The top-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions faced off against the #13 Lehigh Mountain Hawks in a thrilling dual meet held at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The event was sold out, creating an electrifying atmosphere as fans eagerly awaited competition from both teams.
As the dual commenced, the crowd erupted with applause for the Penn State starters, while Lehigh’s Ryan Crookham and Michael Beard also drew significant cheers. The excitement set the stage for an evening of competitive wrestling.
The match kicked off at 125 pounds, where #23 Luke Lilledahl of Penn State narrowly defeated #17 Sheldon Seymour of Lehigh with a score of 4-1, establishing an early lead for the Nittany Lions.
The competition continued with #1 Ryan Crookham from Lehigh defeating #8 Braeden Davis of Penn State, bringing the score to a tie at 3-3. However, Penn State regained control with #3 Beau Bartlett earning a solid 5-0 victory over Carter Bailey, followed by #2 Shayne Van Ness dominating Matt Repos with a major decision of 17-3.
The Nittany Lions continued their strong performance with Tyler Kasak winning 5-2, and Mitchell Mesenbrink showcasing his skills with a decisive tech fall over Thayne Lawrence, winning 18-1. Penn State’s Levi Haines added to the tally with a fall over Rylan Rogers, further extending the lead.
Carter Starocci, ranked #1, defeated Jack Wilt in a dominant fashion, securing a 15-1 major decision, while #21 Josh Barr also recorded a major decision against #6 Michael Beard with an 11-3 win. The heavyweight bout ended with #2 Greg Kerkvliet sealing the dual with a tech fall against Calvin Lachman, resulting in a final score of 36-3 in favor of Penn State.
The event not only highlighted the strength and skill of the Penn State wrestling team but also underscored the spirit of college wrestling and its passionate fanbase. For wrestling enthusiasts, the dual meet served as a reminder of the excitement and level of competition within NCAA wrestling.
As the season continues, fans can look forward to more thrilling matches, with upcoming events such as the Big Ten Wrestling Tournament in March and the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Both events promise to deliver top-notch wrestling action as athletes strive for glory.
In summary, this dual meet was an impressive display of talent by the Penn State Nittany Lions, demonstrating their potential as they progress through the season.