By: Pat Donghia

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (9-0, 6-0 B1G) handled Iowa (10-2, 5-2 B1G) 29-6 in a Big Ten wrestling dual in Iowa City. Penn State carried the day with eight wins, including five majors, to post the conference road victory.

Action began at 125. Penn State true freshman Braeden Davis, ranked No. 2 at 125, dropped a close 4-2 decision to No. 7 Drake Ayala of Iowa. The Hawkeye used a quick takedown in the first period to escape with the win. Nittany Lion sophomore Aaron Nagao, ranked No. 6 at 133, dominated No. 20 Cullan Schreiver in the next bout, using two takedowns and a three-point turn in the third period to roll to a 12-0 major decision with 3:27 in riding time. His major put Penn State on top 4-3.

Senior Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 1 at 141, posted a strong 7-2 win over No. 2 Real Woods. He used a first period takedown and a late takedown in the third period for the win, giving the Nittany Lions a 7-3 lead. True freshman Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 10 at 149, used two third period takedowns to close the game against No. 12 Caleb Rathjen and send the bout to sudden victory. Rathjen, however, scored midway through extra time to post the 11-8 (sv) win. Sophomore Levi Haines, ranked No. 1 at 157, dominated No. 5 Jared Franek to send Penn State into halftime with an 11-7 lead. Haines used takedowns in each period, a stall point, an escaped and 3:32 in riding time to roll to a 12-0 major decision.

Penn State used the momentum of Haines’ win to blank Iowa in the second half. Redshirt freshman Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 7 at 165, notched three takedowns and riding time to roll to a dominant 12-6 win over No. 6 Michael Caliendo to put Penn State up 14-6. Senior Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, downed No. 7 Patrick Kennedy in the next match. Starocci tallied four takedowns in the first two periods to roll to the 13-5 major decision, giving the Nittany Lions an 18-6 lead.

Graduate Bernie Truax, ranked No. 6 at 184, used two takedowns and over 3:00 in riding time to roll to n 8-0 major decision over Aidan Riggins. Senior+ Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 197, picked up four second period points and riding time to post a 5-1 win over No. 11 Zach Glazier and the Nittany Lions led 25-6 with one bout left. Senior Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 1 at 285, capped off the resounding win with a strong 9-1 major decision over Ben Keuter. Kerkvliet picked up two takedowns and nearly 4:00 in riding time in the win. Penn State rolled to a convincing 29-6 victory.

Penn State compiled a lopsided 21-5 edge in takedowns, winning all but two matches. The Nittany Lions picked up five bonus points off five majors (Nagao, Haines, Starocci, Truax, Kerkvliet).

Penn State is now 9-0, 6-0 B1G. Iowa falls to 10-2, 5-2 B1G. Penn State 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 29, #6 Iowa 6

February 9, 2024 – Iowa City, Iowa

125: #7 Drake Ayala IA dec. #2 Braeden Davis PSU, 4-2 0-3
133: #6 Aaron Nagao PSU maj. dec. #20 Cullan Schreiver IA, 12-0 4-3
141: #1 Beau Bartlett PSU dec. No. 2 Real Woods IA, 7-2 7-3
149: #12 Caleb Rathjen IA dec. #10 Tyler Kasak PSU, 11-8 (sv) 7-6
157: #1 Levi Haines PSU maj. dec. #5 Jared Franek IA, 12-0 11-6
165: #7 Mitchell Mesenbrink PSU dec. #6 Michael Caliendo IA, 12-6 14-6
174: #1 Carter Starocci PSU maj. dec. #7 Patrick Kennedy IA, 13-5 18-6
184: #6 Bernie Truax PSU maj. dec. Aidan Riggins IA, 8-0 22-6
197: #1 Aaron Brooks PSU dec. #11 Zach Glazier IA, 5-1 25-6
285: #1 Greg Kerkvliet PSU maj. dec. Ben Keuter IA, 9-1 29-6
Attendance: 14,847
Records: Penn State (9-0, 6-0 B1G); Iowa (10-2, 5-2 B1G)
Up Next for Penn State: 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. 2 at 125, took on No. 7 Drake Ayala. Davis worked the center of the mat in neutral, but Ayala used a quick shoulder throw for a takedown and a 3-1 lead after a quick Davis escape. Davis shot left and Ayala defended the effort as the clock hit 1:20. The duo worked in neutral through the 1:00 mark. After a reset at :45, Davis defended a quick Ayala burst and the match moved to the second period with Davis trailing 3-1. Ayala chose down to start the second period and worked his way to an escape and a 4-1 lead. Davis stepped back from a slight Ayala shot at the 1:00 mark and took a high double that Ayala defended. The duo finished the period in neutral and Davis trailed 4-1 after two. Davis worked his way loose to an escaped and a 4-2 score with 1:35 left in the bout. The clock moved through the 1:00 mark with Davis looking for offense. The Lion snapped a high single that Ayala defended with :45 on the clock. Ayala was hit with stalling at :30, Davis shot at :20 and the Hawkeye backed away from the effort, escaping with a 4-2 win.

133: Sophomore Aaron Nagao, ranked No. 6 at 133, met No. 20 Cullan Schriever. Nagao scored early in the opening period, using a low shot to take a 3-0 lead at the 2:00 mark. Nagao dominated action on top, building up over 1:00 as he looked for a turn. After a stalemate at :34 forced a reset, with Nagao still on top, the Nittany Lion reset himself in position and finished the rideout to lead 3-0 with 2:00 in riding time. Nagao chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-0 lead. The Nittany Lion sophomore worked the center of the mat, controlling the pace. Nagao continued to take short shots and Schreiver stepped away each time as the clock hit :50. Nagao took a high shot that Schreiver turned into a stalemate and a reset at :30 and Nagao led 4-0 with 1:51 in riding time after two. Schreiver chose neutral to start the third period and Nagao quickly worked his way in on a low shot. He scrambled through for a takedown to lead 7-0 and clinched his riding time point. Nagao maintained top control through 1:00, working to turn Schreiver. The Hawkeye was able to fight off Nagao’s efforts for a bit, but Nagao worked him over for a three count. He finished on top and, with 3:27 in riding time, rolled to the 12-0 major decision.

141: Senior Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 1 at 141, battled No. 2 Real Woods. Bartlett set a fast pace to start the match, pacing around the center circle as he looked for an opening. He rolled through a low shot and bulled his way to a takedown to lead 3-0 at the 2:00 mark. Bartlett maintained top control for :40 before Woods escaped to a 3-1 score. Bartlett reset in the center of the mat on offense. Woods took a slight shot and Bartlett blocked it at :20 to carry his 3-1 lead into the second period. Woods chose bottom to start the second period and escaped to a 3-2 score at 1:45. Bartlett had :57 in riding time. The duo worked in the middle of the mat through the 1:00 mark and the :30. Bartlett got called for stalling at :20 and led 3-2 after two. Bartlett chose down to start the third period. Woods maintained control until Bartlett escaped to a 4-2 lead at 1:18. Bartlett took a high shot that Woods was able to block at :45 and action continued in neutral. Bartlett connected on a lot single at :20 and finished off the takedown at :10 to post the strong 7-2 win.

149: True freshman Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 10 at 149, faced No. 12 Caleb Rathjen. The duo worked in neutral for the first minute-plus. Kasak took a high double and Rathjen stepped back to keep action in neutral with 1:05 left in the opening stanza. Kasak gave up a stall earning and then a late takedown to trail 3-0 after the first period. Kasak chose down to start the second period and worked his way to an escaped and a 3-1 score at 1:40. Kasak maintained position in the center circle but could not break through Rathjen’s defense as the clock hit 1:00. Rathjen countered another Kasak shot for a takedown and a 6-1 lead. Kasak escaped to a 6-2 score with :20 left in the period. Rathjen chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 7-2 score. Kasak scrambled his way to a takedown and then cut Rathjen loose to trail 8-5 at 1:00. Kasak forced a stall warning, then rolled through a high shot for a takedown to tie the bout at 8-8 with :30 on the clock. Kasak finished the period on top and sent the match to sudden victory. Kasak continued to shoot Rathjen backwards through the opening seconds of extra time. Rathjen then ducked under the Lion and finished off the match with at takedown for the 11-8 (sv) win.

157: Sophomore Levi Haines, ranked No. 1 at 157, faced No. 5 Jared Franek. The duo battled through an even minute before Haines turned a high single into a takedown and a 3-0 lead midway through the stanza. Haines worked on top for a turning combination but Franek was able stay flat through the :45 mark. Haines continued with a strong ride, forcing Franek into a stall warning and finishing the period on top to lead 3-0 with 1:39 in time after one. Haines chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-0 lead. Franek worked his way in on a low shot, but Haines deftly fought the shot off, maintained contact and turned a low scramble into a takedown and a 7-0 lead at 1:20. Haines dominated action on top, picking up a stall point in the process and led 8-0 with 2:53 after two. Franek chose neutral to start the third period and quickly worked his way in on a low single. Haines once again countered for a near takedown but potentially dangerous forced a reset. Haines added another takedown with :50 on the clock, clinched his riding time point, and finished the period on top once again. He added 3:32 in riding time and rolled to the convincing 12-0 major.

165: Redshirt freshman Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 7 at 165, battled No. 6 Michael Caliendo. Mesenbrink shot twice quickly in the opening seconds, forcing Caliendo into defense early. A third Mesenbrink shot nearly connected but the Hawkeye was once again able to defend the Lion’s efforts as the clock hit 2:15. Mesenbrink connected on a high single or a takedown at 1:45 and led 3-1 after a quick Iowa escape. Mesenbrink continued to shoot Caliendo backwards and snapped him to the mat for a second takedown at :55. The Lion freshman maintained control of Caliendo, forcing a first stall warning and riding him out to lead 6-1 with 1:09 in time after one. Caliendo chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 6-2 score. Mesenbrink shot low once again and the Hawkeye had to defend the effort through 1:30. The Penn State freshman’s pressure forced a stall warning once again and he led 7-2 at 1:10. Mesenbrink rolled through a low double for another takedown and led 10-2 with :38 on the clock. Caliendo was able to escape before the period ended but Mesenbrink carried a 10-3 lead with 1:48 in time into the third. Mesenbrink chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to an 11-3 lead. Mesenbrink defended a solid Iowa shot at 1:30then worked a low shot into a scramble at 1:20. Caliendo defended the effort into a stalemate. Mesenbrink fought off another Caliendo shot to force a stalemate with :30 left in the bout. Caliendo avoided the major with a late takedown, but Mesenbrink rolled to the convincing 12-6 win with 1:18 in riding time.

174: Senor Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, faced No. 7 Patrick Kennedy. Starocci worked an early shot into a scramble in the center of the mat. Kennedy fought the effort off for nearly :30 but Starocci finished off the takedown to lead 3-0 at 1:50. Kennedy worked his way to an escape at 1:10 and Starocci went back to work on offense. The duo battled evenly in neutral through :30. Starocci connected on a late low single and finished off the takedown at the buzzer to lead 6-1 after one. Starocci chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 7-1 lead. Kennedy took a slight shot and Starocci countered quickly, moving down to control the Hawkeye’s ankles for a third takedown and a 10-2 lead after a quick Kennedy escape. Kennedy gained control of Starocci’s leg, nearly taking the Lion down. But Starocci continued to battle, fought off the effort, and finished off a counter takedown at :02 to lead 13-2 after two. Kennedy chose down to start the third period and Starocci got called for locked hands quickly in the period, cutting his lead to 13-3. Kennedy escaped to a 13-4 score. Starocci battled on the edge of the mat, fighting off two Kennedy shots as the clock moved to 1:10. The Hawkeye shot low and Starocci forced a stalemate at 1:00. The Lion senior shot quickly on the reset, but Kennedy blocked it. Starocci fought off another Kennedy effort to a stalemate at :22. Starocci gave up a late stall point but rolled to a 13-5 major decision.

184: Graduate Bernie Truax, ranked No. 6 at 184, took on Aidan Riggins. Truax struck quickly, turning a fast low shot into a takedown and a 3-0 lead less than :30 into the match. Truax then went to work on top, trying to turn the Hawkeye for back points. Riggins was able to fight off Truax’s efforts, but Truax worked his riding time edge up well over 1:00. Truax worked his riding time up over 2:00 as he looked to turn Riggins. Truax gave up one stall warning but finished the period on top to lead 3-0 with 2:33 in riding time after one. Truax chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-0 lead. Riggins shot low on Truax with 1:20 on the clock but Truax forced a quick stalemate and action returned to neutral. Truax shot low and left with :25 on the clock but Riggins was able to step away from the effort and the Nittany Lion led 4-0 with 2:22 in time after two. Riggins chose neutral to start the third period. He took a high shot at 1:40 and forced a scramble. Truax fought off the move through the 1:00 mark, forcing a stalemate at :57. Truax bulled through a high double for a takedown with :40 left. With the riding time point clinched, Truax worked to turn Riggins again but settled for the rideout, 3:10 in time, and a dominant 8-0 major.

197: Senior+ Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 197, met No. 11 Zach Glazier. Brooks and Glazier battled evenly for the first minute-plus. The Nittany Lion senior battled the Hawkeye senior through the first three minutes with neither wrestler connecting on offense and the match moved to the second period tied 0-0. Brooks chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Glazier took a high single and Brooks muscled his way to a counter takedown to lead 4-0 at 1:25. Brooks controlled the action on top, working his riding time up over 1:00 as the clock moved through :30. He finished on top to lead 4-0 with 1:21 in time after two. Glazier chose down to start the third period and Brooks once again controlled the action. Glazier escaped to a 4-1 score at 1:10 but Brooks had his time point clinched. Brooks worked the center circle as the clock hit :30 and finished the bout in neutral. He added 2:02 in riding time for another point and posted the 5-1 win.

285: Senior Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 1 at 285, battled Ben Kueter. Kerkvliet took control early, turning a fast low shot into a takedown and an early 3-0 lead. Kerkvliet built up :44 in time before Keuter escaped to a 3-1 score. The duo worked the center circle through the 1:00 mark. Kerkvliet controlled position through the :30 mark and the bout moved to the second period with Kerkvliet leading 3-1. Keuter chose down to start the second period. Kerkvliet went to work on top, looking for back points. The Nittany Lion senior worked his riding time up over 1:30 with a strong ride, controlling the Hawkeye and forcing a stall warning with 1:20 on the clock. Kerkvliet lifted Keuter and returned to the center circle with :33 left, finished the period on top and led 3-1 with 2:44 in time after two. Kerkvliet chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 4-1 lead. With riding time clinched, Kerkvliet worked Keuter to the mat with a low single, finished off the takedown at 1:10, and led 7-1. Kerkvliet picked up a stall point and finished the period on top. His 3:49 in riding time gave him a final point and a 9-1 major decision.