Penn State wrestling is set for an exciting weekend as they prepare to face No. 25 Indiana and Maryland. The top-ranked Nittany Lions, boasting an impressive record of 9-0 and six wrestlers ranked No. 1 in their weight classes, will host Indiana at 7 p.m. on Friday, followed by a match against Maryland at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The match against the Terps has been moved up due to a snowstorm expected to impact the Mid-Atlantic region.
As the Nittany Lions aim to maintain their dominance after winning 19 of 20 bouts last week against Iowa and Northwestern, expectations are high for continued success this weekend. While Indiana has had a decent season, with some competitive wrestlers, the matchups against Penn State’s top-ranked grapplers are decidedly challenging. Indiana’s Jacob Moran at 125 and Sam Goin at 184, both ranked, will find tough competition against Penn State’s Luke Lilledahl and Rocco Welsh.
Meanwhile, Maryland faces additional hurdles as they will be without All-American wrestler Jaxon Smith at 184 due to an ankle injury. This opens the door for Penn State wrestlers such as Marcus Blaze, Shayne Van Ness, and Welsh, who are all highly ranked, presenting a formidable challenge for the Terps.
The odds appear to favor the Nittany Lions significantly. With an 80-match winning streak, which includes 45 consecutive victories in Big Ten competition, along with eight unbeaten starters and six top-ranked wrestlers, Penn State has dominated the season. This impressive run has seen opponents score a mere 19 points across nine matches so far.
Freshman PJ Duke expressed pride in being part of the team, which has already secured five shutouts this season, a feat not achieved since the 2012-13 season. Penn State’s victories over Iowa included several tightly contested matches, exemplifying their resilience and competitive spirit. Coach Cael Sanderson praised Rocco Welsh for his composure and talent, highlighting the significance of his winning performance over a top-ranked opponent.
Additionally, heavyweight Cole Mirasola showcased his potential with a pivotal victory, contributing to the team’s overall confidence. Sanderson noted the importance of Mirasola’s wins for his self-belief and development.
As the Nittany Lions aim to continue their winning streak amid challenging weather conditions, fans remain hopeful for another successful weekend as they anticipate outstanding performances from their talented lineup.