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Penn State

Max Dean details Penn State wrestling's victory over Iowa

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•01/28/23•

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(Photo by Jay LaPrete/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Max Dean and Penn State wrestling earned a hard fought victory over Iowa in the dual of the year. It pitted the No. 1 Nittany Lions against the No. 2 Hawkeyes where both teams came in undefeated.

Dean took on Iowa’s Jacob Warner in the penultimate match and secured a decision in a rematch of last year’s NCAA finals. It all but clinched the dual.

Dean joined the Let’s Go State Podcast to recap the win over the Hawkeyes after Penn State improved to 11-0.

“Yeah it’s always good to get a win against a tough opponent,” Dean said. “So, you know, it was exciting just because those guys are gonna come out and wrestle hard. They got skills and good coaching and you’re gonna be well prepared. So it’s nice to know that what you’re doing is working and it’s a lot of fun wrestling in front of the Penn State crowd here. 

“They really showed up tonight, so appreciate them. Just good to have an opportunity to go out and (wrestle) somebody tough and find a way to win. You know, appreciate all these opportunities and kind of build it (up) at the end of the year. Just want to make the most of those.”

Dean took down Warner 2-0 in the second-to-last match. He earned an escape point and rode out Warner in the third period.

It’s no secret the two guys could see each other again in the Big Ten Tournament or the NCAA Tournament. Based on this year’s results, Dean and Warner were ranked No. 4 and 7 at the weight, respectively.

“You know, I felt like the later I go into a match I think just keeping my energy high, something that I can do well,” Dean said. “So, you know, I wasn’t really focused, necessarily, on making sure that I got rideout (time) or winning  that way or a different way. Just wanted to make sure that I kept him wrestling hard and kept working hard and you know, was able to stay on top and get the win.”

Penn State’s win highlighted the epic night of wrestling. With the Nittany Lions’ latest win, the team is favored to take home a Big Ten Tournament team title as well as the NCAA title in March.

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It helps having a defending national champion like Dean on the roster. Penn State has three other national champions in the lineup: Roman Bravo-Young, Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks.