The top-ranked Penn State wrestling team continues its impressive winning streak, defeating No. 21 Lehigh with a commanding score of 36-3. This victory marks another step forward for the Nittany Lions, who have not lost a dual match since 2020.
The matchup began at 125 pounds, featuring No. 16 Luke Lilledahl facing off against No. 15 Sheldon Seymour. After two scoreless periods, Lilledahl gained an edge with a third-period takedown, securing a 4-1 win.
Next up at 133 pounds, No. 10 Braeden Davis faced a tough challenge against the top-ranked Ryan Crookham. Crookham established an early lead and ultimately took the match 4-2, tying the dual at 3-3.
No. 3 Beau Bartlett wrestled at 141 pounds against Carter Bailey, quickly gaining control with a takedown. Bartlett maintained his advantage throughout the match, ultimately winning 5-0, and gave the Nittany Lions a 6-3 lead.
At 149 pounds, No. 2 Shayne Van Ness showcased his skills, dominating with multiple takedowns and securing a major victory with a score of 17-3. His performance extended Penn State’s lead to 10-3.
No. 4 Tyler Kasak continued the trend at 157 pounds with a 5-2 decision over Logan Rozynski, pushing the score to 13-3 at halftime.
The momentum carried into the 165-pound match with No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, who decisively ended his bout in a technical fall, scoring 18-1 and extending the lead to 18-3.
At 174 pounds, No. 2 Levi Haines obtained a pinfall victory over Rylan Rogers, expanding the Nittany Lions’ lead to 24-3.
Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 184 pounds, continued the domination with an 11-0 major decision, bringing the overall score to 27-3.
A highly anticipated match occurred at 197 pounds between No. 23 Josh Barr and former Penn State wrestler No. 6 Michael Beard. Barr pulled off an impressive 11-3 upset, driving the score to 31-3 heading into the heavyweight class.
Finally, at 285 pounds, No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet concluded the dual match with a swift technical fall victory over Calvin Lachman, finalizing the score at 36-3.
The Nittany Lions have demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency this season, solidifying their position as a powerhouse in collegiate wrestling.
This dual showcases the power of teamwork and individual prowess as Penn State continues to impress, not just by winning but by dominating their opponents. As they move forward, fans can remain hopeful for an exciting season filled with potential championships.