Penn State @ Black Knight Invitational '25 tournament thread

SleepyLion

All-Conference
Sep 1, 2022
2,164
2,944
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CTStall

Sophomore
Oct 24, 2020
42
112
33

Shayne Van Ness beats Connor Pierce, Duke beats Sealey​

Shayne Van Ness beats teammate Connor Pierce by decision 14-7, in the 149-pound final. In the 157-pound final, freshman PJ Duke beat teammate Joe Sealey by decision, 2-1.
Didn't look good. The debate is whether it's upper or lower body, I think it's arm/elbow/shoulder/hand. He didn't seem to be limping at all.
I was at match near that mat. Looked like wrist or elbow
 
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mcpat

All-Conference
Mar 12, 2021
469
1,353
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All I know is that we have a TRFR who was a high level recruit (low 30s Big Board), but not of a level we are used to seeing be AA level right away, and he just beat the #23, #16 and #1 ranked wrestlers at his weight class in his first collegiate competition early in his freshman season.
 
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Corby2

All-Conference
Jul 14, 2025
1,158
2,338
113
That's what I thought, hand or wrist. Hopefully, it's nothing and he can still go. I'd prefer to keep Davis in redshirt if at all possible.
When your shoulder goes out you use your opposite hand to hold your arm up. He missed last year with a shoulder surgery
 
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CTStall

Sophomore
Oct 24, 2020
42
112
33
I decided to drive up to watch .
A couple of notes on the new guys for those who didn't watch.

Blaze has a little of David Taylor in him. Great at using leverage

Duke is powerful although Sealy gave him all he wanted and didn't deserve the stall call at the end.

Cochran had better chances against Mirasola in first 2 periods. Not much separating them .

Henckel is real solid on his feet. Not overly big and I would think stays at 174 for a couple of years

Cunningham is strong and likes to pound. His father was not in his corner thru the semis

Nagao gives his legs up way to easy. A good wrestler will 3 TD for 1 Escape him . His injury looked to be wrist or elbow. Hurt it when posting with it .

Desmond was very good . People were shocked near where I was sitting when he won. They had no idea of his ability. He actually probably had the better action against Luke. Nate knew Luke's counters. It was a chess match .
 

Headlock

Senior
Dec 28, 2023
306
493
63
I decided to drive up to watch .
A couple of notes on the new guys for those who didn't watch.

Blaze has a little of David Taylor in him. Great at using leverage

Duke is powerful although Sealy gave him all he wanted and didn't deserve the stall call at the end.

Cochran had better chances against Mirasola in first 2 periods. Not much separating them .

Henckel is real solid on his feet. Not overly big and I would think stays at 174 for a couple of years

Cunningham is strong and likes to pound. His father was not in his corner thru the semis

Nagao gives his legs up way to easy. A good wrestler will 3 TD for 1 Escape him . His injury looked to be wrist or elbow. Hurt it when posting with it .

Desmond was very good . People were shocked near where I was sitting when he won. They had no idea of his ability. He actually probably had the better action against Luke. Nate knew Luke's counters. It was a chess match .
Great insights! Thx for sharing.
 
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Headlock

Senior
Dec 28, 2023
306
493
63
I decided to drive up to watch .
A couple of notes on the new guys for those who didn't watch.

Blaze has a little of David Taylor in him. Great at using leverage

Duke is powerful although Sealy gave him all he wanted and didn't deserve the stall call at the end.

Cochran had better chances against Mirasola in first 2 periods. Not much separating them .

Henckel is real solid on his feet. Not overly big and I would think stays at 174 for a couple of years

Cunningham is strong and likes to pound. His father was not in his corner thru the semis

Nagao gives his legs up way to easy. A good wrestler will 3 TD for 1 Escape him . His injury looked to be wrist or elbow. Hurt it when posting with it .

Desmond was very good . People were shocked near where I was sitting when he won. They had no idea of his ability. He actually probably had the better action against Luke. Nate knew Luke's counters. It was a chess match .
Nate knew Luke's counters. It was a chess match . The real value of having a room full of talent where new members can soak in the most effective techniques.
 

a_mshaffer

Sophomore
Dec 8, 2014
121
123
43
anyone know who were all the coaches in the corner. Someone in white I didn't recognize. I did see the official staff - cael, casey, cody, & Nick
 

El_Jefe

All-American
Oct 11, 2021
1,704
5,085
113
Natty #2 !!!!
2 OT winner!!!

Don't tell anyone, but some tears came out of my eyeballs

 

CTStall

Sophomore
Oct 24, 2020
42
112
33
My daughter ran into Desmond in the hallway immediately after the finals match. He was elated. They were given a camo army vest? looking award by by high ranking in uniform officer on the mat. He was holding it and took picture with my daughter. Desmond's father is real good friends with a buddy of mine so I sent picture to be forwarded to Nate's father.
 

Headlock

Senior
Dec 28, 2023
306
493
63
My daughter ran into Desmond in the hallway immediately after the finals match. He was elated. They were given a camo army vest? looking award by by high ranking in uniform officer on the mat. He was holding it and took picture with my daughter. Desmond's father is real good friends with a buddy of mine so I sent picture to be forwarded to Nate's father.
What a thrill beating the number #1 wrestler in the nation.
 
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tullfan68

Junior
Jun 20, 2021
258
249
43
I decided to drive up to watch .
A couple of notes on the new guys for those who didn't watch.

Blaze has a little of David Taylor in him. Great at using leverage

Duke is powerful although Sealy gave him all he wanted and didn't deserve the stall call at the end.

Cochran had better chances against Mirasola in first 2 periods. Not much separating them .

Henckel is real solid on his feet. Not overly big and I would think stays at 174 for a couple of years

Cunningham is strong and likes to pound. His father was not in his corner thru the semis

Nagao gives his legs up way to easy. A good wrestler will 3 TD for 1 Escape him . His injury looked to be wrist or elbow. Hurt it when posting with it .

Desmond was very good . People were shocked near where I was sitting when he won. They had no idea of his ability. He actually probably had the better action against Luke. Nate knew Luke's counters. It was a chess match .
I thought Cochran had it till he didnt!
 

J-007

Redshirt
Nov 1, 2021
5
5
3
anyone know who were all the coaches in the corner. Someone in white I didn't recognize. I did see the official staff - cael, casey, cody, & Nick
When the match was PSU vs PSU there wasn't a coach in the corners. Cody did stay in the corner of mat 3 for most of the finals. Ono was wearing all white warm up suit. Casey didn't corner Asher, but wasn't to far away. Asher was must see. He's going to be a fun ride. He let's guys get to legs and then does all kinds of funky stuff. Azyrof had nothing for Asher.
 
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Matter7172

Junior
Oct 30, 2021
120
343
53
So if 2023 was Davis' coming out party and 2024 Barr's, this year was Desmond's. Always worth the drive. Agree with CSTall's notes above and will add that the "Penn State style" was on display up, down and through the lineup yesterday. Everyone was pushing to score the entire match and looking for "bonus" even though it was a tournament that didn't reward bonus.

Asher, btw, has gotten HUGE.