Cael Sanderson eager for Levi Haines at 2023 NCAA Wrestling Tournament
It’s hard for Levi Haines to hide from the spotlight at this point. The Penn State 157 pound freshman is the No. 2 seed at the 2023 NCAA Wrestling Tournament and fresh off a Big Ten title.
Head coach Cael Sanderson is eager for his young middleweight to take on a tough field in Tulsa. At this rate, it might not be a surprise to see him win it all Saturday night and begin a legendary career with the Nittany Lions. Former three-time champion and current UFC fighter Bo Nickal already thinks so.
Sanderson spoke ahead of the tournament about Haines’ readiness for the biggest three days in March.
“(Haines is) young, but he is incredibly mature… He’s relaxed, grateful, and always ready to go,” Sanderson said, via OnwardState. “He’s going to give it his best effort regardless of the time or place… He’s always very consistent, and I think that’s what makes things easy for him.”
Haines won 19 matches in a row including his win over Nebraska’s Peyton Robb in the Big Ten finals. His only loss of the season came to Northern Colorado’s Vince Zerban in the Bearcat Open, prior to the staff pulling Haines’ redshirt for the season. Haines is 20-1 on the year.
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While he’s the No. 2 seed, Robb was seeded No. 3 and is on the same side of the bracket. A rematch in the semifinals is a possibility.
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Plus, North Carolina’s Austin O’Connor (18-0) is the No. 1 seed. O’Connor won the 149-pound title in 2021.
“It’s easy to look at the brackets and just scratch your heads, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. You have to go wrestle,” Sanderson said. “You get who you get and you just have to move on.”
The Nittany Lion young gun has yet to lose a match against a Big Ten opponent and he’ll look to keep that streak going at NCAAs, should he match up against a conference foe.
“He’s a friggin’ monster, Levi Haines, true freshman, Big Ten champion, y’all keep your eye on Levi Haines,” Nickal said. “18 years old, competing against 23, 24 year old guys, just won the Big Ten Tournament, No. 1 ranked in the country right now and a Pennsylvania kid savage. Y’all keep your eyes peeled.”