Penn State Sends Eight to Quarters; Extends Lead at 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team extended its lead in the team race with a perfect second session at the 2024 NCAA Championships in Kansas City. Penn State, under the guidance of head coach Cael Sanderson, moved eight wrestlers into the quarterfinals in the T-Mobile Center. Action resumes on Friday, March 22, with the third session at 12 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. local). Session three features the national quarterfinals and consolation action.

Penn State leads the team race with 34.5 points as of 10:30 p.m. (some consolation action ongoing). Iowa (24.5) and Iowa State (24.5) are tied for second. In addition to going a perfect 8-0 in the second round of the championship bracket, Penn State went 2-0 in consolation action and has all 10 wrestlers continuing on tomorrow.

True freshman Braeden Davis, the No. seed at 125, took on No. 17 Brett Ungar of Cornell in the second round. Davis shot Ungar off the mat at 1:23 with a blast double but did not get the stall call with 1:55 on the clock. The Nittany Lion freshman continued to force Ungar backwards through the 1:00 mark. The first period ended in a scoreless tie. Davis chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. The Lion freshman continued to press Ungar back and the Big Red grappler worked the outside circle. Davis led 1-0 after two. Ungar chose down to start the third period and Davis went to work on top. The Nittany Lion controlled the action through the 1:00 mark and built his time up over 1:00. Davis was hit for stalling with :29 left, still on top. Ungar escaped with :08 left but Davis’ 1:41 in riding time was the factor in a 2-1 win. He advanced to the quarterfinals with the victory.

Senior Beau Bartlett, the No. 2 seed at, faced No. 15 Mitch Moore of Rutgers in the second round. The duo worked neutral through the 1:30 mark, wrestling in the center of the mat. Neither wrestler was able to find an opening in the opening period and the bout moved to the second tied 0-0. Bartlett chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead.  Action continued in neutral through the :30 mark and to 0:00. Trailing 1-0, Moore chose down to start the third period. Moore escaped to a 1-1 tie at 1:30 and Bartlett quickly locked up a single. He finished off the takedown by locking up a cradle and got the fall at the 3:49 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Sophomore Levi Haines, the No. 1 seed at 157, battled No. 16 Teague Travis of Oklahoma State in round two. Haines set a quick tempo to start, working for position in the center circle. He picked up the first takedown at the 1:47 mark to open up a 3-0 lead. Haines then went to work on top, working for a turn. Haines built up over 1:00 in riding time with control, finishing on top to lead 3-0 with 1:47 in time after one. Haines chose down to start the second period, escaped to a 4-0 lead and took the Cowboy down again to open up a 7-0 lead with 1:25 remaining. He added two more takedowns and led 13-2 after two. Travis chose down to start the third, Haines cut him to a 13-3 score and notched a counter takedown to lead 16-3 with clinched riding time. He took a 16-4 lead with another takedown and finished off the technical fall with a scrambling takedown with :19 left. Haines’ 19-4 tech fall advanced him into the quarterfinals.

Redshirt freshman Mitchell Mesenbrink, the No. 2 seed at, met No. 15 Brevin Cassella of Binghamton in the second round. Mesenbrink nearly scored off the whistle with a fast single. But Cassella worked his way out of bounds to force a reset. The Bearcat shot low and Mesenbrink was able to force a stalemate with 1:56 on the clock. Mesenbrink struck quickly on the reset, taking a 3-0 lead with a fast takedown at 1:50. He cut Cassella loose and went back to work on offense. He picked up a second takedown at :30, finished on top, and led 6-1 with 1:07 riding time after one. Mesenbrink chose down to start the second and quickly reversed action to an 8-1 lead. He added one more takedown and led 11-3 with 1:27 in time after two. Mesenbrink chose down to start the third period. Cassella was able to control the action on top for the entire period. Mesenbrink’s dominance over the first two periods allowed the Lion to roll to an 11-3 major decision and advance to the quarterfinals.

Senior Carter Starocci, the No. 9 seed at174, met No. 8 Adam Kemp of Cal Poly in round two.  Kemp scored quickly, taking a 3-0 lead just :07 into the bout. Starocci was able to work to an escape in :30 and cut the lead to 3-1. The Lion went to work on offense, using a low double for a quick takedown on the edge of the mat with 1:16 left in the period. He controlled the action on top and rode Kemp out to lead 4-3 after one. Starocci chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 5-3 lead. He and Kemp battled evenly for the remainder of the period, allowing Starocci to carry the two-point lead into the third period. Kemp chose neutral to start the third period. Starocci and Kemp battled through an even 2:00 to close out the bout. Starocci moved into the quarterfinals with a 5-3 victory.

Graduate Bernie Truax, the No. 6 seed at 184, faced No. 11 Colton Hawks of Missouri in round two. Truax and Hawks battled evenly to begin the match, working on their fee in the center circle. Truax nearly connected on a fast shot at the :50 mark but Hawks skipped out of trouble to keep the match tied 0-0. After a scoreless first period, Hawks chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 1-0 lead. Truax moved in on a low shot and finished off the takedown to lead 3-1 at 1:30. Hawks escaped to a 3-2 score and action continued in neutral. Truax forced Hawks towards the outside circle but settling for a 3-2 lead after two periods. Truax escaped to a 4-2 lead to begin the final period. With the clock moving to 1:00, the Lion stepped back from a quick shot and settled into position in the middle of the mat. He battled back a late Hawks surge and moved into the quarterfinals with a 4-2 victory.

Senior+ Aaron Brooks, the No. 1 seed at 197, battled No. 17 Joseph Novak of Wyoming in the second round. After a scoreless first minute, Brooks moved in on Novak, took him down and locked up a cradle. He picked up two near fall points and led 5-0 at the 1:32 mark. After resetting his position on top, Brooks worked Novak’s shoulders to the mat and picked up the first period fall at the 2:20 mark. His pin moved the Lion senior into the quarterfinals.

Senior Greg Kerkvliet, the No. 1 seed at 285, took on NO. 17 Grady Griess of Navy in round two. Kerkvliet scored quickly, taking Griess down off the whistle to lead 3-0 at 2:43. He then went to work on top, building up a riding time edge while trying to turn Griess for back points. He controlled the action with a strong ride, working his time up over 2:00. He picked up a stall point and led 4-0 with 2:42 in time after one. Kerkvliet chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 5-0 lead. He took Griess down on the center circle for an 8-0 lead and went back to work on top. He finished the period on top and led 8-0 with 4:05 in time after two periods. Griess chose down to start the third and escaped to an 8-1 score, but Kerkvliet had riding time clinched. The duo finished the bout in neutral. Kerkvliet, with riding time, rolled into the semifinals with a 9-0 major decision.

Sophomore Aaron Nagao, the No. 10 seed at 133, battled #26 Kade Moore of Missouri in his first consolation bout. Nagao worked his way in on an early shot, forcing a scramble that led to a takedown and an early 3-0 lead. Nagao worked the top position, working to turn the Tiger grappler. Moore worked his way to an escape after a reset with 1:10 on the clock. Nagao continued his strong offense, notching a second takedown at :35. He added two back points and carried an 8-1 lead with 1:55 in time into the second period. Nagao escaped to start the second period and led 9-1. Moore took a low shot, forcing a scramble. Nagao scrambled through for a counter takedown and led 12-1. He worked Moore over to his back for a four count as the period ended and walked away with a 16-1 technical fall at 5:00.

True freshman Tyler Kasak, the No. 7 seed at 149, met No. 23 Drew Roberts of Minnesota in the first round of consolation action. Kasak paced the center circle, setting up on offense. He took a serious of quick shots that Roberts scrambled away from. Kasak connected on a shot late in the period and quickly rolled Roberts to his back for three near fall points, opening up a 6-0 lead. He added four more back points as the period ended and led 10-0 after one. Roberts chose down to start the second period and Kasak dominated the action on top. He built his riding time up over 2:00 before Roberts escaped and led 10-1 with 2:34 in time after two. Kasak chose down to start the third period and worked his way to a reversal and a 12-1 lead at 1:40. Roberts answered with an escape and a takedown before the bout ended. Kasak, with riding time, rolled into the second consolation round with a 14-5 major decision.

Penn State was a perfect 10-0 in session two and ended day one with an 18-2 record. The Nittany Lions collected 19.5 bonus points off three majors, seven tech falls and two pins on day one of the tournament.

Action continues on Friday at 12 and 8 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. and 7 p.m. local) and Saturday’s sessions are at 12 and 7 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. and 6 p.m. local). All early sessions are telecast nationally on ESPNU, and all evening sessions are telecast nationally on ESPN.

The 2023-24 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline. Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via X/twitter at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here.

Penn State at 2024 NCAA Championships – Session 2

March 21, 2024 – Kansas City, Mo. – T-Mobile Center

Team Standings (Top three after session 2 at 10:30 p.m. Eastern)

1: PENN STATE – 34.5

2: Iowa – 24.5

2: Iowa State – 24.5

Weight-by-weight agate (RANKINGS LISTED ARE OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT SEED):

125: #1 Braeden Davis, Fr., Belleville, Mich./Dundee

Rd. 1: #33 Tristan Lujan, Michigan State – W, 8-1 dec.

Rd. 2: #17 Brett Ungar, Cornell – W, 2-1 dec.

Qtr: #8 Richard Figueroa, Arizona State – tomorrow

Davis met No. 33 Tristan Lujan in his first bout. Davis got in on a deep single at the 1:22 mark and worked his way into a takedown and a 3-0 lead at 1:08. He controlled the Spartan for the rest of the period and carried the 3-0 lead into the second period. Davis chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-0 lead. Davis turned a solid single into a second takedown to lead 7-0 at :40. Lujan chose down to start the third period and Davis controlled the Spartan for :20 before he escaped to a 7-1 score. Davis held 2:01 in riding time and used that point to cap off an 8-1 win.

See above story for bout-by-bout recap

133: #10 Aaron Nagao, So., La Habra, Calif./Esperanza

Rd. 1: #23 Marlon Yarbrough, Virginia – L, 5-13 maj. dec.

Cn. 1: #26 Kade Moore, Missouri – W, 16-1 (TF; 5:00)

Cn. 2: #24 Julian Chlebove, Arizona State – tomorrow

Nagao took on No. 23 Marlon Yarbrough of Virginia in the first round. Nagao fell behind 3-1 after an early scramble by Yarbrough and then 6-2 after a second Virginia takedown. Nagao worked the center of the mat through the :45 mark and trailed 6-2 after one. Nagao chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 6-3 score. Yarbrough worked through a low double for a third takedown and a 9-3 lead. Nagao chose neutral to start the third period, trailing 9-3, but Yarbrough notched a fourth takedown to lead 12-3. Nagao added a late reversal but dropped into consolation action after the 13-5 loss.

See above story for bout-by-bout recap

141: #2 Beau Bartlett, Sr., Tempe, Ariz./Wyoming Seminary (Pa.)

Rd. 1: #31 Kal Miller, Maryland – W, 6-1 dec.

Rd. 2: #15 Mitch Moore, Rutgers – WBF (5:49)

Qtr: #26 Vance Vombaur, Minnesota – tomorrow

Bartlett took on No. 31 Kal Miller of Maryland in the first round. The duo battled through an even first period, with Bartlett nearly scoring at the end of the period to no avail. With the score tied 0-0, Bartlett chose down to start the second stanza and eventually worked his way to an escape and a 1-0 lead at the 1:17 mark. He carried that lead into the third period. Miller chose down to start the third and worked his way to an escape and a 1-1 tie at the 1:30 mark. Bartlett forced a scramble with a dep shot at the :50 mark. He finished off the takedown, and added two near fall points, with seconds left in the bout to post the 6-1 win.

See above story for bout-by-bout recap

149: #7 Tyler Kasak, Fr., Doylestown, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic

Rd. 1: #26 Jaden Abas, Stanford – L, 2-4 dec.

Cn. 1: #23 Drew Roberts, Minnesota – W, 14-5 maj. dec.

Cn. 2: #9 Ethan Fernandez, Cornell – tomorrow

Kasak met No. 26 Jaden Abas of Stanford in his first match at nationals. Kasak fought off an early Abas shot, scrambling through the 2:00 mark before a stalemate ended things. After a scoreless first period, Kasak chose down to start the second and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Abas worked his way on a deep single and Kasak fought off the move until the :10 mark, but Abas connected on a late double and led 3-1 after two. Abas chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 4-1 lead. Kasak spent the rest of the period working for a takedown. Abas gave up a stall point, but Kasak could not catch him and dropped into consolation action with the 4-2 loss.

See above story for bout-by-bout recap

157: #1 Levi Haines, So., Arendtsville, Pa./Biglerville —

Rd. 1: #32 Isaac Wilcox, Ohio State – W, 17-2 (TF; 7:00)

Rd. 2: #16 Teague Travis, Oklahoma State – W, 19-4 (TF; 6:41)

Qtr: #8 Peyton Robb, Nebraska – tomorrow

Haines took on No. 32 Isaac Wilcox of Ohio State in the first round. Haines took an early 3-1 lead after a quick takedown in the opening seconds of the match. The Lion sophomore used a quick single to notch a second takedown and finished the period on top to lead 6-1 after one. Wilcox chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 6-2 score. Haines notched a third takedown to lead 9-2. He picked up a fourth takedown late and led 12-2 after two. Haines chose down to start the third, escaped to a 13-2 lead and quickly took Wilcox down again to open up a 16-2 lead with cliched riding time. He finished the period on top again and, with riding time, posted the 17-2 technical fall at 7:00.

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165: #2 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Fr., Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead

Rd. 1: #31 Maxx Mayfield, Northwestern – W, 18-2 (TF; 5:32)

Rd. 2: #15 Brevin Cassella, Binghamton – W, 11-3 maj. dec.

Qtr: #10 Cameron Amine, Michigan – tomorrow

Mesenbrink battled No. 31 Maxx Mayfield of Northwestern in the first round. Mesenbrink opened the bout up with two quick takedowns to lead 6-1 early. He added a third takedown late in the period and led 9-2 after one.  Mesenbrink chose down to start the second and escaped to a 10-2 lead. He picked up two stall points and added another takedown to lead 15-2 after two. Mayfield chose neutral to start the third period and Mesenbrink ended things quickly. He took the Wildcat to the mat for a final takedown, posting the 18-2 technical fall at the 5:32 mark.

See above story for bout-by-bout recap

174: #9 Carter Starocci, Sr., Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep

Rd. 1: #24 Andrew Sparks, Minnesota – W, 12-6 dec.

Rd. 2: #8 Adam Kemp, Cal Poly – W, 5-3 dec.

Qtr: #1 Mekhi Lewis, Virginia Tech – tomorrow

Starocci took on No. 24 Andre Sparks in the first round. Starocci took a quick single, but Sparks countered the effort for a takedown and an early 3-1 lead. Starocci immediately worked his way in to a scramble and a takedown. He then turned Sparks to his back for four near fall and led 8-3 with over 1:00 in time after one. Starocci chose neutral to start the second period and took Sparks down at the 1:11 mark to lead 11-4 after two periods. Trailing 11-4, Sparks chose down to start the third period. He escaped and picked up a stall point, but Starocci added a riding time point and moved on with a strong 12-6 win.

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184: #6 Bernie Truax, Gr., Oceanside, Calif./Rancho Buena Vista

Rd. 1: #27 Cameron Pine, Clarion – W, 18-3 (TF; 5:09)

Rd. 2: #11 Colton Hawks, Missouri – W, 4-2 dec.

Qtr: #3 Dustin Plott, Oklahoma State – tomorrow

Truax met No. 27 Cameron Pine of Clarion in the first round. He took the Golden Eagle down quickly and turned him to his back for three nearfall to lead 6-1 out of the gates. Truax took Pine down a second time before the period’s midway point and built his riding time point up over 2:00 with a strong ride. He finished the period on top and led 9-1 with 2:40 in riding time after one.  After a neutral start to the second period, Truax turned a low single into a scramble and a takedown to lead 12-1. He worked his riding time up over 3:00, gave up a penalty point and an escape, then took Pine down once more to lead 15-3 after two. After another neutral start to begin the third, Truax ended the bout with a final takedown, posting the 18-3 tech fall at 5:09.

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197: #1 Aaron Brooks, Sr+., Hagerstown, Pa./North Hagerstown

Rd. 1: #33 Evan Bates, Northwestern – W, 18-4 (TF; 5:24)

Rd. 2: #17 Joseph Novak, Wyoming – WBF (2:20)

Qtr: #8 Stephen Buchanan, Oklahoma – tomorrow

Brooks met No. 33 Evan Bates of Northwestern. Brooks notched a quick takedown after countering a Bates shot, cut the Wildcat loose and then quickly took him down again to lead 6-1 at the 2:00 mark. He finished the period on top and carried that lead with a riding time edge into the second. Brooks escaped to a 7-1 lead to start the middle period. He quickly tacked on two more escapes to lead 13-2 with :50 on the clock. Brooks finished off the period with one more takedown and led 16-2 w/ 2:34 in time after two. Bates chose down to start the third and escaped to a 16-54 score. Brooks finished off the tech fall with a counter takedown, notching the 19-4 tech at the 5:24 mark.

Kerkvliet battled No. 32 Nick Willham of Indiana in Penn State’s final first round bout. The Nittany Lion big man used a lightning fast low single to take a 3-0 lead at 2:05. He then went to work on offense, looking for a turn from the top position. Kerkvliet built up over 1:00 in time, working for near fall. He finished the period on top and led 3-0 with 2:05 in time after one. Kerkvliet chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 4-0 lead. He picked up a quick takedown, cut Willham loose and took him down again to lead 10-2. He notched a fourth takedown and worked his riding time up to 2:58 before cutting Willham loose again. Kerkvliet added a late takedown to lead 16-3 after two. Willham chose neutral to start the final period and Kerkvliet quickly ending things, picking up a final takedown for the 19-3 technical fall at 5:16.

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285: #1 Greg Kerkvliet, Sr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley

Rd. 1: #32 Nick Willham, Indiana – W, 19-3 (TF; 5:16)

Rd. 2: #17 Grady Griess, Navy – W, 9-1 maj. dec.

Qtr: #9 Nick Feldman, Ohio State – tomorrow

See above story for bout-by-bout recap