Penn State Wrestling Rankings: True Freshman Makes Big Leap

Photo by Penn State Wrestling: Braeden Davis

Davis’ ranking went slightly down following a 14- 7 loss to Nebraska’s Jacob Van Dee, who moved from No. 16 to No. 14. Davis has a big match slated for the Bryce Jordan Center Jan. 31, where he’s slated to take on Iowa’s Drake Ayala, who’s ranked No. 3.

141

No. 3 Beau Bartlett (no movement)

Beau Bartlett February 20, 2022 David Hague/NSN

Bartlett stays at No. 3 after a thrilling 8-7 win over No. 6 Brock Hardy of Nebraska that when down to the wire. Bartlett’s biggest dual meet of the season is scheduled for Friday, February 14 at Ohio State. If all goes according to plan, Bartlett will take on Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez, who beat him for the Big Ten and national championships last season.

149

No. 4 Shayne Van Ness (⬇️ 2)

Photo by Penn State Athletics: Shayne Van Ness

Van Ness had the chance to make a statement Friday night against Nebraska’s Ridge Lovett, who came in ranked No. 4. Instead, Lovett beat Van Ness 10-2, earning a bonus-point win, and moved to No. 3. Van Ness moved down from No. 2 to No. 4. Like Davis, Van Ness has a huge match against Iowa Jan. 31. He’s slated to face No. 2 Kyle Parco.

157

No. 3 Tyler Kasak (no change)

Kasak’s transition from 141 to 157 is going just fine. He’s 11-0, with the most recent win coming over No. 5  Antrell Taylor of Nebraska 9-3. Kasak’s biggest test would be scheduled for Jan. 31 since Iowa’s Jacobi Teemer is ranked No. 1. But Teemer is injured and likely won’t be ready before February.

165

No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (no change)

Photo by Penn State athletics: Mitchell Mesenbrink

The king stays the king. Mesenbrink came within two points of winning it all at 165 as a redshirt freshman last season. Right now, it’s his title to lose.

174

No. 2 Levi Haines (no change) 

Haines was the man at 157, winning a national championship this past March. But he’s taking on a new challenge at 174, and it’s going well. The only guy ahead of Haines is Missouri’s Keegan O’Toole, who won two national titles at 165. O’Toole beat Haines in overtime 4-1 this past December at the Collegiate Duals. But in Freestyle, Haines beat O’Toole 6-0 at the World Team Trials in September. There’s a good chance these two meet again in March, this time with the NCAA title on the line.

184

No. 1 Carter Starocci (no change)

Photo by Penn State Athletics: Carter Starocci

The king stays the king.

197

No. 4 Josh Barr (no change)

Barr has big shoes to fill jumping in at 197 for defending national champ and Hodge Trophy winner Aaron Brooks. But he’s doing quite well, improving to 11-0 Friday with a dominant 19-4 tech fall over Nebraska’s Camden McDaniel, who’s ranked No. 22. If all goes according to plan, Barr will have a big test against Iowa Jan. 31 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Iowa has Stephen Buchanan, who’s ranked No. 1.

285

No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet (no change)

Photo by Penn State Athletics: Greg Kerkvliet

Kerkvliet, the two-time defending national champ, would be an obvious No. 1 if Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson weren’t using his last season of college eligibility. But Steveson is doing just that, so Kerkvliet will probably be at No. 2 for a while. Nonetheless, Kerkvliet is still dominant, winning his first 11 matches. The latest triumph was a 20-2 tech fall over Nebraska’s Harley Andrews, who came in ranked No. 24 and actually rose to No. 21.

Penn State wrestling takes on Rutgers Friday, Jan. 24 in Piscataway. The dual meet is scheduled to begin at 8.