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Penn State wrestling in the rankings: Where are the Lions now? Top-two showdown set for Friday, more

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•01/19/23•

GregPickel

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Penn State heavyweight wrestler Greg Kerkvliet. (Althouse/BWI)

Penn State wrestling is represented in nine of 10 weight classes in this week’s InterMat’s rankings. The latest installment confirms that a top-two showdown is on tap Friday night in State College.

The Lions will host one of two Bryce Jordan Center matches this season when Michigan comes to town for a 7 p.m. meeting on Big Ten Network. The marquee dual will pit No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet of the Nittany Lions opposite No. 2 Mason Parris of the Wolverines at heavyweight. All time, Kerkvliet holds a 3-1 advantage. All three wins for the Lion came last season.

“I think Greg has been doing a great job,” Lions head coach Cael Sanderson said Tuesday. “I think he’s quite a bit better than he was last year. But, he was pretty darn good last year. How that compares to Paris and where he is and his progress, I don’t know. We’ll find out on Friday. You’re talking about two of the top five heavyweights in the country, both at the college and the senior level. So, should be a fun matchup.”

Another top bout on Friday comes at 157 pounds. Penn State will wrestle either No. 17 Levi Haines or unranked Terrell Barraclough opposite No. 10 Wolverine Will Lewan. A decision on which will start, however, has not yet been made. Haines can wrestle one more match without burning a year of eligibility. Barraclough is back from an injury that forced Haines into action for the team’s last four matches.

“I think it’d be interesting to see both of them in there,” Sanderson said.

“You’re talking about a top guy. I think Levi’s doing great. I also think, Terrell’s made a lot of progress. And, seeing him get someone like that would be good.”

Penn State in the rankings

The top-ranked dual team in the country has numerous top-ranked wrestlers in their respective weight classes. Here is where things stand for the week of Jan. 16 per InterMat (the number in parathesis is where the wrestler was ranked last week):

125 pounds: Gary Steen, Not ranked (Last week: Not ranked)

133 pounds: Roman Bravo-Young, No. 1 (1)

141 pounds: Beau Bartlett, No. 4 (4)

149 pounds: Shayne Van Ness, No. 14 (15)

157 pounds: Terrell Barraclough, Not ranked (NR); Levi Haines, No. 17 (16)

165 pounds: Alex Facundo, No. 16 (16)

174 pounds: Carter Starocci, No. 1 (1)

184 pounds: Aaron Brooks, No. 1 (1)

197 pounds: Max Dean, No. 4 (4)

285 pounds: Greg Kerkvliet, No. 1 (1)

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