The Penn State Nittany Lions, ranked number one in the nation, took on the #13 Lehigh Mountain Hawks in a dual match held at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The venue was packed, creating an electric atmosphere as wrestling fans eagerly awaited the action.
The competition kicked off with Penn State’s Luke Lilledahl defeating Lehigh’s Sheldon Seymour 4-1 in a tightly contested match. Lilledahl’s strategic maneuvers in the final moments secured him a victory, giving Penn State an early lead.
In the following bout, Lehigh’s top-ranked Ryan Crookham faced off against Penn State’s eighth-ranked Braeden Davis. Despite a valiant effort from Davis, Crookham edged out a 4-2 decision, tying the overall score at three points each.
Penn State reclaimed the lead thanks to Beau Bartlett’s decisive 5-0 win over Carter Bailey in the 141-pound class. Bartlett’s controlled performance widened the gap for Penn State, who continued to build their momentum with a dominant 17-3 major decision from Shayne Van Ness against Matt Repos at 149 pounds.
Tyler Kasak remained steady in the 157-pound bout, securing a 5-2 decision over Logan Rozynski, bringing Penn State’s total to 13 points. The dominance continued as Mitchell Mesenbrink showcased his skills, earning an impressive technical fall against Thayne Lawrence with an 18-1 score at 165 pounds.
Levi Haines followed suit, achieving a fall over Rylan Rogers in just over four minutes, further boosting the Nittany Lions’ total. Carter Starocci, ranked first nationally, added to Penn State’s lead with a 15-1 major decision against Jack Wilt.
The heavyweights concluded the dual with Greg Kerkvliet’s commanding 15-0 technical fall over Calvin Lachman, culminating in a remarkable victory for Penn State with a final score of 36 to 3.
This decisive win showcases Penn State’s depth and talent across weight classes, marking a significant achievement as they move forward in the season. The Nittany Lions demonstrated their prowess and are poised for further success as they continue the journey through to the upcoming tournament season.
For wrestling enthusiasts, the dual was streamed live on FloWrestling, with highlights and replays available for those who missed the live action, ensuring fans remain connected to all the excitement. Upcoming meet dates, including the Big Ten Wrestling Tournament and NCAA Championships, promise more thrilling moments ahead for college wrestling fans.