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Josh Barr injury update: Latest from Cael Sanderson on the Penn State wrestling starter before nationals

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•about 10 hours•

GregPickel

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Penn State wrestler Joshua Barr (Tyler Mantz/Penn State Athletics)

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson provided another positive update on the status of redshirt freshman Josh Barr ahead of this week’s NCAA Championships in Philadelphia. The 197-pound starter suffered a left leg injury at Big Tens, where he ultimately medically forfeited to sixth place. He would go on to earn the No. 4 seed for the national tournament, which runs Thursday-Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center, despite the setback. Sanderson provided a good update on Barr during a spot on the Penn State Coaches Show last week. And, he did so again on Monday during his final news conference in State College before the team treks to the City of Brotherly Love.

“Josh has been working really hard,” Sanderson said. “And, we’ve got Dan Monthley as our trainer. I can’t imagine there’s a better trainer in the world. He’s put a lot of time and effort in. Josh is going to be ready to scrap on Thursday. He’s looking good.”

Here’s what Sanderson said on Barr back on Thursday:

“At the beginning of the season, it was more just hustle and kind of make your opponents not want to wrestle you again. And he’s done that. And as he’s done that, his techniques caught up with him. I feel like he’s got a lot better.

“We had to kind of carry him off the mat in his last match at the Big Tens. But he’ll be ready to go. And, he’ll be scrapping on Thursday next week. So, we’re happy for him.”

Barr opens his first NCAA Tournament opposite No. 29 Tucker Hogan of Lock Haven. The freshman is 22-6 this season.

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Who does each Penn State wrestler face first at nationals?

Check out the full list below. Click here to see our five thoughts on the Lions’ bracket draws.

125 pounds: No. 1 Luke Lilledahl, PSU vs. No. 33 Caleb Weiand Michigan State OR No. 32 Marcelli Milani, Cornell

133 pounds: No. 8 Braeden Davis, Penn State vs. No. 25 Kurt Phipps, Bucknell

141 pounds: No. 2 Beau Bartlett, PSU vs. No. 31 Jordan Titus, West Virginia

149 pounds: No. 3 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State vs. No. 30 Gabe Willochell, Wyoming

157 pounds: No. 1 Tyler Kasak, PSU vs. No. 33 Richard Fedalen, Colorado vs. No. 32 Landon Johnson, Northern Illinois

165 pounds: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State vs. No. 33 Chandler Amaker, Central Michigan vs. No. 32 Jared Keslar, Pittsburgh

174 pounds: No. 2 Levi Haines, PSU vs. No. 30 Avery Bassett, Lock Haven

184 pounds: No. 1 Carter Starocci, Penn State vs. No. 33 TJ McDonnell, Oregon State vs. No. 32 Caden Rogers, Lehigh

197 pounds: No. 4 Josh Barr, PSU vs. No. 29 Tucker Hogan, Lock Haven

285 pounds: No. 3 Greg Kerkvliet, Penn State vs. No. 30 Sam Mitchell, Wyoming

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