Penn State wrestling: Big Ten tournament updates as seven Lions wrestle for spot in finals

Seven Penn State wrestlers go for a spot in the Big Ten tournament finals tonight.

The Nittany Lions are still vying for a team conference title, of course. Eight members of head coach Cael Sanderson’s program have already earned an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. But, only seven remain alive for a spot in the first place bout, which will be held Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.

“They’ve been light and just consistent,” Penn State coach Cael Sanderson told the Penn State Sports Network before wrestling began on Saturday.

“Very relaxed. Almost too relaxed, but that’s a good thing when we compete. They still have to make up their mind and go wrestle great today, tomorrow, and obviously in two weeks. We’re in position to do that. They have to do that. It’s their goal. We have team goals. I think they’re ready to go. We’ll see how they compete.”

Drew Hildebrandt can still earn one of the Big Ten’s 10 125-pound spots if he wrestles back to earn it. But, surprisingly, he’s now in a mini-tournament to earn that spot after entering the tournament as a number two seed.

Creighton Edsell, then, has likely seen his season come to an end. He lost his opening consolation bracket match to Cael Carlson of Minnesota, 3-2. He can only make NCAAs now if he earns an at-large bid.

With all that out of the way, semifinal wrestling starts at 8:30 pm ET at 125 pounds. The first Lion will go at 133 when Roman Bravo-Young takes the mat for Penn State. Nick Lee (141), Brady Berge (157), Carter Starocci (174), Aaron Brooks (184), Max Dean (197), and Greg Kerkvliet (285) will also be in action.

Here’s a look at the Penn State matchups on deck. Join us in The Wrestling Room forum to discuss this second session.

Penn State wrestling semifinal matchups

133: Roman Bravo-Young vs. No. 5 Dylan Ragusin, Michigan

141: Nick Lee vs. No. 5 Jakob Bergeland, Minnesota

157: Brade Berge vs. No. 3 Will Lewan, Michigan

174: Carter Starocci vs. No. 4 Michael Kemerer, Iowa

184: Aaron Brooks vs. No. 4 Taylor Venz, Nebraska

197: Max Dean vs. No. 3 Cameron Caffey, Michigan State

285: Greg Kerkvliet vs. No. 2 Tony Cassioppi, Iowa

Rolling semifinal updates

Once the semifinals begin, you can find updates on each Penn State match. This page does not update automatically so please refresh this page to see the latest information after 8:30 pm.

133 pounds: After a scoreless first two and a half minutes, Bravo-Young scored on shot in on a single and scored for a 2-0 lead after three minutes of wrestling. Bravo-Young rode out the third period, and then was down to start the third. The Penn State wrestler popped out halfway through the third for a 3-0 advantage. With riding time, he won 4-0. On Sunday, RBY will face Austin DeSanto of Iowa, as expected.

141 pounds: Nick Lee scores first, gives up an escape, then scores another takedown for a quick 4-1 lead. A tilt from there adds another four points. Another tilt for two followed by a reset and exactly the same thing makes it 12-1 after one. A takedown for Lee from neutral makes it 14-1 early in the second, and he wins early in the third period by technical fall, 16-1, in 5:06. He’ll face Iowa’s Jaydin Eierman in Sunday’s final.

157 pounds: After a scoreless first period, Lewan escapes quickly for the bout’s first points and a 1-0 lead. Berge was down to start the third and escaped to tie the bout at one. The Penn State wrestler and his Michigan foe went to sudden victory after three periods of wrestling left them tied at one. Eleven seconds into overtime, Lewan secured the match-securing takedown for a 3-1 win. Berge is off to the consolation bracket. He’ll wrestle again Sunday.

174 pounds: Carter Starocci is into the finals by injury default. Iowa’s Michael Kemerer, who has an injured shoulder, medically forfeited out of the semifinals.

Rolling Penn State semifinal updates 184-285

184 pounds: Aaron Brooks scores the opening takedown for a 2-0 lead. He ended up riding out the period for nearly two minutes of riding time in addition to the lead. Brooks gets a reversal to start the second period for a 4-0 lead. An escape and a takedown makes it 6-1 in favor of the Penn State wrestler. Venz earned an escape in the third for a 6-2 Brooks lead. Brooks wins, 7-2, to move onto the finals.

197 pounds: A quick takedown for Dean equals a 2-0 lead. He rides out the first period. The Penn State wrestler then escapes for a 3-0 lead in the second. Caffey scores a takedown in the third to pull within 3-2, but Dean escapes to 4-2. With a riding time point, Dean wins 5-2 and is off to the finals.

285 pounds: The first period ends scoreless. Kerkvliet quickly reserved Cassioppi after starting down to start the second, but the Hawkeye escapes to 2-1. Cassioppi escapes in the third to 2-2 with about 90 seconds to wrestle. Kerkvliet shoots on a double and finishes it for a 4-2 lead with about 35 seconds to wrestle. Cassioppi scored a reversal late in the third, however, and now they are off to sudden victory, where Cassioppi wins, 6-4.