Penn State wrestling wins 1,000th all-time match in triumph over Rutgers: Takeaways
Penn State wrestling has hit a new milestone in its already outstanding history. The No. 1 Nittany Lions won their 1,000th all-time match on Monday night. They took out Rutgers 35-3 in front of a big crowd at the Bryce Jordan Center. Here are our takeaways from the match.
Lions keep racking up the wins
Penn State won dual meet No. 999 all-time in last Friday’s blowout victory at Iowa. It scored triumph No. 1000 in program lore by dominating the Scarlet Knights. The opponent, date and time of the match, and incoming winter weather kept the BJC from being sold out as it usually is when head coach Cael Sanderson’s team leaves Rec Hall to wrestle across campus. But, it was still a solid crowd that witnessed history. Besides the program milestone, the program also picked up its 54th consecutive dual meet victory. Sanderson won his 201st match in State College. And, the 2023-2024 team improved to 10-0 on the year and 7-0 in the Big Ten. It can clinch the conference regular season title by beating Nebraska next Sunday back at Rec Hall. That match is set for 4 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
Backups bump up and shine
Penn State was without two backups at a pair of key weight classes. It shined at both of them. With top-ranked Carter Starocci not in action at 174 pounds, Terrell Barraclough bumped up from 165 and beat No. 13 Jackson Turley by decision, 4-2. Then, at heavyweight, 197-pounder Lucas Cochran bumped up for a sick Greg Kerkvliet and pummeled No. 8 Yara Slavikouski 8-3. It was an impressive night for both Nittany Lions who could shine elsewhere but instead fill in for Penn State when needed and are key backups otherwise.
Penn State-Rutgers box score
125 pounds: No. 2 Braeden Davis, Penn State d. No. 19 Dean Peterson, Rutgers, 4-1 SV (PSU 3, RU 0)
133 pounds: No. 10 Dylan Shawver, RU d. No. 6 Aaron Nagao, Penn State, 9-6 SV (PSU 3, RU 3)
141 pounds: No. 1 Beau Bartlett, PSU d. Max Hermes, Rutgers, 4-1 (PSU 6, RU 3)
149 pounds: No. 10 Tyler Kasak, PSU d. No. 26 Michael Cetta, RU, 7-5 (PSU 9, RU 3)
157 pounds: No. 1 Levi Haines, PSU WBF Dylan Weaver, RU, 1:32 (PSU 15, RU 3
165 pounds: No. 7 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State d. Anthony White, RU 18-3 6:51 (PSU 20, RU 3)
174 pounds: Terrell Barraclough, Penn State d. No. 13 Jackson Turley, RU, 4-3 (PSU 23, RU 3)
184 pounds: No. 6 Bernie Truax, PSU d. Sean Cartagena-Walsh, Rutgers, 7-0 (PSU 26, RU 3)
197 pounds: No. 1 Aaron Brooks, Penn State WBF Michael Toranzo, RU, 1:45 (PSU 32-3)
285 pounds: Lucas Cochran, PSU d. No. 8 Yara Slavikouski, Rutgers, 8-3 (PSU 35, RU 3)
