Big Ten Wrestling Takeaways after Week 14 of regular season

The latest weekend in Big Ten wrestling had some eye-opening matches and results overall. Comebacks, upsets, domination, just another week.

Some of the individual rankings were shaken up this week, including a new No. 1 per InterMat. But, the Big Ten conference had a lot of fun things to look back on as we prepare for the postseason.

Let’s dive into the biggest storylines from the past weekend in Big Ten wrestling.

Sergio Lemley is for real

If you watched Michigan–Iowa, you might’ve been surprised at the final result, 24-11 for the maize and blue. The Wolverines pretty much steamrolled the Hawkeyes in Ann Arbor. But, they match up quite well.

Still, there was a stunner: Lemley over No. 1 Real Woods at 141 pounds. Lemley made sure this match wasn’t even close in a 14-2 major decision. In fact, it looked like Woods was pinned near the end. Still, Lemley is now in the top 10 as a freshman and looks like a podium contender, easily.

Ohio State could be the challenger to Penn State … in 2025

The Buckeyes were bulldozed by Penn State Friday night but bounced back with a solid win against Rutgers on the road. Ohio State earned some individual upsets, despite suffering some of their own, and won the toss up bouts.

The win against Rutgers was good, but it was the young bucks stepping up. Guys like Brendan McCrone (125), Rocco Welsh (174), Luke Geog (197) and Nick Feldman (285) are the present and future of this lineup. All freshmen right there. With Sammy Sasso’s expected return next season, this looks like a team that might have a shot at a team title based on development. They can be that good.

What a win for Indiana

The Hoosiers erased an 18-point deficit against Michigan State. Down that big, there was no way they were going to come back and win right? Think again.

It took six straight wins for the Hoosiers including 197 pounder Gabe Sollars upsetting No. 29 Kael Wisler 8-5. From there, Indiana won the toss ups and got a buzzer beating takedown from Dan Fongaro at 141 pounds to beat Jordan Hamdan in a matchup of No. 24 vs. No. 30. Now, there was some controversy regarding reaction time, control, etc. What is a takedown? Graham Rooks ended it with a fall and an emphatic way to show Indiana is truly on the rise.

Can Penn State get four, even five NCAA champions in March?

This team is so dominant and has five No. 1 wrestlers at the moment: Beau Bartlett (141), Levi Haines (157), Carter Starocci (174), Aaron Brooks (197) and Greg Kerkvliet (285). Starocci and Brooks are three-time champs and looking for history. It’s hard to pick against them.

Now, the others could certainly have a better chance of being picked off. But Haines made the finals as a freshman last year and is the clear cut No. 1 this year. Bartlett moved up this week and Woods, as seen above, is beatable. Bartlett also beat No. 3 Jesse Mendez (Ohio State). Kerkvliet’s been the No. 1 all year.

Oh yeah, freshman Braeden Davis (125) is now No. 2. Clean sweep? Now that would be absurd and it would be time to change the postseason. Kidding of course. But Penn State seems destined to get at least two champions and then take your pick for two or three more. Cael Sanderson’s guys just get up for the postseason.