By: Pat Donghia

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Penn State (14-0, 7-0 B1G) Nittany Lion wrestling team rolled over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 33-8 in its final road dual of the 2022-23 season. Penn State won the dual’s final eight bouts (seven for bonus) to grab the impressive Big Ten road win. All rankings listed are InterMat/InterMat Team TPI (Feb. 7, 2023).

The dual meet began at 125 where redshirt freshman Gary Steen lost to No. 16 Dean Peterson, 21-6 (TF; 6:11). Junior Baylor Shunk took the mat at 133 and dropped a hard fought 7-2 decision to No. 15 Joe Heilmann, giving Rutgers an early 8-0 lead. Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 6 at 141, controlled the action in his bout with No. 19 Joseph Olivieri. Van Ness scored eight points in the third period to roll to a 12-1 major decision.

Redshirt freshman Shayne Van Ness, ranked No. 13 at 149, controlled Tony White in a 21-9 major decision. Van Ness, like Bartlett, dominated the third period. He scored 11 points in the final two minutes and tied the dual meet at 8-8 with his major. True freshman Levi Haines, ranked No. 8 at 157, posted an impressive 8-2 win over No. 33 Andrew Clark for Penn State’s third straight win in the dual. Haines’ win sent Penn State into the halftime break leading 11-8.

Redshirt freshman Alex Facundo, ranked No. 9 at 165, rolled up 10 takedowns to post an impressive 25-12 major over Luke Gayer to start the second half (five of them came in the third period). Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, rolled up five takedowns and a four-point turn in a convincing 16-3 major over Jackson Turley, . Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 184, rolled up five takedowns and two four-point turns to post an impressive 18-3 tech fall over No. 14 Brian Soldano at the 4:05 mark.

Max Dean, ranked No. 3 at 197, yet another Penn State bonus point victory with an 11-1 major over Billy Janzer. Dean’s win put Penn State on top 28-8. Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 2 at 285, capped off the outstanding Nittany Lion performance with a quick 16-0 tech fall over RU’s Kyle Epperly. Kerkvliet use a first period takedown and then three four-point turns and a two-pointer to post the tech at the 2:06 mark. Penn State walked away with the 33-8 dual meet victory after Kerkvliet’s efforts.

Penn State rolled up 37 takedowns in the dual meet while RU had 14. The Nittany Lions, winning eight of ten bouts, picked up nine bonus points off two tech falls (Brooks, Kerkvliet) and five majors (Bartlett, Van Ness, Facundo, Starocci, Dean).

The Nittany Lions are now 14-0 overall, 7-0 B1G. Rutgers falls to 10-6, 2-5 B1G. Penn State returns to Rec Hall to host Maryland on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m.

The 2022-23 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline. Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via 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 33, Rutgers 8

February 10, 2023 – Piscataway, N.J.

125: #16 Dean Peterson RU tech fall Gary Steen PSU, 21-6 (TF; 6:11) 0-5
133: Baylor Shunk PSU dec. Baylor Shunk PSU, 7-2 0-8
141: #6 Beau Bartlett PSU maj. dec. #19 Joseph Olivieri RU, 12-1 4-8
149: #13 Shayne Van Ness PSU maj. dec. Tony White RU, 21-9 8-8
157: #8 Levi Haines PSU dec. #33 Andrew Clark RU, 8-2 11-8
165: #9 Alex Facundo PSU maj. dec. Luke Gayer RU, 25-12 15-8
174: #1 Carter Starocci PSU maj. dec. Jackson Turley RU, 16-3 19-8
184: #1 Aaron Brooks PSU tech fall #14 Brian Soldano RU, 18-3 24-8
197: #3 Max Dean PSU maj. dec. Billy Janzer RU, 11-1 28-8
285: #2 Greg Kerkvliet PSU tech fall Kyle Epperly RU, 16-0 (TF; 2:06) 33-8
Records: Penn State (14-0, 7-0 B1G); Rutgers (10-6, 2-5 B1G)
Attendance: 7,848
Up Next for Penn State: home vs. Maryland, Sunday, Feb. 12, 1 p.m. – Rec Hall

DUAL MEET BOUT-BY-BOUT:

125: Gary Steen took on No. 16 Dean Peterson at 125. Steen took a quick shot at the 2:45 mark but Peterson quickly countered the move and took Steen down for an early 2-0 lead. Steen scrambled his way to an escaped and a 2-1 score with 2:00 on the clock. Peterson and Steen battled on the edge of the mat until a reset was called at 1:11. The duo traded shots as the clock moved below the 1:00 mark but Steen gave up a stall warning in the process. Peterson rolled through a takedown in the final seconds to lead 4-1 after one. Peterson chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 5-1 lead. Peterson used a high shot for a third takedown and a 7-1 lead with 1:40 on the clock. Steen escaped to a 7-2 score but Peterson quickly answered with another takedown. Steen escaped once more but Peterson turned shoulder control into another takedown and an 11-3 lead. He finished off the period with a four point turn and Steen trailed 15-3 after two. Steen chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 15-4 score. Peterson finished off the tech fall with three more takedowns, posting the 21-6 tech fall at the 6:11 mark.

133: Baylor Shunk met No. 15 Joe Heilmann at 133. Heilmann worked his way behind Shunk for a takedown and a 2-0 lead at the 2:11 mark and Shunk quickly escaped to a 2-1 score. Heilmann turned a low shot into a scramble and then a takedown and a 4-1 lead at 1:20. Heilmann finished the period on top and led 4-1 with 1:42 in riding time after one. Heilmann chose neutral to start the second period. He turned a low single into another takedown to lead 6-2 at 1:05 after a quick Shunk escape. Shunk fought off another Heilmann effort, forcing a stalemate and neutral restart with :23 left in the period. Shunk chose down to start the third period. Heilmann added to his riding time edge, clinching it as the clock hit 1:30. Shunk worked his way to his feet but could not break free of the Knight’s control as time moved below 1:00. Shunk fought off Heilmann’s efforts to turn him but the Scarlet Knight was able to finish the period on top. With 3:59 in riding time, Heilmann posted the 7-2 win over Shunk.

141: Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 6 at 141, met No. 19 Joseph Olivieri. Bartlett and Olivieri worked the middle of the mat for the opening minute-plus. Bartlett stepped away from a slight Rutgers show at 1:20 and then moved back into position in the middle of the mat. The Lion junior took a low shot at the :35 mark and finished off the takedowns in the waning seconds to lead 2-0 after one. Olivieri chose down to start the second period. Bartlett held control for :40 before Olivieri escaped to a 2-1 score. Bartlett stayed aggressive on his feet, forcing a stall warning before taking a low shot. Bartlett turned the shot into control of Olivieri’s leg, then a takedown and a 4-1 lead. He finished on top to carry that lead into the third period. Bartlett chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 5-1 lead. Bartlett continued to take quick shots as the clock moved below 1:00. He connected on a high shot at :45 and then lifted Olivieri off the ground. He settled the Knight back onto the mat, on his back, and picked up the takedown and four back points. Bartlett nearly pinned Olivieri but settled for a convincing 12-1 major decision with 1:30 in riding time.

149: Shayne Van Ness, ranked No. 13 at 149, took on Tony White. Van Ness and White worked in neutral for the first minute before Van Ness exploded through a fast low shot for a takedown and a 2-1 lead after cutting the Knight loose. He quickly added a second takedown and led 4-1 at 1:25. He cut White loose and the Knight was able to sneak in a takedown to tie the bout at 4-4. Van Ness was steady underneath, however, working his way to a reversal and a 6-4 lead after the opening period. White chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 6-5 score. Van Ness went to work on his feet, moving White backwards. He connected on another shot, lifting White off the mat and taking him down for an 8-6 lead after cutting him loose. Van Ness added one more takedown in the late seconds, finished on top, and led 10-6 after two. Van Ness chose down to start the third period, quickly escaped, and then moved in for another takedown and a 13-6 lead. He cut White loose and the Knight managed a second takedown. Van Ness escaped to a 14-9 lead with :50 left in the bout. Van Ness stayed on offense. He turned a late shot into a near fall, taking White to his back and nearly pinning him. But time ran out on Van Ness’ pinning efforts. The late move, however, gave the Nittany Lion six points and, with riding time, he posted the 21-9 major.

157: No. 8 Levi Haines met No. 33 Andrew Clark at 157. Haines and Clark worked the middle of the mat for the opening minute-plus. Haines fought off a solid Clark shot at the 1:50 mark, rolling out of trouble as action moved out of bounds at 1:30. Haines turned a high single into a scramble at the :40 mark, eventually getting the takedown with :20 left. He finished the period non top and led 2-0 after one. Haines chose down to start the second period. Haines was able to work his way to his feet and scrambled to the escaped at 1:30, taking a 3-0 lead. Haines worked on the Rutgers logo, trying to break through Clark’s defense. The Knight finally took a shot but Haines scrambled his way into a scoring position, picking up the takedown with :05 left to lead 5-0 after two. Clark chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 5-1 score. Haines continued to shoot, working another high single into a takedown and a 7-1 lead with 1:05 left in the bout. Haines cut Clark loose to a 7-2 score at :24 and then moved in for another takedown, looking for bonus points. Haines appeared to secure a takedown after another shot in the final seconds, but none was awarded. The official reviewed the action and still did not give the takedown so Haines settled for the 8-2 win (with 1:02 in riding time).

165: No. 9 Alex Facundo battled Luke Gayer at 165. Facundo and Gayer battled evenly for the first minute before Facundo turned a quick low shot into ankle control. He worked Gayer to the mat and tried to pull the fleeing Knight back onto the mat. He settled in and finished off the takedown after some work and led 2-0 at :58. Gayer worked his way to an escaped but Facundo quickly turned a fast low double into another takedown and a 4-1 lead. He finished the period on top and carried that lead into the second period. Facundo chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 5-1 lead. He bulled through a high shot for a 7-1 lead and then built his riding time up near 1:00 before cutting Gayer loose. Facundo quickly took Gayer down again to lead 9-3 after another cut. The Lion freshman gave up a takedown but then quickly escaped and moved in for another takedown to lead 12-5 with over 1:00 in time after two. Gayer chose down to start the third, Facundo cut him loose, forced a stall and then took him down to lead 14-6. Facundo added two more takedowns in the next :30 to lead 18-8 with riding time at the 1:00 mark. Facundo added two more quick takedowns, then a third. He cut him loose at :09. He tried for the tech fall with a late takedown but Gayer backed away to kill the clock. Facundo notched an impressive 25-12 tech fall with 2:10 in riding time.

174: Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, faced Jackson Turley. Starocci quickly took Turley down for an early 2-1 lead. The Lion junior worked the center of the mat and eventually took the Knight down a second time. He steadily worked Turley’s shoulders over, nearly pinning him during a four-point turn. Starocci finished the period on top and led 8-1 with 1:40 in riding time after one. Starocci chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 9-1 lead. Starocci’s offense led to a third takedown and an 11- lead with 1:15 on the clock. Starocci cut Turley loose with :45 on the clock and then moved in for another takedown at the :22 mark. Starocci finished the period on top and led 13-2 with 2:07 in time after two. Turley chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 13-3 score. Starocci turned a low single into a scrambled at the 1:15 mark. Turley worked his way out of bounds and forced a reset with :50 left in the match. Starocci zipped through a fast low shot to take a 15-3 lead at the :20 mark. He finished on top and, with 2:37 in riding time, rolled to the 16-3 major.

184: No. 1 Aaron Brooks battled No. 14 Brian Soldano at 184. Brooks rallied for two fast takedowns in the first minute to lead 4-2 early. The Nittany Lion senior stayed aggressive on offense pushed through a third takedown for a 6-3 lead at 1:30. Brooks pulled Soldano’s wrist to the mat and moved around for a fourth takedown at 1:10. He then rulled through a turn, picked up four back points and led 12-3 with :55. Brooks finished the period on top and lead 12-3 after one. After a neutral start, Brooks quickly took Soldano down once more to open up a 14-3 lead. He forced Soldano into a stall and then turned him one more time for four back points to post the 18-3 tech fall at the 4:05 mark.

197: Max Dean, ranked No. 3 at 197, met Billy Janzer. Dean and Janzer battled in neutral in the middle of the mat over the first minute-plus. Dean set the offensive tempo, forcing the Knight backwards as the clock moved to 1:00. The action stayed in the center of the mat on the Rutgers logo. Dean forced Janzer into a stall warning late and the bout moved to the second stanza tied 0-0. Dean chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Dean continued to pressure Janzer but the Scarlet Knight was able to back away. Dean continued to chase Janzer around the mat and finally worked a single leg into a takedown and a 3-0 lead with :35 on the clock. Dean nearly turned Janzer for back points but the period ended and he settled for a 3-0 lead after two. Janzer chose neutral to start the third period. Dean nearly took him down off the whistle but Janzer was able to continue to back out of trouble. Dean picked up a stall point at 1:20 and then took the Knight down again to open up a 6-0 lead. Dean cut Janzer loose on the reset and continued in on offense. He took Janzer down then cut him loose, then quickly took him down again to open up a 10-2 lead. With riding time in hand, Dean finished the period on top and rolled to the 11-1 major decision.

285: Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 2 at 285, took on Kyle Epperly. Kerkvliet took Epperly down off the opening whistle and led 2-0 early. He turned Epperly for four back points, reset, then turned him again for another four to lead 10-0 at 1:30. Kerkvliet picked up a third four point turn to lead 14-0. He reset one final time and turned him for two back points to post the quick 16-0 technical fall at the 2:06 mark.