Penn State wrestling notes: Some clarity at 125, Cael Sanderson on pulling Levi Haines' redshirt, and more

Penn State wrestling continued its reign as the nation’s No. 1 team by beating No. 2 Iowa 23-14 last Friday night. The match set television records and sold out the Bryce Jordan Center in State College.

However, in the days since the dual, many have lamented on social media about the fact that scoring was at a premium in most of the 10 contested bouts. However, speaking Tuesday during a regularly-scheduled media session, Lions head coach Cael Sanderson scoffed at the idea that it has become a talking point.

“I think you have two good teams that are just competing,” Sanderson said. “Everyone wants to score more points and be more offensive. But, it’s easier said than done. It was just a great match and two good teams. They’re very well-coached, obviously, and have a lot of great guys.

“So, [we’ll] just get ready for the next one out. But everyone wants to see stuff that’s fun to see. But you know, this is sport, and it’s real life, and you’re competing and kids are trying to win. We haven’t thought any more about it. We’re moving on.”

Penn State moves on next to a two-match road trip. It starts at No. 5 Ohio State on Friday (7 p.m. Big Ten Network) and concludes Sunday at Indiana (1 p.m., BTN+). BWI’s Thomas Frank Carr was at Sanderson’s media session. Other highlights from it are below.

What’s up at 125?

Penn State surprised fans, and likely Iowa too, when it sent Marco Vespa to the mat instead of Gary Steen at 125 pounds against the Hawkeyes. However, an injury was the reason why.

Signs now point to Steen being through that setback and ready to return to action, though.

“He’s fine,” Sanderson said. “If you saw [Steen’s] last match, to Michigan State, he kind of hobbled off a little bit there. But he’s fine. He’s in there [at practice on Tuesday]. He’s rolling right now.”

On the match notes released by the program, Steen is the only listed projected starter at 125. So, barring a surprise, he should face the Buckeyes and Hoosiers this weekend. He is 5-9 on the year.

More on Levi Haines and Penn State burning his redshirt

The decision to burn Levi Haines’ redshirt at 157 pounds continues to be a talking point this week. The freshman phenom wrestled and won his sixth match of the year against Iowa, which put him over the eligibility-saving threshold. What did Sanderson see and hear that made him make that choice?

“I think the big thing is just making sure everybody’s on the same page,” Sanderson said. “You can’t have a house divided. I mean, with their family, with the kid with the team, the coaches, everybody; it’s something that the kid and their family has to be excited about. Levi’s excited to compete. And, he’s ready, as we’ve seen, and the family is supportive.

“Now it’s up to him. Same with everybody. You take advantage of opportunities or you you don’t, and then the next one comes. It’s up to Levi to make it the right experience, or decision, but even then, he’s going to compete with enthusiasm, which is the most important thing.”

It’s also important to point out that, unlike in past years, the fact that wrestlers can now compete in up to five matches and still redshirt made this choice clear.

“Levi’s been with us,” Sanderson continued. “They have new rules now where you can compete. So it’s not like he hasn’t wrestled in big matches. He has a few times. But, we still think he can continue to improve, and he will. But, whether he’s a redshirt or a senior or junior, if you want to keep winning, you have to keep getting better.”

He said it

Sanderson, on whether or not Penn State exited the Iowa match healthy:

“Yeah, I’d say so. Everything’s good. Like I say, every year, I feel like a team like Iowa, they’re really good at showing you what you need to work on, freshmen through seniors. It was good from that standpoint, gives us a chance to make some adjustments. Obviously, big matchups, they just keep coming up. So we just got to keep going and get better.”