Penn State wrestling picks: Recent stars, the biggest moment of late, key question to answer this week, and more

We know it feels strange, Penn State wrestling fans. But, it’s also true: The Lions are not in action this weekend.

Head coach Cael Sanderson’s team would certainly love to take the mat if a dual was scheduled. However, a packed early portion of the 2022 schedule has led the program to this chance for a breather in mid-February.

Since Big Ten action began back on Jan. 7, Penn State has had at least one match every Friday or Sunday up until now. On three of those instances, they competed both days.

“They kind of loaded us up there, I think, and then give us the weekend off at the end,” Sanderson told reporters after the Lions beat Nebraska to clinch the Big Ten regular season dual crown last Sunday.

“We just make the most of it. I don’t have a real strong opinion on it. If we had a match, that’d be fine. If no match, we’ll take advantage of it.”

We know Penn State fans wish their team was wrestling this weekend. However, to hold you over until the final dual of the regular season opposite Rider next Sunday (2 p.m., BTN+), we picked out some superlatives and moments to relive below, plus a big question to answer. Note that our timeframe for these selections stretches from the Iowa win back on Jan. 28 through last Sunday.

Three stars

1. Aaron Brooks

Brooks continues to be the glue in Penn State’s lineup. Ever since missing a couple of matches earlier in the season, the defending NCAA champ has been an absolute hammer for the Nittany Lions during the Big Ten portion of the schedule. He won by decision at Iowa to help put his team in position to win the dual. Then, a weekend later, he won by fall over Ohio State’s Rocky Jordan and then by major decision against Nebraska’s No. 9 Taylor Venz. There is simply no other choice for the top spot. 

2. Roman Bravo-Young

If you were going to make the argument to have someone besides Brooks up top, it would be RBY. The 133-pounder has been stellar of late. He beat the nation’s No. 3 wrestler at his weight class, Austin DeSanto, in a tight decision, 3-2. Then, he secured wins by pin and technical fall opposite the Cornhuskers and Buckeyes.

3. Drew Hildebrandt

Penn State has clearly improved at 125 pounds with Hildebrandt on board. His big win over this stretch of duals came against Ohio State, when he beat No. 10 Malik Heinselman 2-0. Hildebrandt also had a bonus-point win against Iowa (by major decision over Jesse Ybarra) and a decision victory opposite Nebraska.

Key moment

The choice this month focuses on how a starter turned backup helped Penn State secure its eighth Big Ten regular-season dual meet crown since 2012.

Brady Berge joined the Nittany Lions again at the start of the spring semester. That meant first-half starter Creighton Edsell would head to the bench. But, the Lion persevered despite the obvious obstacle and kept working in the room with Berge and others.

That paid off when Edsell was called upon to take on Tahjae Jenkins-Taylor of Nebraska with Berge sidelined to work on his conditioning. Edsell won, 9-2, to give Penn State three needed team points en route to a 21-13 final and another set of Big Ten title merchandise.

Best Penn State highlight

This honor goes to Max Dean for his effort at Iowa.

No. 2 Dean was trailing No. 4 Jacob Warner 3-0 to start the third period. After choosing the down position, he escaped and then forced a stalling caution on Warner that was worth a point to the Lion.

A quick takedown gave Dean his first lead of the match at 4-3. He then hit his signature bow and arrow move for a four-point turn that led to an 8-3 decision victory. It gave Penn State an insurmountable 19-10 lead in the team race to cement another win over Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 

Biggest Penn State questions heading into the week

What will the lineup look like against Rider?

The Broncs have just one ranked wrestler, 141-pounder Quinn Kinner, and were 2-8 entering a double-dual weekend at George Mason and at Drexel.

In other words, they will come to Rec Hall a week from today and compete. But, Penn State should not feel forced to wrestle anyone who may need extra time off before the individual postseason begins.

Thus, we’re curious about how things will unfold at a few weights.

Will Brady Berge be back at 165?

What about Carter Starocci at 174? Both missed last weekend’s wins.

Then, Max Dean was hurt against Ohio State and held out opposite Nebraska. Will he return to the lineup at 197?

Finally, heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet was said to be fine following his match with the Cornhuskers, but he had a bit of a limp at the end. We’ll see if the weekend off was enough to keep him in action.

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