Penn State - Maryland '26 Match Thread

PSU Mike

All-American
Jul 28, 2001
3,715
6,380
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I’m thinking Duke is redshirted next year with Kasak at 157, and the next year after Mesenbrink graduates, one of Duke or Kasak moves up to 165.
Kasak still at 70kg. Somebody will have to man 174 among Henckel, James, Duke or Mesenbrink (who else?). Somebody who may not want to cut much a year before trying to make 74kg for 2028 Games — in addition to whoever goes 165.
 
Jun 3, 2025
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What did Carol Burnett call it?

 

Misalorales

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2025
390
1,162
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Kasak still at 70kg. Somebody will have to man 174 among Henckel, James, Duke or Mesenbrink (who else?). Somebody who may not want to cut much a year before trying to make 74kg for 2028 Games — in addition to whoever goes 165.
I guess in theory you could redshirt duke and James and then slot them 165-174 for years to come. Let henckel get a year in when you return 9 starters anyways ..I don't expect that but wouldn't hate it.
 

Potterlion

Junior
Jan 25, 2011
100
321
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Question from a non-wrestler. How do you defend the takedown after PSU lets you out but stays close and knocks your head to the mat. I seriously don’t know how you don’t just get taken down again and again

If you're a 149 pound, strength-trained athlete who can't get off the mat because someone has his hand on the back of your head, you aren't going to win many wrestling matches. The answer is that you simply get up. It wasn't just Shayne Van Ness and Young, it was several other Maryland guys as well, who simply didn't look like they wanted to be released. They knew that if they were simply ridden out that they stood a chance of stalling on bottom and avoiding back points or a pin, whereas if they were released, they were going to be taken down again.....quickly. The answer to your question is that those kids weren't prevented from escaping by the PSU wrestlers, they just didn't want to get up (which is why they were hit a couple of times with stall calls when they did it if I recall correctly).

It's also fairly interesting that it's pretty well accepted or believed that PSU "trained through" this week and that as such, the coaches were trying to stress them to the point of exhaustion on the mat, but that's not what happened in reality. Yeah, a couple of PSU guys looked a bit tired at the ends of their matches this weekend, but the Maryland guys looked like death in a few of those matches and not all in the final seconds or minute. Carter Young and Van Ness was the most obvious, but there were a couple of other matches where the Maryland guy was just done.....completely done.
 
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PUR158

Senior
Feb 11, 2025
206
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While the announcers on these things are good for a laugh, I look at it from the other side and it makes me realize how much prep and reps a pro like Shane Sparks had to have put in to perform like he does. Young guys on BIG+ finding their way. Maybe in 10 years we will get to hear some of them after they have dialed it in.
I had to rematch the SVN match and on one takedown in the 3rd the announcer said "Van Ness Vipers in". That is some "going withe the gusto" top tier content.
 

Potterlion

Junior
Jan 25, 2011
100
321
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Still not much discussion about Mesenbrink engaging with the ref after the stoppage for potentially dangerous. I think someone mentioned that it did look like he was explaining how the arm got twisted past 90 degrees or something, but it was simply hysterical that he wanted to engage, to explain himself and the ref had to say, "OK, yeah, whatever, now get back over there". Mitchell is apparently SO quirky and odd and I say that in a completely respectful way. I can absolutely imagine that a guy would positively HATE to wrestle him, not only for the ***-beating that he'd likely take, but also for the constant chatting and what-not. Hysterical....
 

mcpat

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Mar 12, 2021
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This year’s team best exemplifies the “score points” aggressive wrestling style, up and down the lineup, of any under Cael.
 

johnstownsteel

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Jun 3, 2025
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That's Davis to a T. Had the opportunity for a TF and couldn't do it.
Do we know this for sure? Wayne from BEG was ranting on his BEG facebook page but he contends Davis looked over and the coaches directed to cut the kid. Wayne's upset that the coaches weren't aware Breaden had the tech. I personally think he's wrong. And I also don't think Breaden wasn't aware he had the tech either.

Our coaching staff are like mad scientists. I'll bet you at nationals Breaden is gonna need to cut a kid and get a td in short time to win a match. In my opinion, this is what the coaches were working on and don't give a **** the difference between a MD and Tech in a dual like this. Kind of a screenshot of Caels, " It's all about the preperation. People always talking about PSUs secret sauce..... maybe this was a glimpse of something other coaching staffs dont focus on while Cael considers a big deal in getting ready for March.
 

PAHURDLER

Junior
Oct 17, 2001
59
265
53
While the announcers on these things are good for a laugh, I look at it from the other side and it makes me realize how much prep and reps a pro like Shane Sparks had to have put in to perform like he does. Young guys on BIG+ finding their way. Maybe in 10 years we will get to hear some of them after they have dialed it in.

I was the official announcer at the 2007 Big Ten Championship in track (held at PSU) as well as one of two collegiate event announcers at the Penn Relays that year. Granted I was 25 at the time and no longer a college kid, but yes it does take a good number of reps and solid prep (easiest if you’re just a huge nerd fan of the sport like I was for track and for wrestling) to be fluid and effective.

Cocaine Shane is just so solid and his enthusiasm bleeds through the microphone. Always love his calls.
 
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Random4598375

Senior
Jan 10, 2020
284
854
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Do we know this for sure? Wayne from BEG was ranting on his BEG facebook page but he contends Davis looked over and the coaches directed to cut the kid. Wayne's upset that the coaches weren't aware Breaden had the tech. I personally think he's wrong. And I also don't think Breaden wasn't aware he had the tech either.

Our coaching staff are like mad scientists. I'll bet you at nationals Breaden is gonna need to cut a kid and get a td in short time to win a match. In my opinion, this is what the coaches were working on and don't give a **** the difference between a MD and Tech in a dual like this. Kind of a screenshot of Caels, " It's all about the preperation. People always talking about PSUs secret sauce..... maybe this was a glimpse of something other coaching staffs dont focus on while Cael considers a big deal in getting ready for March.
I agree with this. There wasn’t a chance in hell the match was going to hang in the balance where that one team point was going to matter. I think they prioritized an exhausted Davis working on getting one last TD in short time over one team point in a 51-0 match.
 

railbirrd

Sophomore
Nov 1, 2003
70
131
33
Do we know this for sure? Wayne from BEG was ranting on his BEG facebook page but he contends Davis looked over and the coaches directed to cut the kid. Wayne's upset that the coaches weren't aware Breaden had the tech. I personally think he's wrong. And I also don't think Breaden wasn't aware he had the tech either.

Our coaching staff are like mad scientists. I'll bet you at nationals Breaden is gonna need to cut a kid and get a td in short time to win a match. In my opinion, this is what the coaches were working on and don't give a **** the difference between a MD and Tech in a dual like this. Kind of a screenshot of Caels, " It's all about the preperation. People always talking about PSUs secret sauce..... maybe this was a glimpse of something other coaching staffs dont focus on while Cael considers a big deal in getting ready for March.
Perhaps this is what Nick and Cody were laughing about (an earlier post mentioned)
 

Dren007

Junior
Feb 19, 2012
132
259
63
If you're a 149 pound, strength-trained athlete who can't get off the mat because someone has his hand on the back of your head, you aren't going to win many wrestling matches. The answer is that you simply get up. It wasn't just Shayne Van Ness and Young, it was several other Maryland guys as well, who simply didn't look like they wanted to be released. They knew that if they were simply ridden out that they stood a chance of stalling on bottom and avoiding back points or a pin, whereas if they were released, they were going to be taken down again.....quickly. The answer to your question is that those kids weren't prevented from escaping by the PSU wrestlers, they just didn't want to get up (which is why they were hit a couple of times with stall calls when they did it if I recall correctly).

It's also fairly interesting that it's pretty well accepted or believed that PSU "trained through" this week and that as such, the coaches were trying to stress them to the point of exhaustion on the mat, but that's not what happened in reality. Yeah, a couple of PSU guys looked a bit tired at the ends of their matches this weekend, but the Maryland guys looked like death in a few of those matches and not all in the final seconds or minute. Carter Young and Van Ness was the most obvious, but there were a couple of other matches where the Maryland guy was just done.....completely done.
This is true and I'm glad they were calling it. It did seem like a tactic by the MD squad in general to waste some time. However if you are playing the catch and release bit just push the guy away and be clear of him. I understand you are still accumulating riding time but that is not the intent. As long as you keep contact the ref isn't going to issue the escape.
 

Dren007

Junior
Feb 19, 2012
132
259
63
Do we know this for sure? Wayne from BEG was ranting on his BEG facebook page but he contends Davis looked over and the coaches directed to cut the kid. Wayne's upset that the coaches weren't aware Breaden had the tech. I personally think he's wrong. And I also don't think Breaden wasn't aware he had the tech either.

Our coaching staff are like mad scientists. I'll bet you at nationals Breaden is gonna need to cut a kid and get a td in short time to win a match. In my opinion, this is what the coaches were working on and don't give a **** the difference between a MD and Tech in a dual like this. Kind of a screenshot of Caels, " It's all about the preperation. People always talking about PSUs secret sauce..... maybe this was a glimpse of something other coaching staffs dont focus on while Cael considers a big deal in getting ready for March.
MM could have used the science in his first final. Clearly didn't realize the situation. Maybe the staff was telling him and he was so exhausted and amped up he didn't get it. That was a shame, MM could have very well been the next undefeated 4 time champ.
 
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amattaro

All-Conference
Sep 12, 2017
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I was the official announcer at the 2007 Big Ten Championship in track (held at PSU) as well as one of two collegiate event announcers at the Penn Relays that year. Granted I was 25 at the time and no longer a college kid, but yes it does take a good number of reps and solid prep (easiest if you’re just a huge nerd fan of the sport like I was for track and for wrestling) to be fluid and effective.

Cocaine Shane is just so solid and his enthusiasm bleeds through the microphone. Always love his calls.
Definitely need a link. Probably wore nothing but a headset and jockstrap.
 
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mcpat

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Mar 12, 2021
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This is true and I'm glad they were calling it. It did seem like a tactic by the MD squad in general to waste some time. However if you are playing the catch and release bit just push the guy away and be clear of him. I understand you are still accumulating riding time but that is not the intent. As long as you keep contact the ref isn't going to issue the escape.
I think the thought is when his opponent forces his head up, Shayne lets go and shoots right away as his opponent is upright and not in a good defensive stance from forcing his head up.
 
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HOA242n!

Sophomore
Aug 18, 2025
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I was the official announcer at the 2007 Big Ten Championship in track (held at PSU) as well as one of two collegiate event announcers at the Penn Relays that year. Granted I was 25 at the time and no longer a college kid, but yes it does take a good number of reps and solid prep (easiest if you’re just a huge nerd fan of the sport like I was for track and for wrestling) to be fluid and effective.

Cocaine Shane is just so solid and his enthusiasm bleeds through the microphone. Always love his calls.
One of my neighbors is the commentator for men's basketball and volleyball for local U, and also does some sports show on local TV. I had no idea what he did for a living until my stepfather came to our neighborhood BBQ and freaked out (he's an obsessive fan of local U basketball team). Super nice guy, but he is always on - Shane Sparks-esque 24/7. He also has a teenage daughter that is his clone. They're a hoot to hang out with, but sometimes it's a little much.
 
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Wrestleknownothing

All-Conference
Oct 30, 2021
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Do we know this for sure? Wayne from BEG was ranting on his BEG facebook page but he contends Davis looked over and the coaches directed to cut the kid. Wayne's upset that the coaches weren't aware Breaden had the tech. I personally think he's wrong. And I also don't think Breaden wasn't aware he had the tech either.

Our coaching staff are like mad scientists. I'll bet you at nationals Breaden is gonna need to cut a kid and get a td in short time to win a match. In my opinion, this is what the coaches were working on and don't give a **** the difference between a MD and Tech in a dual like this. Kind of a screenshot of Caels, " It's all about the preperation. People always talking about PSUs secret sauce..... maybe this was a glimpse of something other coaching staffs dont focus on while Cael considers a big deal in getting ready for March.
Davis looked toward the Maryland bench right before cutting him. Not sure if there was a clock or scoreboard in that direction.

I think he didn't realize the stall gave him the tech. When he got the TD he seemed to know he was up 13 with a RT point coming, so he tried to turn him (40 secs left). After not getting the turn the stall is called for a 14 point lead (23 secs), then he glances over his shoulder (19 secs), then he cuts him (17 secs).

In the heat of battle with seconds to go and no obvious action (by definition) leading to a point, it is pretty understandable if he lost track. Or maybe he glanced at the score and the stall point wasn't up yet (it was about 4 secs) and decided to cut him.
 

Bosco2

All-Conference
Feb 27, 2002
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great day so far ... Left Richmond, picked up kid in NoVa, and made it to the match just before doors opened. On a good note, I made it home without any snow. Our real threat here is the rain in 15 degree weather that is supposed to hit early AM. Regardless... cool to see the guys up close and personal. Most HS gyms are larger, I sat behind Ironhead but didn't hear a word he might have said. At least 9 to 1 PSU fans if not more.
LL - no worries
MB - told my son that he was probably wrestling MD's best kid...
Scooter - who says he doesn't have any O?
SVN - I think he is simply out there having fun trying things. Only issue I have isn't with the stalling calls but ensuring the opponent has escaped. If so, then I support all those stalling calls - have to improve position. Just make sure you're giving the bottom guy room to breath before giving the escape.
PJ - bad dude. Just think what next year will be let alone the rest of this one
MM - just pure pleasure to watch. Conversations, smiles, etc. Not wanting the Tech made me think the team must have some good contests going on
Levi - next topic
Rocco - I like him shooting both sides
Josh - met expectations
CM - really like to see him turn the corner more on shots to get ready for the heavies.

Overall this was great. Will have to review the match and see if I can see myself and now, after reading this thread, listen to the announcers. I saw them across the way all dressed up in shirt and ties. IronHead had a ski cap on :)
Ficker was there with a flag. He seems to have calmed down and was actually funny. He was keeping an eye on our bench and coaches - prob trying to get a reaction. Couple of funny comments: "you're better looking.."; "he's just laying on top of you..."
Ficker had a great comment a couple of years ago that cracked me up: "you have better tattoos"
 

Potterlion

Junior
Jan 25, 2011
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I think the thought is when his opponent forces his head up, Shayne lets go and shoots right away as his opponent is upright and not in a good defensive stance from forcing his head up.

Typically, a good ref allows the defensive wrestler to clear from the offensive wrestler and face him. If he doesn't defend himself after being awarded an escape, that's entirely on him. Admittedly, Mitch, Shayne et al have a way of completely debilitating an opponent, but.......
 
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a_mshaffer

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Dec 8, 2014
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I think the thought is when his opponent forces his head up, Shayne lets go and shoots right away as his opponent is upright and not in a good defensive stance from forcing his head up.
That’s my point of ensuring of an escape waiting for clear non control or, waiting for opponent to get completely free. Otherwise I agree with the stall calls