Penn State wrestling results from Session 1 of U20 Championships: Newsstand

Penn State news, notes, and updates for Sept. 6 include a preview of the U20 World Wrestling Championships, which features plenty of Nittany Lion ties, plus headlines of the day and more. It’s time to dive into Friday’s top tweets and headlines. Update: Scroll down for the latest results from U20 Worlds.

Penn State tweets of the day

The U20 men’s freestyle tournament kicks off today in Spain. It will run in two waves. Half of Team USA will compete today and, if they go deep enough into the bracket, tomorrow. The other half will do the same on Saturday and Sunday. A returning Nittany Lion, three Penn State Class of 2024 signees, and a Class of 2025 commit will be on the mat. From the current freshman class, Luke Lilledahl (57 kilograms, 125 pounds), Zack Ryder (79kg/174.1 pounds), and Connor Mirasola (92 kg/202 pounds) are all competing. So, too, is Class of 2025 commit PJ Duke (70 kg/154 pounds) and redshirt freshman Joshua Barr (86 kg/189.5 pounds).

“Lilledahl, a three-time age-group World finalist and 2022 U17 World champion, made the 57 kg final last year in Amman, Jordan, and is looking to get back to the top of the podium,” Richard Immel writes for USA Wrestling. “His first bout comes against Kabe Matjanov of Turkmenistan. Lilledahl needs three wins on Friday to get back to the finals.”

Update: Scroll down for the latest results from U20 Worlds.

Lilledahl, Duke, and Ryder start their tournament today. Duke and Ryder are 2-0 and into the quarters as of 7 am ET. Barr and Mirasola do so on Saturday. For Flo Wrestling, Jon Kozak predicts Lilledahl and Duke to win gold. He projects Ryder to win bronze, Barr to finish fifth, and Mirasola to finish third.

“Duke is incredibly dynamic and can score from his feet in various ways, including some slick upper-body skills and dangerous low-level attacks,” Kozak writes. “Duke is young, but he’s one of the favorites in this bracket.”

We noticed five current and future Nittany Lions are wrestling at the U20 World Championships this week so we put together this guide to help PSU fans follow all the action!

— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) September 4, 2024

Updates from U20 Worlds

The Penn State contingent is off to a fast start at the U20 World Championships. As of Noon, all three Lions are alive for medals and two, Lilledahl and Ryder, are going for gold. Results:

Luke Lilledahl, 57 kilograms:

R1: Beats Kabe Matjanov of Turkmenistan 10-0 in 1:05

Quarters: Beats Ankush Ankush of India 4-3

Semis: Beats beats Hayko Gasparyan of Armenia 4-1.

Finals: Faces Lev Pavlov of the Independent Neutral Athletes Team

PJ Duke, 70 kilograms:

R1: Beats Aden Sakybaev of Kyrgyzstan 10-0 in 4:16

R2: Beats Zelimkhan Mutsukhaev of Poland 10-0 in 0:47

Quarters: Beats Ankh Altangerel of Mongolia 12-1 in 4:39

Semis: Loses 5-5 on criteria to Magomed Baitukaev of INA

Third place: TBD

Zack Ryder, 79 kilograms:

R1: Beats Jinju Li of China 10-0 in 2:28

R2: Beats Leandro Jordan araujo of Brazil 11-0 in 3:40

Quarters: Beats Paulius Lescauskas of Lithuania 11-0 in 2:31

Semis: Beats Said Saidulov of INA by decision, 6-3

Finals: Faces Alp Arslan Begenjov of Turkmenistan

Chop Robinson, Jaylen Wright ready to make immediate Miami Dolphins impact: Schad, Palm Beach Post

Penn State vs. Bowling Green Predictions: Lions look to build on early momentum in home opener: Snyder, BWI

PSU Commit Alex Tatsch, Central Catholic’s Bradley Gompers deserve serious player of the year consideration: White, Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Penn State coach James Franklin discusses how his staff targets recruits committed elsewhere: Snyder, BWI

Penn State’s Smith Vilbert Makes His Long-Awaited Return: Mader, SI

How much is Penn State paying Bowling Green for this weekend’s game?: McGonigal, PennLive

Penn State assistant Anthony Poindexter talks Lions’ young safeties, his top three, and more: Pickel, BWI

Quote of the day

“I think you have to give credit to the kids for buying in,” Poindexter said. “In college football, change happens every year, and our kids didn’t bat an eye. Coach Manny had an opportunity to go be a head coach and the kids were excited for him. “With Coach Allen coming in being a former head coach and longtime defensive coordinator, they’re different people, but our kids bought into the message, how Coach Allen does things, and our kids just like to play football.

“They like to play hard-nosed football. Our kids work, respect coaching, and want to get better every day. If you have talented players who don’t mesh, you don’t get the results. Our kids have bought into how we do business here and we’re working as one. It’s game one, so we still have a lot of things to improve on, but as long as they have the right mindset, we should be OK.”

—PSU co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter on how the Lions’ defense performed in Week 1.