Penn State wrestling crushes Edinboro for 56th consecutive dual win, but a big question lingers: Takeaways

Penn State wrestling won its 12th and final dual meet of the regular season on Sunday in convincing fashion at Rec Hall. The No. 1 Nittany Lions won all 10 bouts on Senior Day en route to a 55-0 victory over non-conference foe Edinboro.

“We try to wrestle a local school if we can or somebody that we can bring in,” Lions coach Cael Sanderson said before the match. “Edinboro was willing and happy to come in. So, it’s the senior night and stuff. We don’t put a lot of emphasis on that, because it’s really not senior night. I mean, you know, Saturday night of the NCAA Tournament is senior night, really, for those guys, not just the dual meet. But it is for the fans. And most of the fans, this will be the last chance to get to see them in person.”

What did we learn? Here are our top takeaways.

The Penn State lineup was full of starters

Throughout the week, it was unclear if Penn State would have its full lineup for just the fourth time in 10 dual meets in 2024. In fact, it was expected that at least one member of the lineup would sit out. But, all 10 regular, including Aaron Nagao at 133 pounds, took the mat for the Nittany Lions. It was good news for Sanderson’s side. It has finished its eighth season out of the last nine undefeated during dual meets.

Who was honored on Senior Day?

As Sanderson noted in the quote above, Senior Day does not mean the same thing for the wrestling program as it does for just about any other team on campus. It has never been a huge fanfare event. Only Bernie Truax (184 pounds) and Aaron Brooks (197) are out of eligibility after this year. So, they were honored. Others who also were include Marco Vespa (125), Baylor Shunk (133), Imran Heard (149), Matt Lee (165), Terrell Barraclough (165), Carter Starocci (174), Donovan Ball (184), and Greg Kerkvliet (heavyweight).

Keep in mind that, like with football Senior Day, competitors can be honored on Senior Day and then come back for another season or not but decide to move on anyway. Those with decisions to make include starters Beau Bartlett (141 pounds), Carter Starocci (174), and Greg Kerkvliet (285), among others, some of which do not typically make the starting lineup.

Is Starocci OK?

Penn State multi-time All-American Carter Starocci appeared to injure his right knee at the end of his technical fall victory at 174 pounds. He was helped off the mat. There was no immediate update on his status as he chases his fourth national title in as many years.

Penn State-Edinboro results

125 pounds: No. 8 Braeden Davis, Penn State TF Caleb Edwards, Edinboro, 19-3 (4:02)

133 pounds: No. 11 Aaron Nagao, Penn State TF Eamonn Jimenez, Edinboro, 18-3 (3:33)

141 pounds: No. 1 Beau Bartlett, PSU WBF Jacob Brennenman, Edinboro, (4:11)

149 pounds: No. 9 Tyler Kasak, PSU WBF over Colin Roberts, Edinboro, (3:20)

157 pounds: No. 1 Levi Haines, PSU WBF Gannon Jaquay, Edinboro, (4:38)

165 pounds: No. 6 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State win by forfeit

174 pounds: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU TF Jody Arnold, Edinboro, 22-5 (2:45)

184 pounds: No. 6 Bernie Truax, PSU TF Brody Evans, Edinboro, 21-3 (5:00)

197 pounds: No. 1 Aaron Brooks, Penn State TF Jack Kilner, Edinboro, 19-4 (3:55)

285 pounds: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet, PSU WBF Nick Lodato, Edinboro, (1:27)