By: Pat Donghia

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (8-0, 5-0 B1G) downed visiting Ohio State (12-2, 4-1 B1G) 28-9 in sold out Rec Hall on Friday night. The Nittany Lions won eight of ten bouts to claim the home win.

The dual was wrestled in front of a crowd of over 6,600 fans, the 70th straight Penn State wrestling sellout in Rec Hall. Penn State gave up only three takedowns in the match.

Action began at 125. Penn State true freshman Braeden Davis, ranked No. 3 at 125, used a second period takedown to open up lead against Ohio State’s Vinny Kilkeary. He fought off a late scramble as time expired and posted the 4-3 win. Sophomore Aaron Nagao, ranked No. 5 at 133, fell behind early to No. 12 Nic Bouzakis, rallied down the stretch but lost a tough 13-7 decision. Senior Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 2 at 141, battled No. 3 Jesse Mendez evenly for the first seven minutes with the duo trading escapes to finish regulation tied 1-1. Bartlett turned a scramble early in sudden victory into neutral danger and a takedown to grab the thrilling 4-1 (sv) win and give the Nittany Lions a 6-3 lead.

True freshman Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 12 at 149, dominated action against No. 9 Dylan D’Emilio in a 7-2 win. Kasak used two near fall points to open up a lead and rolled to the win with 2:07 in riding time. Sophomore Levi Haines, ranked No. 1 at 157, sent Penn State into the halftime break with another win, controlling No. 29 Isaac Wilcox in a convincing 11-3 major decision. Haines’ effort gave the Nittany Lions an 11-3 lead at the break.

Redshirt freshman Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 7 at 165, tallied two first period takedowns and added two reversals to post an impressive 10-4 win over No. 20 Bryce Hepner to give Penn State a 16-3 lead. Senior Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, rode a first period takedown to a hard-fought 4-2 win over No. 11 Rocco Welsh. Graduate Bernie Truax, ranked No. 5 at 184, was leading Ryder Rogotzke 9-3 midway through the second period, rolling up three quick pins, before the Buckeye turned the tables with a quick fall during a scramble, getting the pin at 3:59 to cut Penn State’s lead to 19-9.

Senior+ Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 197, controlled No. 22 Luke Geog to work his way to a 22-6 technical fall at the 6:21 mark. Brooks had seven takedowns in the victory, giving Penn State a 24-9 lead. Senior Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 1 at 285, closed out the big win with a dominant performance over No. 12 Nick Feldman. Kerkvliet rolled to a 12-0 major decision off three takedowns and nearly 4:00 in riding time and Penn State posted the 28-9 dual meet win.

The Nittany Lions had a wide 23-3 edge in takedowns in the dual. Penn State picked up four bonus points off a tech fall (Brooks) and two majors (Haines, Kerkvliet).

Penn State is now 8-0, 5-0 B1G. Ohio State falls to 12-2, 4-1 B1G. Penn State travels to Iowa next weekend for its final road dual. The Nittany Lions and Hawkeyes meet on Friday, Feb. 9, at 9 p.m. Eastern (8 p.m. local) in a B1G Network national telecast. Penn State then hosts Rutgers on Monday, Feb. 12, in the 2024 BJC Dual. Action at the Bryce Jordan Center begins at 7 p.m., also live on the B1G Network.

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 28, #17 Ohio State 9

February 2, 2024 – Rec Hall – University Park, Pa.

125: #3 Braeden Davis PSU dec. Vinny Kilkeary OSU, 4-3 3-0
133: #12 Nic Bouzakis OSU dec. #5 Aaron Nagao PSU, 13-7 3-3
141: #2 Beau Bartlett PSU dec. #3 Jesse Mendez OSU, 4-1 (sv) 6-3
149: #12 Tyler Kasak PSU dec. #9 Dylan D’Emilio OSU, 7-2 9-3
157: #1 Levi Haines PSU maj. dec. #29 Isaac Wilcox OSU, 11-3 13-3
165: #7 Mitchell Mesenbrink PSU dec. #20 Bryce Hepner OSU, 10-4 16-3
174: #1 Carter Starocci PSU dec. #11 Rocco Welsh OSU, 4-2 19-3
184: Ryder Rogotzke OSU pinned #5 Bernie Truax PSU, WBF (3:59) 19-9
197: #1 Aaron Brooks PSU tech fall #22 Luke Geog OSU, 22-6 (TF; 6:21) 24-9
285: #1 Greg Kerkvliet PSU maj. dec. #12 Nick Feldman, 12-0 28-9
Attendance: 6,659 (Penn State has wrestled in front of 79 of 81 sell-outs at home, including 70-straight in Rec Hall and 9 of 11 in the Bryce Jordan Center)
Records: Penn State (8-0, 5-0 B1G); Ohio State (12-2, 4-1 B1G)
Up Next for Penn State: at Iowa, Friday, Feb. 9, 9 p.m. Eastern (8 p.m. local), B1G Network; home vs. Rutgers, Monday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. Eastern, Bryce Jordan Center, B1G Network

DUAL MEET BOUT-BY-BOUT:

125: True freshman Braeden Davis, ranked No. 3 at 125, took on Vinny Kilkeary. Davis and Kilkeary worked for position over the opening minute, wrestling on the Nittany Lion logo. The first period moved through the 1:00 mark in neutral. Each wrestler took a slight shot in the waning seconds and the bout moved to the second period tied 0-0. Kilkeary chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Davis worked in neutral and broke through, turning a low shot into a takedown and a 3-1 lead. He gave up a stall warning during a ride and Kilkeary escaped to a 3-2 score with :20 on the clock. Leading 3-2, Davis chose down to start the third period. He worked his way to a quick escape and led 4-2 at 1:45. The duo worked in neutral through the 1:00 mark, Davis took a double at :50 that Kilkeary stepped back from and the clock moved through :40. Davis was called for stalling at :30, cutting his lead to 4-3. Kilkeary forced a scramble in the final seconds and Davis fought through the scramble to kill the clock, escaping with a 4-3 win.

133: Sophomore Aaron Nagao, ranked No. 5 at 133, met No. 12 Nic Bouzakis. Bouzakis gained control of Nagao’s shoulders early but the Nittany Lion battled out of the hold in the opening seconds to keep action in neutral. Bouzakis continued to press, rolling through a takedown to lead 3-0 at 2:15. Nagao worked his way to an escape and a 3-1 score at 2:00. Bouzakis turned a low double into another takedown and a 6-2 lead after a quick Nagao escape at 1:25. Nagao moved in on a high single and Bouzakis countered for a takedown of his own to lead 9-2 after one. Kilkeary chose neutral to start the second period and Nago quickly took him down to cut the lead to 9-5. Bouzakis reversed the Lion to lead 11-5 at 1:20. Nagao escaped to an 11-6 score at :55. Nagao countered a late Buckeye shot but time ran out in the period and the Lion trailed 11-6 after two. Nagao chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to an 11-7 score. Nagao forced a scramble at the 1:30 mark but the Bouzakis forced a stalemate at :45. The clock moved past :30 with Bouzakis backing away from Nagao and, with a penalty point and riding time, posted the 13-7 win.

141: Senior Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 2 at 141, battled No. 3 Jesse Mendez. The duo worked the center of the mat for the opening minute, battling on their feet on the Lion logo. The clock hit 1:00 with action settled in the center of the mat. Bartlett took a fast high single but Mendez was able to step back from the move to keep things scoreless. Tied 0-0 after one, Mendez chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Bartlett kept his position in the center of the mat as the clock hit 1:00. Mendez took a high shot and Bartlett worked to counter the move at :30. The Nittany Lion fought off the effort as the period ended and trailed 1-0 after two. Bartlett chose down to start the third period and worked his way to an escape and a 1-1 tie at 1:30. Bartlett continued to shoot through the 1:00 mark but Mendez was able to step back from the efforts. The bout moved to sudden victory tied 1-1. Mendez took a low single and Bartlett countered, scrambled into control, and won the bout with a takedown at the 1:27 mark in sudden victory.

149: True freshman Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 12 at 149, battled No. 9 Dylan D’Emilio. Kasak nearly connected on an early shot, but the Buckeye was able to fight off the effort and keep the bout scoreless early. The duo then battled in neutral through the 1:30 mark. Kasak worked the center of the mat, looking for an opening but D’Emilio’s defense sent the match into the second period tied 0-0. D’Emilio chose down to start the second period and Kasak quickly took advantage of the decision. Kasak turned D’Emilio to his back for two near fall points to open up a 2-0 lead. Kasak maintained control through the 1:00 mark, building up over 1:00 of time but giving up one stall warning in the process. D’Emilio escaped to a 2-1 score after a reset with :30 on the clock and Kasak lead by one after two. Kasak chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead, holding 1:25 in riding time. D’Emilio worked his way in on a high single and Kasak scrambled his way through the effort, countering for a takedown of his own and a 6-1 lead at :50. Kasak clinched riding time at :45 and kept the Buckeye on the mat. Kasak cut D’Emilio loose at :12, hoping for bonus. D’Emilio fought off his final shots but Kasak, with 2:07 riding time, rolled to the 7-2 win.

157: Sophomore Levi Haines, ranked No. 1 at 157, met No. 29 Isaac Wilcox. Haines and Wilcox worked the middle of the mat through the opening minute-plus. Haines worked his way in on a high single at the :45 mark and finished off the takedown to open up a 3-0 lead at :25. Wilcox was able to scramble to a late escape sending the bout to the second period with Haines up 3-1. Wilcox chose down to start the second period and Haines controlled action on top. Haines’ riding time moved up over 1:00 as the Lion worked tur turn Wilcox. Wilcox was able to escape to a 3-2 score after a reset but Haines at 1:40 in time. Leading 3-2, Haines chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 4-2 lead. Haines connected on a fast low shot and turned the effort into a takedown and a 7-2 lead with 1:10 left in the bout. Haines cut Wilcox loose to a 7-3 score, looking for bonus. With riding time clinched, Haines countered a slight Wilcox shot, scrambled his way under and through the Buckeye for a takedown and a 10-3 lead at :15. He finished the period on top and with 2:06 in time, posted the 11-3 major decision.

165: Redshirt freshman Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 7 at 165, met No. 20 Bryce Hepner. Mesenbrink wasted no time working his way in on a shot. The Lion freshman shot off the opening whistle and forced a scramble on the Lion logo. Hepner was able to force a reset at 2:20 and Mesenbrink continued to shoot. He turned a fast low double into another takedown to open up a 3-0 lead and nearly turned him for back points. Mesenbrink gave up a locked hands point and an escaped, then roared through a second takedown to lead 6-2 at 1:15. Mesenbrink controlled action on top, working up over 1:45 in riding time with a rideout. Leading 6-2, Mesenbrink chose down to start the second stanza. The Lion freshman worked hard for an escape but the Buckeye was able to maintain control through the 1:00 mark. Mesenbrink eventually worked through a reversal and took an 8-2 lead with :40 left in the period. He then finished the period on top to lead 8-2 with :59 in time after two. Trailing by six, Hepner chose top to start the third period. Mesenbrink was steady on bottom, however, working his way into control once more, reversing the Buckey to open u pa 10-2 lead. Hepner managed a reversal of his own, cutting the lead to 10-4 at :40. The bout ended in a scramble and Mesenbrink posted the 10-4 win.

174: Senior Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, took on No. 11 Rocco Welsh. Starocci controlled the action early, setting a fast tempo on offense and turning a shot on the edge of the mat into a takedown and a 3-0 lead at 2:00. Welsh escaped to a 3-1 score and Starocci continued to work on offense, forcing a first stall on Welsh as the period ended. Welsh chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 3-2 score at 1:35. Starocci continued to shoot and Welsh continued to back away as the clock hit :45. Starocci moved back to the middle of the mat, forcing Welsh and the action to follow in the final seconds but Welsh was able to work the clock to 0:00. Leading 3-2, Starocci chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 4-2 lead. Starocci maintained his position through the 1:00 mark and stepped away from two Welsch shots in the final :30. Starocci countered with a shot at :25 but Welsch was able to back way. Starocci settled for the 4-2 win.

184: Graduate Bernie Truax, ranked No. 5 at 184, met Ryder Rogotzke. Truax came out shooting on offense, nearly connecting on a quick shot in the opening seconds and connecting on his second. Truax used a low single to open up a 3-1 lead after a quick Rogotzke escape in the opening minute. Truax continued to shoot on offense and notched a second takedown up his lead to 6-1 at 1:15. Rogotzke escaped as the clock moved below 1:00 and Truax lead 6-2. Truax carried that lead into the second period. Rogotzke chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 6-3 score. Truax picked up a third takedown quickly after wards to lead 9-3. Rogotzke escaped and turned a scramble into control of Truax’s arm. He forced the Lion’s back to the mat and picked up the pin at 3:59.

197: Senior+ Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 197, faced No. 22 Luke Geog. Brooks controlled the action in neutral in the first minute and his offensive pressure paid off with a takedown as the clock moved below 2:00, opening up a 3-1 lead. Brooks added a second takedown at :45, then finished the period on top to lead 6-1 after one. Geog chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 6-2 score. Brooks countered a slight Geog shot for a third takedown and cut him loose to a 9-3 lead. Brooks turned another Geog shot into a fourth takedown and led 12-4 after another cut. The Nittany Lion carried that lead into the third period. Brooks chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 13-4 lead. He added another takedown at 1:30, cut Geog loose and lead 16-5 with clinched time. Brooks added another takedown and cut, then ended the bout with a final takedown at :40. Brooks posted the 22-6 technical fall at 6:21.

285: Senior Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 1 at 285, battled No. 12 Nick Feldman. Kerkvliet and Feldman worked the middle of the mat for the first minute, with neither wrestler scoring. But Kerkvliet held position and hit a fast low shot at the 1:50 mark to take Feldman down for a 3-0 lead. Kerkvliet controlled the action on top, forcing a stall warning on Feldman as his riding time moved up over 1:00. Kerkvliet was hit for stalling at :25 but the Nittany Lion finished the period on top to lead 3-0 after one. Kerkvliet chose down to start the second period and rolled to a fast escape and a 4-0 lead in just seconds. Kerkvliet muscled his way through a high double at :50, taking a 7-0 lead. Kerkvliet controlled the action on top again and finished on top to lead 7-0 with 2:30 in riding time after two. Feldman chose neutral to start the third period. Kerkvliet scored again. The Lion senior used a fast high single to lift Feldman off the mat, then picked up a stall point at 1:00 and led 11-0 with clinched riding time. Kerkvliet once again finished the period in the top position and, with 3:46 in time, rolled to the 12-0 major.