mat with the now 21-0 Ridge Lovett.

This is a promising sign for Penn State wrestling as the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments approach. There is a good chance that the true freshman can reach All-American status and could make a deep run to the semifinals if he wrestles to his potential in March.

Mesenbrink uses comeback to remain undefeated

No. 6 Mitchell Mesenbrink found himself in a spot that he hasn’t experienced often this season: down in the first period. No. 15 Antrell Taylor gave the freshman a dose of his own medicine and secured the early opening-period takedown.

What we then saw from Mesenbrink was more of what we are used to, as he picked up two takedowns and defeated Taylor with a 9-5 decision. It was a different style of win for the dominant freshman, but one that will certainly benefit his long-term development.

Having the ability to come from behind after being punched in the mouth is important for the postseason. It is the difference between making a deep run and getting upset in the early rounds. You never know how a first period can go sideways, but being able to compose yourself and find a way to win is something that can’t be taught.

Mesenbrink is thought to be one of the top contenders at 165 pounds. We will see exactly where he falls in the latest InterMat Rankings on Tuesday, but continuing to pick up quality wins in the Big Ten Tournament will only help his case for the NCAAs when seeding begins.

Bernie Truax flashes potential in loss

No. 6 Bernie Truax fell 8-6 to No. 3 Lenny Pinto in what was one of the best bouts of the dual. Pinto jumped out to an early 6-2

first-period lead, thanks to a pair of takedowns. However, Truax battled back in the third period with a takedown of his own. After letting Pinto back up for the escape, Truax was unable to get the final takedown despite a close call that went for a review as time expired.

While the result of this match was a loss, it showed that Truax can compete with the top wrestlers at 184 pounds. If Pinto and Truax are to meet again in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments, it could go either way. Eliminate the slow start, and maybe we are talking about Truax moving up in the updated rankings on Tuesday.

The potential to make a deep run in March is still there for the grad transfer. Bernie Truax has finished fourth in three consecutive NCAA Tournaments, and part of that is his ability to turn it on for the postseason. He currently sits with a 10-3 record, but performing well in the Big Ten Tournament will be key to getting a good seed for the NCAAs.

Nebraska proves to be the toughest opponent for Penn State in final Big Ten dual of the season

This dual was the first time that Penn State wrestling was truly tested this season. It started at 125 pounds, where No. 12 Caleb Smith upset No. 6 Braeden Davis. Then, Nebraska took advantage of Aaron Nagao’s absence due to injury to take an early lead. Penn State didn’t take its first lead until the tech fall by Carter Starocci at 174 made the score 14-10.

The result may have never been truly in doubt, however. Everyone knew that 174, 197, and heavyweight are just about locks for the Nittany Lions. Sure enough, Starocci got a tech fall, Brooks a major, and Kerkvliet a major. Winning four of the final five matches is something that Penn State wrestling has grown accustomed to.

Nebraska took four of the 10 bouts and scored 13 points. Both are the best results against Penn State in a dual this season. While the Nittany Lions may be one of the better teams in recent memory, this result goes to show how duals come down to matchups. Even national title teams can lose a few bouts.

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