Penn State wrestling results at the NWCA All-Star Classic: How did the Lions do Saturday night?
Five Penn State wrestlers are competing in the 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic. The event does not count in terms of the season record. But, the results will have an impact on the eventual seeding of the NCAA Tournament later this year.
Here are the results for the Lions who competed. More details can be found below. The event was put on by FLO Wrestling.
141: #2 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State d. #3 Beau Bartlett, Penn State, 4-1
149: #2 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State md. #3 Ty Watters, West Virginia, 16-4
157: #4 Tyler Kasak, Penn State d. #5 Peyten Kellar, Ohio 4-2
174: #2 Levi Haines, Penn State d. #3 Cade DeVos, SDSU, 7-0
184: #1 Carter Starocci, Penn State d. #2 Parker Keckeisen, Northern Iowa, 4-1 (sudden victory)
“They’re wrestling some of the best guys in the country, so we want them to focus on that match,” Penn State coach Cael Sanderson said this week. “We have a lot of really tough and able-bodied kids that are ready to jump in there if the opportunity presents itself.”
Refresh this page for the latest Penn State/NWCA All-Star Classic updates below.
Starocci beats Keckeisen in a thriller
11/16/2024 09:26:10 PMThe night’s headliner match proved worthy of all the hype it received in the days leading up to the map. After the match was tied 1-1 with three periods in the books, Starocci, who is in his first season at 184 pounds, shot low and eventually worked his way for a takedown against Parker Keckeisen, the defending 184-pound champ. It secures Starocci’s No. 1 ranking and sets the two on a collision course for nationals.
Haines rolls over DeVos
11/16/2024 09:08:48 PMLevi Haines’ bump up two weight classes is off to a strong start. Last year’s 157-pound NCAA champ and current second-ranked wrestler at 174 pounds rolled to a 7-0 win over No. 3 Cade DeVos of South Dakota State. Four nearfall points in the third period widened the margin of victory for the Nittany Lion.
Kasak rolls to a win over Keller
11/16/2024 08:43:27 PMPenn State sophomore Tyler Kasak bumped up from 141 pounds to 149 pounds to finish third at NCAAs a year ago. Now, he’s moving up to 157 pounds. And, it’s so far, so good. He knocked out No. 3 Peyton Keller 4-2 with 1:02 in riding time. An early takedown both gave him a lead and secured the riding time needed to withstand a third period ride out for Keller.
Van Ness crushes Watters
11/16/2024 08:31:33 PMWelcome back, Shayne Van Ness! The 2022-2023 All-American who missed almost all of last season due to injury crushed Ty Watters of West Virginia. The final score was 16-4. A first period takedown that netted nearfall points set the tone, and the Nittany Lion was dominating throughout in his first match in nearly a year.
Bartlett drops another match to Mendez
11/16/2024 08:31:23 PMBartlett, ranked No. 3, lost a 4-1 decision to Mendez, who is ranked No. 1. A Mendez takedown late in the first period was the difference. It marks his third straight defeat to the Buckeye, who also beat him in last year’s NCAA finals at 141 pounds. Mendez also clipped the Nittany Lion at Big Tens in 2023. Generating offense is usually the biggest challenge for Bartlett. His other two losses to Mendez in college were both by a 4-1 final. He did beat Mendez once 4-1 back in 2023.
