By: Pat Donghia
ANN ARBOR, Mich.; March 5, 2023 – The Penn State Nittany Lions (16-0, 8-0 B1G) stormed the field to claim the 2023 Big Ten Championship, winning the school’s seventh conference title. Four Penn State wrestlers earned individual titles as well. Penn State won the team race with 147.0 points, ahead of second place Iowa’s 134.5. Penn State also qualified nine individuals for the 2023 NCAA Championships in two weeks. All individual rankings listed are InterMat (Feb. 21, 2023).
This is Penn State’s seventh conference championship, having also won in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2019. Penn State now has 59 Big Ten Champions, spread among 32 individuals. Penn State’s six finalists tied the school record for finalists in a season (2019). Cael Sanderson was named Big Ten Coach of the Year, earning the honor for the seventh time. Levi Haines was honored as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, becoming Penn State’s eighth honoree.
Roman Bravo-Young (133) and Aaron Brooks (184) both became three-time Big Ten Champions (Penn State’s 8th and 9th respectively). Carter Starocci (174) became a two-time Big Ten Champion and Levi Haines (157) become a true freshman Big Ten Champion.
Roman Bravo-Young, ranked No. 1 at 133, met No. 13 Aaron Nagao of Minnesota in Penn State’s first Big Ten final bout. Bravo-Young battled through an even first minute plus, setting a high tempo and chasing Nagao around the middle of the mat. Bravo-Young continued to connect on singles and forced a stall warning at :15. He then completed a low double as time expired to lead 2-0 after one. After a neutral start in the second, Bravo-Young continued to hold position in the center of the mat as Nagao worked towards the outside circle. Bravo-Young picked up a another takedown at :45. Bravo-Young gave up a locked hands point at :05 and finished the period no top to lead 4-1 with :54 riding time after two. Bravo-Young chose down to start the third period. Nagao controlled the action for over a minute before Bravo-Young picked up a stall point and rolled to the 5-2 win. Bravo-Young became Penn State’s eight three-time Big Ten Champion. The victory capped off a 3-0 run at Big Tens for Bravo-Young and sends him to the NCAA Championship in two weeks with a 16-0 record.
True freshman Levi Haines, ranked No. 7 at 157, met No. 1 Peyton Robb of Nebraska in the finals. Haines and Robb battled in the middle of the mat before Haines worked his way in on a high single. Robb was able to defend the shot to a reset with 1:44 on the clock. Haines continued to shoot, forcing Robb to step back as the clock hit 1:10. Haines fought off a late Robb shot, with action moving out of bounds with :01 on the clock. Robb escaped to a 1-0 lead to start the second period. The duo worked in neutral as the clock moved below 1:00. Haines trailed by one to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie at 1:38. Haines worked the center of the mat as the clock moved through the 1:00 mark. He nearly countered a Robb shot at :40 but the Husker stepped out of trouble and the clock moved to :30. The bout moved to sudden victory tied 1-1. Haines ended it quickly. He moved in on a high single, readjusted after a brief Robb counter, lifted the Husker off the mat and took him back down for two points and a 3-1 (sv) win. Haines earned his first Big Ten title in his first trip, going 3-0. He will head to his first NCAA tournament with a 22-1 record.
Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, took on No. 2 Mike Labriola of Nebraska in the finals. Starocci came out with a fast pace early, working in the center of the mat against the second-ranked Husker. Starocci gained control of Labriola’s left leg and nearly notched a takedown before Labriola fled out of bounds, picking up a stall warning. Starocci took a handful of shots and nearly took Labriola down at the buzzer but the match moved to the second tied 0-0. Labriola chose down to start the second period and Starocci maintained control of the Husker until Labriola escaped to a 1-0 lead at :56. Starocci blew through a strong double leg for a takedown and a 2-1 lead with just :15 left in the period. Starocci chose down to start the final stanza and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead. Starocci continued to shoot Labriola out of bounds with a high pace and worked the clock down below :50. Starocci turned a low single into a scramble at :40 and finished off another takedown with seconds left. Add the riding time point and Starocci rolled to the 6-1 win. Starocci’s 3-0 run in Ann Arbor made him a two-time Big Ten Champion and sends him to NCAAs with a 19-0 record.
Aaron Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 184, met No. 5 Kaleb Romero of Ohio State. Brooks chased Romero around the edge of the mat for the first minute, looking for a takedown or at least a stall warning. Brooks continued to shot Romero backwards, picked up a stall warning and finished off a low shot for a 2-0 lead at 1:36. After a Romero escape, Brooks continued to force Romero to the outside circle as the Buckeye struggled with his high pace. Brooks worked the clock down to 0:00 with more pressure and led 2-1 after one. Brooks chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead. Brooks offense was relentless as he worked his way around Romero for a second takedown and a 5-1 lead with 1:05 on the clock. Brooks finished the period on top and led 5-1 with 1:33 in time after two. Romero chose down to start the period. Brooks picked up a stall point at 1:22 and cut Romero loose. With riding time clinched, Brooks picked up another stall point and then quickly took Romero down again to open up a 9-2 lead at :45. He added two more points on another stall to lead 11-2 He finished the period on top and, with the riding time point, rolled to the 12-2 major decision. Brooks win gave him his third Big Ten title, making him Penn State’s ninth three-timer (and joining current teammate Bravo-Young on that list). Brooks went 3-0 with two majors and a tech fall in Ann Arbor and heads to Tulsa with a 12-1 record.
Max Dean, ranked No. 3 at 197, faced No. 10 Silas Allred of Nebraska. Dean worked the middle of the mat for the opening minute-plus until Allred took a low shot that led to a scramble at 1:30. Dean worked through the move and action was stopped at :54. Allred turned a low shot into a late takedown and Dean trailed 2-1 after one. Dean chose down to start the second period and steadily worked his way to an escape and a 2-2 tie. Dean took a slight shot that Allred countered for another takedown and a 4-3 lead with :40 on the clock. Dean trailed 4-3 after the second period. Allred chose neutral to start the third period. Dean looked for a go-ahead takedown as the clock hit 1:20 but Allred’s defense kept him at bay. Dean continued to shoot as the clock wound down and Allred countered a late effort for a 6-3 win. Dean went 2-1 in Ann Arbor and heads to Tulsa with a 20-3 record.
Greg Kerkvliet, ranked No. 2 at 285, met No. 1 Mason Parris of Michigan in the tournament’s final title bout. Parris took an early 2-0 lead with a takedown in the first minute and Kerkvliet escaped to a 2-1 score :48 seconds later. Kerkvliet worked in the center of the mat looking for an opening but the clock moved to 0:00, sending the bout to the second period with Parris up by one. Kerkvliet chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 2-2 tie. He then worked in neutral as the clock hit 1:00, looking for an opening. Parris backed away from every shot the Lion big man took as Kerkvliet continued to prowl on the Michigan logo. Time moved below the :30 mark with both men on their feet and the bout moved into the third period tied 2-2. Parris chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 3-2 lead at the 1:50 mark. Kerkvliet continued to shoot and Parris continued to block as the clock hit 1:00. Kerkvliet took a single at the :45 mark but Parris was able to fight off the move and Kerkvliet finally picked up the stall point with :20 left, tying the bout at 3-3. The match moved into sudden victory. Kerkvliet took a low shot that Parris was able to turn into a scramble, finishing off the takedown. Kerkvliet dropped a tough 5-3 (sv) decision. Kerkvliet went 2-1 at Big Tens and took second. He will head to Tulsa with a 15-2 record.
Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 4 at 141, faced No. 13 Parker Filius of Purdue the consolation semifinals. The duo battled through a scoreless first period. Filius chose down to start the second period and Bartlett controlled action on top for over a minute before Filius escaped for a point. Bartlett quickly scrambled his way to a takedown and rode Filius out to carry that lead into the third period. He escaped to start the third, maintaining over 1:00 in riding time, and lead 3-1. Filius managed a late escape and cut Bartlett loose to a 4-3 score. Bartlett picked up the riding time point and moved into the third place bout with a 5-3 win. He took on No. 19 Dylan D’Emilio of Ohio State for third place. Bartlett set a fast tempo early in the match, taking a series of shots that forced his Buckeye opponent into defense. The duo finished the first period knotted in a 0-0 tie. D’Emilio chose down to start the second period. Bartlett was able to control action on top for a bit before the Buckeye escaped to a 1-0 lead. Bartlett returned the favor with an escape to start the third and action resumed in neutral, tied 1-1. Bartlett continued to pressure D’Emilio and connected on a low shot for a takedown and a 3-1 lead with 1:15 left in the bout. D’Emilio escaped to a 3-2 score but Bartlett continued to score, finishing off the bout with a final takedown to post the 5-2 win. Bartlett’s victory clinched the third-place spot for the Nittany Lion junior. He closes out his Big Ten run with a 3-1 mark and heads to Tulsa for NCAA’s with a 22-2 record.
Shayne Van Ness, ranked No. 13 at 149, took on No. 28 Graham Rooks of Indiana in the consolation semifinals. Van Ness battled Rooks evenly for the first couple minutes before working his way through a single leg for a takedown at the :47 mark to open up a 2-0 lead. Rooks escaped to cut the score to 2-1 after the opening period. Van Ness notched an escape to start the second period and quickly moved in for a takedown to open up a 5-1 lead. He added a third takedown as the second period wound down to lead 7-2 with over 1:00 in riding time after two. Rooks cut the lead to 7-3 win an early escape to start the third period but Van Ness dominated on offense. The Nittany Lion picked up two more takedowns and riding time to roll into the third-place bout with a 12-4 major decision. He faced No. 6 Max Murin of Iowa for third place. Van Ness worked the center of the mat for the first minute, trying to break through Murin’s defense from the opening whistle. Murin took a shot at 1:30 and connected on a takedown to open up a 2-1 lead after a quick Van Ness escape. Van Ness continued to scramble for openings, keeping Murin backing away as the clock moved below :30. Trailing 2-1 after one, Van Ness rolled to a quick escape to tie the bout at 2-2 to start the second period. Van Ness worked for points but Murin defended his way to a 2-2 tie after two. Murin escaped to a 3-2 lead to start the third period. Van Ness chased Murin for the remainder of the period, forcing one stall warning, but in the end dropped the hard-fought 3-2 decision. Van Ness went 4-2 at his first Big Ten tournament and heads to nationals with a 19-6 record.
Alex Facundo, ranked No. 9 at 165, faced No. 25 Dan Braunagel of Illinois in the 7th-place match. After battling through a scoreless first period, Facundo escaped to a 1-0 lead early in the second period. The duo worked in neutral as the clock moved below :30. Facundo continued to move in on offense and notched a key late takedown to lead 3-0 after two. Braunagel escaped to a 3-1 score to start the third. Facundo instigated a late scramble but a stalemate stopped the action. He fought off a late Braunagel flurry and took seventh place with the 3-1 win. Facundo went 3-2 at his first Big Ten tournament, placing seventh. He heads to NCAAs in two weeks with a 19-4 record.
Gary Steen, competing in placer bouts at 125 (that do not count towards team score), faced Michigan State’s Tristan Lujan to start the day for the Nittany Lions. The Nittany Lion freshman fell behind 2-0 early in the first but escaped quickly to a 2-1 score. He escaped to a 2-2 tie early in the second period but fell behind 4-2 on a subsequent Lujan takedown. Trailing 5-3 early in the third, Steen worked his way to a takedown to tie the bout 5-5 at the 1:10 mark. He cut Lujan loose to a 6-5 deficit and went to work for a go-ahead takedown. But Lujan defended his lead through a late scramble and Steen’s tournament ended with the close 6-5 loss.
Penn State has nine automatic qualifiers for the NCAA Championships: Bravo-Young (133), Bartlett (141), Van Ness (149), Haines (157), Facundo (165), Starocci (174), Brooks (184), Dean (197), Kerkvliet (285).
The 2023 NCAA Championships is set for March 16-18, 2023, in Tulsa’s BOK Center. The six-session title tournament features sessions at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 16; 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Friday March 17; and 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 (all times Eastern). The NCAA tournament will be broadcast national on the ESPN family of networks. The tournament seeds and full bracket will be revealed on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. on NCAA.com (at-large selections for each weight will be rolled out a day prior on Tuesday).
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.
Penn State at 2023 Big Ten Championship – Session 3/4
March 5, 2023 – Ann Arbor, Mich. – University of Michigan, Host
Team Standings (TOP THREE FINAL)
1: PENN STATE – 147.0
2: Iowa – 134.5
3: Nebraska – 104.5
Weight-by-weight agate (RANKINGS LISTED ARE INTERMAT as of 2/21/23):
125: Gary Steen, Fr., Hermitage, Pa./Reynolds
Rd. 1: #15 Braxton Brown, Maryland – L, 0-14 maj. dec.
Cn. 1: bye
Cn. 2: #17 Jack Medley, Michigan – L, 2-7 dec.
Pl. 2: Tristan Lujan, Michigan State – L, 5-6 dec.
Steen, the 10th-seed at 125, met No. 15 Braxton Brown of Maryland in the opening round (the 7th-seed). Steen fell behind early to the ranked Terrapin, trailing 6-0 after the opening period and dropped a tough 14-0 major decision. He received a bye in the first round of consolation action to stay alive into session two.
Gary Steen took on No. 17 Jack Medley of Michigan in his first conso bout at 125. Medley took Steen down early for a 2-1 lead after a quick Steen escape. Steen fought off two more Medley efforts before Medley connected for a takedown and a 4-1 lead after the first period. Medley added an escape to lead 5-1 after two. Steen escaped to a 5-2 score to start the third period but Medley finished off a 7-2 win with a final takedown. Steen’s loss ended his shots at an automatic slot at NCAAs but he moved in to the 9/10 placer bracket starting in session three.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
133: #1 Roman Bravo-Young, Sr., Tucson, Ariz./Sunnyside – CHAMPION
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #18 Brody Teske, Iowa – W, 13-2 maj. dec.
Semi: #11 Dylan Ragusin, Michigan – W, 8-2 dec.
Finals: #13 Aaron Nagao, Minnesota – W, 5-2 dec.
Bravo-Young, ranked No. 1 at 133 and the top-seed, had an opening round by and met No. 18 Brody Teske in the quarterfinals. Bravo-Young took Teske down quickly and built up over 1:00 in riding time with a strong ride. He finished the period on top to lead 2-0 after one. He upped his lead to 4-1 early in the second stanza, added two back points to lead 6-1, then another two-point turn to lead 8-1 after two periods. Bravo-Young added two more takedowns quickly in the third period and rolled to a 13-2 major decision with over 5:00 in riding time. The win moved him into the semifinals as he became Penn State’s first automatic qualifier for the NCAA Championships in Tulsa.
Roman met No. 11 Dylan Ragusin of Michigan in the first of Penn State’s seven semifinal bouts. Bravo-Young scored quickly, taking Ragusin down for two points and an early 2-1 lead. The Nittany Lion bulled through a second takedown at the :45 mark to open up a 4-1 lead and then finished the period on top to carry that lead, with 1:00 in riding time, into the second stanza. Bravo-Young worked his way to an escape and a 5-1 lead to open up the second stanza. After having a takedown reversed on review, Bravo-Young fought off a late Ragusin shot and led 5-1 after two. Bravo-Young built his riding time up over 1:00 before Ragusin escaped to a 5-2 score. Bravo-Young finished the bout with a takedown and a riding time point to post the 8-2 win and move into the Big Ten finals on Sunday.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
141: #4 Beau Bartlett, Jr., Tempe, Ariz./Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) – 3rd place
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #28 Cole Mattin, Michigan – W, 4-2 dec.
Semi: #6 Brock Hardy, Nebraska – L, 3-7 dec.
Cn. Semi: #13 Parker Filius, Purdue – W, 5-3 dec.
3rd Place: #18 Dylan D’Emilio, Ohio State – W, 5-2 dec.
Bartlett, ranked No. 4 at 141 and the second seed, had a first round bye and took on No. 28 Cole Mattin of Michigan in the quarterfinals. After a scoreless first period, Bartlett escaped to a 1-0 lead to start the second stanza. Bartlett took a 2-0 lead into the third period after picking up a stall point late in the second stanza. Bartlett used a takedown in the third period to ice the bout and posted a strong 4-2 victory to move into the semifinals. The win also clinched his spot at the NCAA Championships.
Beau took on No. 6 Brock Hardy of Nebraska in the semis. The duo scrambled through a couple early shots before Bartlett rolled through a Hardy shot for a takedown and a 2-1 lead at the 1:15 mark. The Nittany Lion junior carried that lead into the second where Hardy escaped to a 2-2 tie to begin the period. Hardy worked through for a takedown and a 4-2 lead midway through the period and finished on top. Bartlett chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 4-3 score but Hardy quickly took him down again and posted the 7-3 win. Bartlett’s loss sent him into the conso semifinals in session three.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
149: #13 Shayne Van Ness, Fr., Somerville, N.J./Blair Academy – 4th place
Rd. 1: Jake Harrier, Illinois – W, 16-4 maj. dec.
Qtr: #6 Max Murin, Iowa – L, 2-4 dec.
Cn. 2: Jaden Reynolds, Purdue – W, 19-7 maj. dec.
Cn. 3: #30 Chance Lamer, Michigan – W, inj. def.
Cn. Semi: #28 Graham Rooks, Indiana – W, 12-4 maj. dec.
3rd Place: #6 Max Murin, Iowa – L, 2-3 dec.
Van Ness, ranked No. 13 at 149 and the fifth seed, took on Jake Harrier of Illinois in the opening round. He picked up a takedown midway through the opening period and added a late one to lead 5-2 after one. Van Ness increased his lead to 7-3 midway through the second, finished on top and led 7-3 with 2:25 in riding time after two. He added a quick scores in the third to up his lead to 12-3 early in the third and rolled to a 16-4 major decision with nearly 4:00 in riding time. Van Ness’ win moved him into the quarterfinals where he met No. 6 Max Murin of Iowa. Bartlett trailed 2-1 after the first period and tied it up with a takedown in the second. Murin upped retook a 3-2 lead with an escape early in the third and had riding time. Van Ness was unable to break through Murin’s third period defense and dropped into consolation action with a 4-2 decision.
Shane met Purdue’s Jaden Reynolds in his first conso bout. Van Ness scored quickly, taking Reynolds down in the opening seconds to take 2-0 lead. He then worked a strong ride into a stall point to lead 3-0 at :35 and carried that lead into the second period. Van Ness added an escape and a quick takedown to open up a 6-0 lead then tacked on two quick takedowns to lead 10-3 after two periods. He tacked on four more takedowns and over 3:00 of riding time to roll to the 19-7 major decision. Van Ness battled No. 30 Chance Lamer of Michigan in his next conso bout. Midway through the opening period, Van Ness took Lamer down and to his back for a six-point move, opening up a 6-0 lead. Van Ness led 6-1 after the opening period and built his riding time to nearly 2:00 before Lamer escaped to a 6-2 score. Van Ness added two more quick takedowns to lead 10-3 with 2:49 riding time after two. Van Ness tacked on one more takedown to lead 13-4 before Lamar took an injury default after a stoppage early in the third period. Van Ness got the injury default victory to continue his quest for third place starting in session three.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
157: #7 Levi Haines, Fr., Arendtsville, Pa./Biglerville – CHAMPION
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #24 Derek Gilcher, Indiana – W, 6-0 dec.
Semi: #6 Kendall Coleman, Purdue – W, 3-2 dec.
Finals: #1 Peyton Robb, Nebraska – W, 3-1 (sv)
Haines, ranked No. 7 at 157 and the second seed, had a first round by and met No. 24 Derek Gilcher of Indiana in the quarters. Haines took a 2-0 lead at the 1:10 mark and rode Gilcher out to lead 2-0 with over a minute in riding time after the opening period. He quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead to start the second and carried that lead into the third. Haines added a two-point turn and riding time to roll to a 6-0 win and advance to the semifinals. He also earned a spot at the NCAA tournament in Tulsa as a true freshman.
Levi took on No. 6 Kendall Coleman of Purdue in his semifinal match-up. Haines and Coleman battled evenly for opening period, sending the bout to the second tied 0-0. Haines chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Haines worked his way in on a low single and forced a scramble that lead to two points open up a 3-0 lead at 1:24. Coleman rolled to an escape on a reset to cut Haines’ lead to 3-1 midway through the period. Haines carried that lead into the third where Coleman escaped to a 3-2 lead to start the last stanza. Haines controlled the action in neutral for the rest of the period and posted the 4-3 victory to move into Sunday’s Big Ten title bout.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
165: #9 Alex Facundo, Fr., Essexville, Mich./Davison – 7th place
Rd. 1: Stony Bell, Purdue – W, 7-2 dec.
Qtr: #12 Carson Kharchla, Ohio State – L, 1-3 dec.
Cn. 2: Nick South, Indiana – W, 3-1 dec.
Cn. 3: #33 Bubba Wilson, Nebraska – L, 2-3 dec.
7th Place: #25 Dan Braunagel, Illinois – W, 3-1 dec.
Facundo, ranked No. 9 at 165 and the fourth seed, faced Purdue’s Stony Buell. Facundo battled Buell through the first period and led 2-0 thanks to a late takedown in the opening stanza. He escaped to start the second and quickly took Buell down to open up a 5-0 lead and led 5-1 after two. Facundo added a third takedown in the final period and posted the 7-2 win to move into the quarterfinals. He took on No. 12 Carson Kharchla of Ohio State in the quarters. Facundo trailed 2-0 after a late Kharchla takedown in the first and then 3-0 after the Buckeye escaped to start the second. The Penn State freshman escaped quickly to start the third period, cutting the lead to 3-1. He chased Kharchla for the rest of the bout but the Buckeye defended his way to a 3-1 win, sending Facundo into consolation action.
Alex faced Nick South of Indiana in his first conso bout. Facundo battled South through nearly three minutes of even wrestling before coming out on top of a scramble for a 2-0 lead at the end of the opening period. He escaped for another point to start the second period and led 3-0 heading to the third stanza. South escaped to a 3-1 score to start the third period but Facundo held firm on defense for the rest of the match and posted the 3-1 victory to advance in consolation action. He took on No. 33 Bubba Wilson of Nebraska in his next bout. Facundo and Wilson battled through a scoreless first period. The Nittany Lion freshman quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead to start the second stanza. Facundo forced a scramble midway through the second but Wilson was able stalemate the action to a reset. Wilson escaped to a 1-1 tie to start the third period and then quickly took Facundo down to lead 3-2 after a quick Facundo escape. Facundo worked for a final takedown but Wilson fought off the effort to hold on for the 3-2 win. Facundo’s loss dropped him into the seventh-place bout in session three.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
174: #1 Carter Starocci, Jr., Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep — CHAMPION
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #15 Troy Fisher, Northwestern – W, 10-2 maj. dec.
Semi: #8 Bailee O’Reilly, Minnesota – W, 8-2 dec.
Final: #2 Mikey Labriola, Nebraska – W, 6-1 dec.
Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174 and the top seed, had a first round bye and took on No. 15 Troy Fisher of Northwestern in the quarterfinals. Starocci scored quickly, taking Fisher down to lead 2-1. He quickly added a second takedown to up his lead to 4-1 and carried that lead into the second stanza. Starocci escaped to a 5-1 lead in the second and added another takedown to lead 7-1 after two periods. The Nittany Lion junior added a fourth takedown and 2:04 in riding time to roll into the semifinals with 10-2 major decision. He also grabbed a spot at nationals with the win.
Carter battled No. 8 Bailee O’Reilly of Minnesota in the semis. Starocci worked shoulder control into a low shot and a takedown on the edge of the mat, opening up a 2-0 lead at 1:54. Starocci stayed aggressive on offense throughout the opening period and notched a second takedown late and led 4-1 after one. O’Reilly started the second period on bottom and Starocci built his riding time edge well over 1:00. He cut O’Reilly loose midway through the period and led 4-2 with 1:51 in time after two. Starocci escaped to a 5-2 lead quickly in the third. He took the Gopher down a third time late in the period and, with riding time, rolled to the 8-2 win. Starocci’s victory moved him into Sunday’s Big Ten title match.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
184: #1 Aaron Brooks, Sr., Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown — CHAMPION
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #14 Brian Soldano, Rutgers – W, 18-2 (TF; 5:57)
Semi: #8 Matt Finesilver, Michigan – W, 18-6 maj. dec.
Final: #5 Kaleb Romero, Ohio State – W, 12-2 maj. dec.
Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 184 and the top seed, had a bye in the opening round and battled No. 14 Brian Soldano of Rutgers in the quarterfinals. Brooks took Soldano down twice in the opening minute of the bout to lead 4-2 and led 6-2 after one. He quickly upped his lead to 8-2 to start the second stanza and carried that lead, and over 3:00 in riding time, into the third. The Lion senior took a 10-2 lead with a quick takedown and then turned Soldano for two and four to notch the 18-2 technical fall at 5:57. The win moved him into the semifinals and earned him a spot at NCAAs.
Aaron met No. 8 Matt Finesilver of Michigan in his semifinal match. Brooks and Finesilver battled through the opening minute evenly before Brooks blew through a high double to open up a 2-1 lead. Brooks worked Finesilver to the mat for a second takedown and led 4-2, then added a third one late and finished on top to lead 6-2 after the opening period. Brooks continued to pour on the offense in the second, picking up a fourth takedown, then a fifth at 1:00 to open up a 10-4 lead. Brooks worked his riding time edge up over 1:00, picked up a stall point and then took Finesilver down again to lead 13-5 after two. Brooks tacked on two more takedowns, clinched his riding time point, and finished the period on top to roll to the 18-6 major decision.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
197: #3 Max Dean, Sr., Lowell, Mich./Lowell – 2nd place
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #23 Michael Foy, Minnesota – W, 2-0 dec.
Semi: #12 Jacob Warner, Iowa – W, 3-1 dec.
Finals: #10 Silas Allred, Nebraska – L, 3-6 dec.
Dean, ranked No. 3 at 197 and the top seed, had an opening round bye and met No. 23 Michael Foy of Minnesota in his quarterfinal bout. Dean and Foy wrestled through a scoreless first period and the Gopher chose down to start the second. Dean controlled the action from the top position, breaking Foy down and building up 2:00 in riding time by finishing the period on top. Tied 0-0, Dean worked his way to an escape and a 1-0 lead at the 1:10 mark, maintaining a riding time edge. Dean, with the riding time point, moved into the semifinals with a 2-0 win. He also earned an automatic bid to nationals with the victory.
Max took on No. 12 Jacob Warner of Iowa in the semis. Dean and Warner worked the middle of the mat in neutral for the bulk of the first period and finished it in a scoreless tie. Dean chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 1-0 lead at the 1:25 mark. Dean slid through a fast low shot and finished it off for a takedown and a 3-0 lead with :45 left in the period. Dean finished the period on top and led 3-0 after two. Warner quickly escaped to a 3-1 score to start the third period. Dean worked the middle of the mat for the remainder of the period and finished off the 3-1 victory. The win moved Dean into the finals on Sunday and was the 100th victory of his career.
See above story for bout-by-bout recap.
285: #2 Greg Kerkvliet, Jr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley – 2nd place
Rd. 1: bye
Qtr: #16 Tate Orndorff, Ohio State – W, 9-1 maj. dec.
Semi: #3 Tony Cassioppi, Iowa – W, 5-0 dec.
Final: #1 Mason Parris, Michigan – L, 3-5 dec. (sv)
Kerkvliet, ranked No. 2 at 285 and the second seed, had Penn State’s seventh first round bye and took on No. 16 Tate Orndorff of Ohio State in the quarterfinals. Kerkvliet took an early 2-0 lead with a fast takedown and then built up a big riding time edge, forcing Orndorff into a first stall and riding him out to lead 2-0 with 2:48 in riding time. Kerkvliet reversed the Buckeye quickly to start the second, cut him loose and then added another takedown to lead 6-1 with 4:02 riding time after two. He took an 8-1 lead early in the third with a clinched riding time point, rolling into the semifinals with a 9-1 major decision. Kerkvliet also earned a trip to Tulsa and the NCAA tournament with the victory.
Greg faced No. 3 Tony Cassioppi of Iowa in Penn State’s final semifinal bout of the evening. Kerkvliet took a 2-0 lead midway through the opening period with a strong double at the 1:02 mark. He dominated the action on top after the takedown and finished off the period on top to lead 2-0 with 1:02 in riding time after one. Kerkvliet took down to start the second and patiently worked his way to a reversal and a 4-0 lead. He rode Cassioppi out once again and led 4-0 with 1:22 in riding time after two periods. Cassioppi chose down to start the final stanza and but Kerkvliet was unrelenting on top, controlling the Hawkeye for the full two minutes and rolling to a 5-0 win with 3:12 in riding time. His victory pushed him into Sunday’s Big Ten finals, Penn State’s sixth finalist.
