By: Pat Donghia

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; January 29, 2025 – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (9-0, 3-0 B1G) hosts Iowa (9-0, 3-0 B1G) in the first of two straight B1G Duals. The Nittany Lions and Hawkeyes battle at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, in a B1G Network national telecast. All rankings listed are InterMat/InterMat Tournament Power Index (TPI).

The Nittany Lions are coming off a rousing 35-3 win at Rutgers last Friday night in sold out Jersey Mike’s Arena. Penn State won nine of ten bouts, including four technical falls to improve to 9-0 on the year, 3-0 in Big Ten action.

Penn State’s line-up features ten ranked wrestlers. Luke Lilledahl is 10-1 and ranked No. 7 at 125. Braeden Davis is 7-2 and No. 7 at 133. Beau Bartlett is 12-0 and No. 3 at 141. Shayne Van Ness is 11-1 and No. 4 at 149. Tyler Kasak is 11-0 and No. 3 at 157. Mitchell Mesenbrink is 13-0 and No. 1 at 165. Levi Haines is 11-1 and No. 2 at 174. Carter Starocci is 12-0 and No. 1 at 184. Josh Barr is 10-0 and No. 4 at 197. Greg Kerkvliet is 12-0 and No. 2 at 285.

Iowa is coming off a 24-13 home win over Ohio State last Saturday. The Hawkeyes improved to 9-0 as well, 3-0 in conference action. Iowa’s line-up features nine ranked wrestlers as well. Joey Cruz is No. 26 at 125. Drake Ayala is No. 3 at 133. Kyle Parco is No. 2 at 149. Jacori Teemer is No. 1 at 157. Mikey Caliendo is No. 2 at 165. Patrick Kennedy is No. 6 at 174. Gabe Arnold is No. 5 at 184. Stephen Buchanan is No. 1 at 197. Ben Kueter is No. 11 at 285. Iowa leads the all-time series with Penn State 28-13-2. The Nittany Lions have won three straight, including a 29-6 win at Iowa last year on Feb. 9, 2024, and a 23-14 win in the BJC two years ago on Jan. 27, 2023).

Penn State will host Michigan on Feb. 7 in the second BJC Dual. The Nittany Lions and Wolverines meet at 6 p.m. in another B1G Network national telecast. Two days later, Penn State hosts Maryland at 1 p.m. in Rec Hall on Feb. 9.

The 2024-25 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline. Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via X at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here.

1 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (9-0, 3-0 B1G)

125 #7 Luke Lilledahl Fr. Weldon Spring, Mo./Wyoming Seminary 10-1

133 #7 Braeden Davis So. Belleville, Mich./Dundee 7-2

141 #3 Beau Bartlett Sr.+ Tempe, Ariz./Wyoming Seminary 12-0

149 #4 Shayne Van Ness So. Somerville, N.J./Blair Academy 11-1

157 #3 Tyler Kasak So. Doylestown, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic 11-0

165 #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink So. Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead 13-0

174 #2 Levi Haines Jr. Arendtsville, Pa./Biglerville 11-1

184 #1 Carter Starocci Gr. Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep 12-0

197 #4 Josh Barr R-Fr. Davison, Mich./Davison 10-0

285 #2 Greg Kerkvliet Sr.+ Inver Grove Heights, Min../Simley 12-0

2 IOWA HAWKEYES (9-0, 3-0 B1G)

125 #26 Joey Cruz So. Fresno, Calif./Bullard 11-6

133 #3 Drake Ayala Jr. Ford Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge 11-1

141 Ryder Block Fr. Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock 2-4

149 #2 Kyle Parco Sr. Danville, Calif./De La Salle 13-0

157 #1 Jacori Teemer Gr. Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach 3-1

165 #2 Mikey Caliendo Jr. Geneva, Ill./Batavia 13-0

174 #6 Patrick Kennedy Sr. Kasson-Mantorville, Minn. 8-1

184 #5 Gabe Arnold Fr. Albany, Ga./Iowa City 11-1

197 #1 Stephen Buchanan Gr. Loyal, Wis./Loyal 13-0

285 #11 Ben Kueter Fr. Iowa City, Iowa 10-2

Individual rankings listed are InterMat as of 1-28-25 // Team ranking InterMat TPI