By Pat Donghia gopsupsports.com

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (10-0, 7-0 B1G) rolled to a 35-3 win over visiting Rutgers (10-5, 3-4 B1G) in the 2024 BJC Dual. Head coach Cael Sanderson’s crew won nine of ten bouts, including two wrestlers who moved up weights to take down ranked Scarlet Knights.

Senior Terrell Barraclough moved up to 174 and sophomore Lucas Cochran moved up to 285 to help Penn State notch the Big Ten victory. The win was the 1000th dual meet victory in Penn State wrestling history.

Action began at 125. Penn State true freshman Braeden Davis, ranked No. 2 at 125, used extra time to post a hard-fought 4-1 (sv) win over No. 19 Dean Peterson. Davis’ win gave Penn State an early 3-0 lead. Nittany Lion sophomore Aaron Nagao, ranked No. 6 at 133, battled No. 10 Dylan Shawver into extra time tied 6-6. Nagao took a low shot early in the extra period and Shawver countered for a takedown and a 9-6 (sv) win, tying the dual at 3-3.

Senior Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 1 at 141, scored in the final seconds to break a 1-1 tie, downing Rutgers’ Max Hermes 4-1 to give Penn State a 6-3 lead. True freshman Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 10 at 149, posted a strong win over No. 26 Michael Cetta. Kasak rode the strength of two first period takedowns to a 7-5 win. Sophomore Levi Haines, ranked No. 1 at 157, capped off a strong first half for Penn State by notching a first period pin over Rutgers’ Dylan Weaver. Haines’ fall at 1:31 gave Penn State a 15-3 lead at intermission.

Redshirt freshman Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 7 at 165, opened up the second half with a sizzling offensive show. Mesenbrink collected five takedowns on his way to an 18-3 technical fall at the 6:52 mark. With No. 1 Carter Starocci not wrestling, senior Terrell Barraclough moved up a weight to 174 and thrilled the BJC crowd with a big win over No. 13 Jackson Turley. Barraclough used a reversal and escape to work the bout into the third period tied 3-3. After Turley chose down, Barraclough controlled the Knight for the full third period and, with 2:49 riding time, posted the 4-3 win to give the Nittany Lions a 23-3 lead.

Graduate Bernie Truax, ranked No. 6 at 184, continued Penn State’s roll. Truax opened up an early lead and controlled the action for all seven minutes to post a 7-0 win with over 2:00 in riding time. Senior+ Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 197, picked up Penn State’s second fall of the evening. The Nittany Lion senior turned Michael Toranzo to his back for a first period pin at 1:45 to put Penn State up 32-3. Lucas Cochran moved up from 197 to step in for No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet at 285. Cochran kept Penn State winning. The Nittany Lion notched two takedowns against No. 8 Yara Slavikouski and rolled to an 8-3 win, capping off a perfect second half for Penn State. The Nittany Lions walked away with a 35-3 victory.

The Nittany Lions won the takedown war 15-4. Penn State tallied eight bonus points off two pins (Haines, Brooks) and one tech fall (Mesenbrink).

Penn State is now 10-0, 7-0 B1G. Rutgers falls to 10-5, 3-4 B1G. Penn State hosts Nebraska on Sunday, Feb. 18 in their next outing. The Nittany Lions and Cornhuskers meet at 4 p.m. in Rec Hall in another B1G Network national telecast.

The 2023-24 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline. Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via X/twitter 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 35, Rutgers 3

February 12, 2024 – Bryce Jordan Center – University Park, Pa.

125: #2 Braeden Davis PSU dec. #19 Dean Peterson RU, 4-1 (sv) 3-3
141: #1 Beau Bartlett PSU dec. Max Hermes RU, 4-1 6-3
149: #10 Tyler Kasak PSU dec. #26 Michael Cetta RU, 7-5 9-3
157: #1 Levi Haines PSU pinned Dylan Weaver RU, WBF (1:31) 15-3
165: #7 Mitchell Mesenbrink PSU tech fall Anthony White RU, 18-3 (TF; 6:52) 20-3
174: Terrell Barraclough PSU dec. #13 Jackson Turley RU, 4-3 23-3
184: #6 Bernie Truax PSU dec. Shane Cartagena-Walsh RU, 7-0 26-3
197: #1 Aaron Brooks PSU pinned Michael Toranzo RU, WBF (1:45) 32-3
285: Lucas Cochran PSU dec. #8 Yara Slavikouski RU, 7-3 35-3

Attendance: 12,049 (Penn State has wrestled in front of 79 sellouts in its last 82 home events, including 70-straight in Rec Hall and 9 of 12 in the BJC).
Records: Penn State (10-0, 7-0 B1G; Rutgers (10-5, 3-4 B1G)
Up Next for Penn State: Home vs. Nebraska, Sunday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m. in Rec Hall (B1G Network)

DUAL MEET BOUT-BY-BOUT:

125: True freshman Braeden Davis, ranked No. 2 at 125, took on No. 19 Dean Peterson. Davis worked the center of the mat for the opening minute, with Peterson locking up action to force a stalemate at 1:55. The Nittany Lion freshman fought off a Peterson effort to throw him, working the clock down to the :30 mark, countering the action as the first period ended. With the score tied at 0-0, Peterson chose down to start the second period. Davis worked the Knight to the mat, working his riding time to :52 before Peterson escaped to a 1-0 score. Davis stepped back from a quick Peterson shot and returned to his feet in the middle of the mat. Peterson stepped away from a slight Davis shot at :15 and the second period ended with Davis trailing 1-0. Davis chose down to start the third period. Davis chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie. The Nittany Lion freshman blew through a low double at the 1:20 mark, forcing a scramble. Peterson was able fight off Davis’ efforts, scrambling his way to the end of the period and sending the bout to sudden victory tied 1-1. Davis countered slipped through a low shot just :15 into the extra bout and finished off the takedown to post a 4-1 (sv) win.

133: Sophomore Aaron Nagao, ranked No. 6 at 133, met No. 10 Dylan Shawver. Shawver used a strong high single to notch a quick takedown and take a 3-1 lead after Nagao escaped at the 1:35 mark. Nago scrambled through a low single for a takedown of his own, taking a 4-3 lead at 1:10. Nagao controlled action from the top position. He finished the period on top and led 4-3 with :59 in riding time after one. Shawver chose neutral to start the second period. Nagao continued to shoot the Scarlet Knight backwards. Nagao maintained his position on the Nittany Lion logo, taking shots through the 1:00 mark. Shawver gave up a first stall warning and Nago turned a low single into a scramble with :30 on the clock. A potentially dangerous call stopped action at :18 and Nagao led 4-3 after two. Nagao chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 5-3 lead. Shawver turned a high shot into a takedown and Nagao escaped quickly, tying the bout at 6-6 with 1:20. Nagao continued to shoot low. He scrambled his way to the :35 mark before potentially dangerous stopped the bout once more. Nagao slid into control of Shawver’s ankle late, but the clock hit 0:00 and the bout moved to extra time. Nagao shot low again, Shawver skipped over top of the Lion and countered for a takedown and a 9-6 (sv) win.

141: Senior Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 1 at 141, battled Max Hermes. Bartlett worked the Nittany Lion logo, setting up on offense as Hermes defended. Hermes took a slight shot at 1:30, Bartlett, stepped away and a stalemate was called with 1:13 on the clock. Bartlett gained control of Hermes’ head, forcing it to the mat late. But action was stopped with another stalemate and the bout moved to the second period knotted in a 0-0 tie. Bartlett chose down to start the second period. Hermes gave up a stall warning to start the period and Bartlett escaped at 1:30 to take a 1-0 lead. The Nittany Lion senior worked the clock through the 1:00 mark, with Hermes hanging on to force another stalemate. Bartlett settled for a 1-0 lead after two periods. Hermes chose down to start the third period. Bartlett controlled the Knight until 1:21 when Hermes escaped to a 1-1 tie. With the clock at 1:00, Bartlett nearly connected on a single, but Hermes was able to defend the shot at :35. After a quick reset, Bartlett locked Hermes’ shoulders, worked his head to the mat and moved around for the winning takedown with just :04 on the clock. The late score gave Bartlett a 4-1 win.

149: True freshman Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 10 at 149, faced No. 26 Michael Cetta. Kasak attacked on offense right away, working his offense to a quick takedown and a 3-0 lead. He controlled the Knight for over :30 before Cetta escaped. Kasak continued to press on offense and took a 6-1 lead with another takedown at the 1:24 mark. Kasak built his riding time up over 1:00 before Cetta escaped to a 6-2 score. Kasak carried the 6-2 lead and 1:12 in riding time into the second period. Cetta chose down to start the second period. Kasak dominated action on top, looking for a chance to turn the Knight for back points. A potentially dangerous hold stopped action and forced a reset at 1:20. Cetta scrambled his way to a reversal with 1:20 on the clock, cutting Kasak’s lead to 6-4. Cetta finished the period on top and Kasak led 6-4 with :54 in time after two. Kasak chose down to start the third period and Cetta allowed him up to a 7-4 lead. Kasak stepped back from a quick Cetta shot and defended his position on the Lion logo through 1:00. Kasak gave up a stall warning at :30 and then fought off a Cetta single to the :23 mark, forcing a reset. Kasak gave up a late stall point and nearly scored down the stretch, but time ran out. Kasak’s strong first period gave the Nittany Lion a 7-5 win.

157: Sophomore Levi Haines, ranked No. 1 at 157, faced Dylan Weaver. Haines scored quickly, taking a fast low shot to open up a 3-0 lead in the opening seconds. He nearly turned Weaver for a fall, but the Knight scrambled through the effort. Haines maintained his top position as the clock moved to 1:50. He worked his way into a cradle and turned Haines to his back for the first period pin. Haines picked up the fall at 1:31.

165: Redshirt freshman Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 7 at 165, battled Anthony White. Mesenbrink fought off a quick White shot, scrambled through the effort and worked his way into control and a takedown of his own at the 2:10 mark. Leading 3-0, Mesenbrink went to work on top, looking for a chance to turn the Knight for nearfall points. Mesenbrink cut White loose on a reset, then blew through a low shot for a second takedown and a 6-1 lead. The Nittany Lion freshman built his time up over 1:00 while White bellied out on the Penn State logo. White gave up a stall warning at :20 and Mesenbrink finished the period on top to lead 6-1 with 2:00 in time after one. White chose down to start the second period and Mesenbrink went back to work, looking for nearfall. Mesenbrink was called for stalling on top at 1:28 and he cut White loose to a 6-2 score on the reset. The Lion freshman zipped through a quick takedown to lead 9-2 at 1:00. He picked up a stall point at :42 to lead 10-2 with over 3:00 in riding time. White fought off Mesenbrink’s efforts to turn him, but the Nittany Lion finished the period on top to lead 10-2 with 3:43 in riding time. With riding time clinched, Mesenbrink chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to an 11-2 lead. Mesenbrink notched another takedown to lead 14-3 after cutting White loose with just 1:05 on the clock. He worked a high shot into a takedown at :50 to lead 17-3. Mesenbrink picked up a stall point, then turned a stall point into an 18-3 tech fall at 6:52.

174: With No. 1 Carter Starocci not wrestling, Terrell Barraclough moved up to 174 and faced No. 13 Jackson Turley. The duo battled evenly through the first minute-plus before Turley notched the bout’s first takedown, opening up a 3-1 lead after quick Barraclough escape. The duo then worked the center of the mat with Barraclough taking short shots and Turley stepping back from the efforts. Trailing 3-1, Barraclough chose down to start the second period. He worked his way to his feet, kept control of Turley’s foot in the process and reversed the Scarlet Knight to tie the bout at 3-3 with 1:30 on the clock. Barraclough maintained control of the Knight deep into the second period. He worked the ranked Knight flat at the :20 mark and finished the period on top. Tied 3-3, Turley chose down to start the third period. Barraclough maintained control and built his riding time up over 1:00 as the clock moved down below 1:30. Barraclough continued to work Turley flat. A stalemate was called as the clock hit :52 and blood time followed for Turley. Barraclough worked the clock down to :30 with a strong ride with riding time clinched. After a short roll, Barraclough worked Turley flat and finished off the rideout, using 2:49 in riding time to post the thrilling 4-3 win.

184: Graduate Bernie Truax, ranked No. 6 at 184, took on Shane Cartagena-Walsh. Truax scored quickly, opening up a 3-0 lead with a lift and takedown in the opening minute. He turned top control into over 1:00 in riding time, picking up a stall warning in the process. After a reset at 1:04, Truax worked for near fall points and took a 4-0 lead on a late stall point. The Nittany Lion finished the period on top to carry that lead into the second period. Truax chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 5-0 lead. Truax worked the middle of the mat as the clock moved through the :45 mark, picking up another stall point to lead 6-0 after two periods. Cartagena-Walsh chose neutral to start the third period and Truax went looking for a takedown. Cartagena-Walsh was able to keep the Nittany Lion at arm’s length as the clock moved through :30. Truax chased the Knight to the end of the bout and posted a 7-0 win with 2:02 in riding time.

197: Senior+ Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 197, met Michael Toranzo. Brooks scored quickly, taking Toranzo down at the 2:20 mark for a quick 3-0 lead. He built up over 1:00 in riding time and then ended the bout. Brooks turned Toranzo to his back and picked up the fast fall, getting the first period pin at the 1:45 mark.

285: Sophomore 197 pounder moved up for No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet at 285 and battled No. 8 Yara Slavikouski. Cochran battled the Knight heavyweight evenly for the first 1:30 and then moved in on offense. He worked his way into control of Slavikouski’s ankle and, after pulling the big man back on to the mat, finished off the takedown to open up a 3-0 lead. The Knight was able to escape before the period ended and Cochran led 3-1 after one. Cochran chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-1 lead. Cochran turned a low single into control of the Knight’s left ankle again and nearly finished off a takedown before a dangerous hold stopped action at 1:00. The Nittany Lion sophomore continued to press the action for the remainder of the period and led 4-1 after two. Slavikouski chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 4-2 score. The Knight took a slight shot and Cochran countered the effort, turning in to control for a second takedown and a 7-2 lead. The Nittany Lion sophomore built his riding time point up to 1:00 before the Knight escaped to a 7-3 score with :40 left in the bout. He finished the period on his feet and, with 1:00 in riding time, posted the thrilling 8-3 win.