4 Penn State takeaways from session one of the NCAA Wrestling Championships

Session one of the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships is in the books. It went quite well for Penn State. But, it certainly did not go entirely as planned. Head coach Cael Sanderson’s team secured eight of 10 first round wins. That, on it’s face, sounds very good. But, all 10 wrestlers were favored to advance, meaming both losses were seeding upsets. And, only one of the team’s first five wrestlers, 157-pound sophomore Levi Haines, earned bonus points.

Things got better as the first round progressed, as expected. Penn State had four technical falls in the final five weight classes. But, the Lions have plenty of work to do if they hope to have 10 All-Americans and possibly break the all-time NCAA scoring record, which seems like a significant longshot at this point. With all of that said, the Lions sit atop the team race after session one.

We have takeaways from session one, full results, and a look at tonight’s second session matchups below. Blue-White Illustrated will have ongoing coverage as the Lions continue their pursuit of a third consecutive team title. 

Welcome back, Carter

Penn State three-time All-American and national champion Carter Starocci is back in business. Wearing a sleeve to cover a brace over the right knee he injured at the end of February, the Nittany Lion surrendered his first takedown of the season to Minnesota’s Andrew Sparks early in the first period. But, he ultimately roared back to win 12-6 and looked fine doing so. It may not end all of the concerns fans have about the senior. But, it was a good start regardless.

Anything to worry about with Penn State freshman Davis?

Penn State freshman Braeden Davis won his first match at nationals by going after No. 32 Tristan Lujuan of Michigan State relentlessly en route to an 8-1 decision win. It was a strong effort. But, at multiple points in the match, the first-year Nittany Lion appeared to be glancing at his right hand as if it was either injured or perhaps there was something on it. At no point did it appear he was injured other than in those instances. But, it will be something to watch for this evening when he faces No. 17 Brett Ungar of Cornell in round two.

Nagao, Kasak, face long roads back

Penn State’s hopes of becoming the first team since 2001 Minnesota to have 10 All-Americans took a significant hit in the first round. Aaron Nagao scored a reversal late but otherwise created no offense en route to an upset loss at 133 pounds to No. 23 Marlon Yarbrough of Virginia, who took down the Nittany Lion four times and controlled the action throughout. Then, at 149 pounds, seven-seeded freshman Tyler Kasak was aggressive in the third but not enough so en route to getting upset by No. 26 Jaden Abas of Stanford by decision, 4-2.

Nagao’s tournament is not over. But, his road back to All-American status, which he earned earlier in his career at Minnesota, is a long one. The same goes for Kasak if he hopes to become an All-American for the first time. Both must win four consolation bracket matches to put themselves in position to be inside of the top eight. The journey starts with No. 26 Kade Moore of Missouri in tonight’s first round consolation action for Nagao, while Kasak draws  No. 23 Drew Roberts of Minnesota.

Techs lead to team race lead

Penn State picked up five technical fall victories in the opening session. Levi Haines got the first one at 157 pounds, and Mitchell Mesenbrink (165), Bernie Truax (184), Aaron Brooks (197), and Greg Kerkvliet followed him with big wins of their own. It has the Lions in the lead for the team race after the opening session. Here are the standings:

1. Penn State – 15.5

2. Nebraska — 14

3. Michigan — 13.5

4. Iowa State — 13

5. Ohio State — 12.5

Full first-round Penn State results

125 pounds: No. 1 Braeden Davis, Penn State. d. No. 33 Tristan Lujuan, Michigan State, 8-1

133 pounds: No. 23 Marlon Yarbrough, Virginia md. No. 10 Aaron nagao, PSU, 13-5

141 pounds: No. 2 Beau Bartlett, Penn State d. No. 31 Kal Miller, Maryland, 6-1

149 pounds: No. 26 Jaden Abas, Stanford d. No. 7 Tyler Kasak, PSU, 4-2

157 pounds: No. 1 Levi Haines, PSU tf. No. 32 Isaax Wilcox, Ohio State, 17-2 (7:00)

165 pounds: No. 2 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State tf.,  No. 31 Maxx Mayfield, Northwestern, 18-2 (5:32)

174 pounds: No. 9 Carter Starocci, PSU d.  No. 24 Andrew Sparks, Minnesota, 12-6

184 pounds: No. 6 Bernie Truax, Penn State tf. No. 27 Cameron Pine, Clarion, 18-3 (5:09)

197 pounds: No. 1 Aaron Brooks, PSU tf. No. 33 Evan Bates, Northwestern, 19-4 (5:24)

285 pounds: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet, Penn State vs. No. 32 Nick Willham, Indiana

Who does each Nittany Lion face in the second session?

It starts at 7 p.m. ET tonight. All bouts are in the championship bracket unless otherwise noted. 

125 pounds: No. 1 Braeden Davis, Penn State. vs. No. 17 Brett Ungar, Cornell

133 pounds: No. 10 Aaron Nagao, PSU vs. No. 26 Kade Moore, Missouri (consolation bracket)

141 pounds: No. 2 Beau Bartlett, Penn State vs. No. 15 Mitch Moore, Rutgers

149 pounds: No. 7 Tyler Kasak, PSU vs. No. 23 Drew Roberts, Minnesota (consolation)

157 pounds: No. 1 Levi Haines, PSU vs. No. 16 Teague Travis, Oklahoma State

165 pounds: No. 2 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State vs. No. 15 Brevin Cassella, Binghamton

174 pounds: No. 9 Carter Starocci, PSU vs. No. 8 Adam Kemp, Cal Poly

184 pounds: No. 6 Bernie Truax, Penn State vs. No. 11 Colton Hawks, Missouri

197 pounds: No. 1 Aaron Brooks, PSU vs. No. 17 Joseph Novak, Wyoming

285 pounds: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet, Penn State vs. No. 17 Grady Greiss, Navy