Penn State wrestling weekend preview: Lions look to keep rolling with matches at Penn, against Lehigh

The Penn State wrestling team returns to the mat this weekend for a pair of matches.

Head coach Cael Sanderson’s No. 2 Nittany Lions travel to the University of Pennsylvania for a 7 p.m. dual Friday night with the Quakers. Then, on Sunday, Lehigh visits Rec Hall for a 2 p.m. matchup.

Penn State enters the weekend at 3-0 after winning at the Journeymen Duals over Sacred Heart and Oregon State before topping Army in the Rec Hall opener late last month.

“We’ve had almost two weeks off as we head into this next weekend,” Sanderson said earlier this week. “Two big matches coming up with UPenn and Lehigh a couple of in-state rivals, teams with a lot of great wrestlers and coaching staff. We got exciting things on the horizon.”

While Penn State seems to have a plan for each weight class, there have been questions at 157 pounds. However, Sanderson put those to rest by saying it is Terrell Barraclough’s job.

“At this point, Terrell earned that spot,” Sanderson said. “Terrell will surprise some people. He’ll be competitive, just give him some time.”

Here’s a breakdown of both dual meets. All rankings courtesy of Intermat.

Friday, 7 pm: Penn State at the University of Pennsylvania

Penn is led by Roger Reina, who is now in his 23rd season at the helm of the Quakers. That total is spread out over two different tenures.

Friday night’s hosts at The Palestra in Philadelphia will be opening their dual meet season. Penn’s 12th-ranked 133-pounder, Michael Colaiocco, took the top spot in the Journeymen Collegiate Wrestling Classic, which was held the Sunday after the team dual meet tournament. Penn also won the 26th Keystone Classic on Nov. 21 at its venue.

A few ranked matchups are expected besides Colaiocco against top-ranked Nittany Lion Roman Bravo-Young at 133 pounds. One could come if No. 28 Carmen Ferrante wrestles No. 1 Nick Lee at 141, though Penn also lists C.J. Composto as a possible starter. It’s the same story at 149, where it will be either No.23 Anthony Artalona or an unranked wrestler against No. 20 Nittany Lion, Beau Bartlett.

At 165, a battle of top-35 ranked wrestlers is set between Creighton Edsell of Penn State and Penn’s Lucas Revano. One weight up, Carter Starocci, who is No. 1 at 174, is expected to take on No. 21 Nick Incontrera.

This match can be viewed with a subscription to ESPN+. Additionally, Jeff Byers’ radio call can be found for free here.

Sunday, 2 pm: Lehigh at PSU

A few ranked showdowns headline this year’s meeting between the Nittany Lions and Mountainhawks. It’s the second match on the schedule for Lehigh, too, which wrestles Lock Haven on Friday.

The bout of the meet should come at heavyweight, where fourth-ranked Greg Kerkvliet should be opposite Lehigh’s 10th-ranked Jordan Wood.

“Greg is a competitor, and last year, he got cleared hours before he stepped into the lineup, and that shows he wants to compete,” Sanderson said. “He’s one of those guys that, every match, he wants to get better. He likes to work on technique and different positions. We’ve seen him working on top. He’s great on his feet and has a lot of experience there. We want to go into these matches with the mindset that we want to practice competing the way we want to compete at the end.

“Consistency is key, but everyone wants to win. More importantly, we’re trying to improve and do the little things, competing with the enthusiasm and the mentality that we’re going to get better every match, and I think Greg is an example of that. He has some good matches this weekend, as does everyone.”

At 133 pounds, Bravo-Young will see another ranked foe in Malyke Hines, who checks in at No. 22. At 165, Edsell will take on No. 27 Brian Meyer.

This matchup will be streamed on BTN+. Radio coverage will again be provided for free on the Penn State Sports Network.