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Josh Barr injury update: How did the Penn State 197-pounder do in his first match at nationals?

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel03/20/25GregPickel
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Penn State wrestler Joshua Barr celebrates his 3-2 win over Michigan's Jacob Cardenas. (Pickel/BWI)

Penn State redshirt freshman Josh Barr took the mat for his first match at the NCAA Wrestling Championships after suffering a left leg injury at Big Tens. The 197-pound Nittany Lion took on No. 29 Tucker Hogan of Lehigh and won by major decision, 9-1.

Barr, who wrestled with a wrap or sleeve under his singlet that covered his left thigh or hamstring, but had no limp or other noticeable issues. He scored a first period takedown and tacked on a third period escape, takedown, and stalling point to reach the margin of victory.

It was Barr’s first match since he suffered a setback in a consolation semifinal at the Big Ten tournament. He hurt his left leg early in the first period of a match with Minnesota’s Isaiah Salazar and tried to continue. But, once he was taken down, he asked for the match to be stopped. He was later helped off the mat by Penn State staff members and then medically forfeited his final match at the conference tournament, as well.

“Josh has been working really hard,” Lions coach Cael Sanderson said earlier this week. “And, we’ve got Dan Monthley as our trainer. I can’t imagine there’s a better trainer in the world. He’s put a lot of time and effort in. Josh is going to be ready to scrap on Thursday. He’s looking good.”

He looked good, indeed, to kick off his first national tournament.

Barr will face ABC123 tonight in the second round.

More Penn State updates from the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships

Before Barr’s match, Penn State was 8-0 to start the tournament. Between 125 and 184 pounds, the Lions racked up three pins, three near falls, a major decision, and a decision in the first round. Here are the latest results:

125 pounds: No. 1 Luke Lilledahl, PSU TF. No. 32 Marcelli Milani, Cornell, 19-4 (4:24)

133 pounds: No. 8 Braeden Davis, Penn State md. No. 25 Kurt Phipps, Bucknell, 12-4

141 pounds: No. 2 Beau Bartlett, PSU d. No. 31 Jordan Titus, West Virginia, 4-2

149 pounds: No. 3 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State F No. 30 Gabe Willochell, Wyoming, 4:11

157 pounds: No. 1 Tyler Kasak, PSU F No. 32 Landon Johnson, Northern Illinois, 1:38

165 pounds: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State TF No. 33 Chandler Amaker, Central Michigan, 16-0 (3:32)

174 pounds: No. 2 Levi Haines, PSU F No. 31 Branson John, Maryland (2:46)

184 pounds: No. 1 Carter Starocci, Penn State TF No. 32 Caden Rogers, Lehigh, 18-2 (6:19)

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