Has Penn State wrestling found its 125-pound fix in freshman Braeden Davis?
Nico Megaludis capped his impressive college wrestling career by winning his first NCAA title to end the 2015-2016 season. Ever since, Penn State wrestling has been searching for someone who can reach the sport’s pinnacle in the 125-pound weight class. Have the Lions finally found what they have been looking for?
Head coach Cael Sanderson has tried many options over the last handful of years. He’s had high school stars. Transfers with proven track records at the collegiate level. And just about everything in between. There have been scorers at nationals and wrestlers who picked up big dual meet wins. But, no Nittany Lion has reached All-American status at the weight since Jordan Conaway did so in 2016-2017. Braeden Davis aims to change that. The four-time Michigan State champ and Penn State freshman looks to be the next man up at 125 pounds as the Lions prep for the second half of their season to start on Friday at Oregon State (8 p.m., PAC 12 Network Oregon). Returner Robbie Howard looked prime to take the job before the season began after he missed the last two seasons due to injury. But, he hasn’t locked up the spot, and fellow program veterans Gary Steen and Marco Vespa haven’t either. Thus, it looks to be Davis’ turn to try and do so.
“I think Davis has done a really good job,” Lions coach Cael Sanderson said Tuesday. The freshman is off to an 8-0 start at the collegiate level.
Meet Penn State freshman Braeden Davis
Davis was extremely accomplished at the prep level. Besides winning four Michigan state titles, he was a multi-time Fargo freestyle champ and top recruit in the Class of 2023. He has quickly fit in to the Penn State wrestling room while awaiting whatever opportunity might come his way in year one.
“My first two months of colleg wrestling have just been a lot of getting better, that’s for sure,” Davis said Tuesday. “A lot of improvement every single day. So, it’s just really nice to be here, to have these coaches, because I’m confident in them and everything I need they give it to me.”
Penn State appears to have now given him a starting spot. And, it hopes he can run with it to the best finishing spot possible at Big Tens and nationals. His first test comes Friday night in Corvallis against No. 13 Brandon Kaylor. Davis will put his undefeated mark on the line in hopes of earning a win and pushing forward in his first-year pursuit of the best season possible while giving the Lions a long-awaited boost at 125.
