The Match: Michigan at Penn State (Wrestling)
Here it is - potentially the most prominent matchup in all of NCAA wrestling this year.
The 7-0 Michigan Wolverines travel to the Bryce Jordan Center to take on No. 1 ranked Penn State.
To get a good look at this matchup, let’s peek at how each school fares in each weight class matchup.
Projected at 125: Gary Steen vs. No. 23 Jack Medley
To lead off, Gary Steen has a great challenge ahead of him if he wants to keep his starting position at the Nittany Lions 125.
In his previous meet against Wisconsin, Steen started off strong with a quick takedown against No. 6 Eric Barnett. However, that strong start diminished quickly as Barnett began his attack and never looked back, scoring a tech fall.
Medley’s previous matchup was also against Eric Barnett. Medley’s match went much more in his favor.
Medley’s defensive tactics put Barnett in a quick bind, and Medley’s capitalization in an advantageous position allowed him to gain control and run away with the match with a 12-6 upset victory.
Steen needs to absorb coach Cael Sandersons’ teachings if he wants to have a chance at victory.
Projected at 133: No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young vs No. 12 Dylan Ragusin
Roman Bravo Young continues his dominance at 133 with a 7-0 record this season.
His second Big Ten matchup will be his hardest yet this season, as Bravo-Young is matched up against a speedy opponent in Dylan Ragusin
Most fans will chalk this one up as “just another win for RBY.” But don’t be fooled, this matchup at 133 is very important for the meet.
If the Michigan Man steals a win from under RBY’s nose, it could provide the Wolverines with the momentum needed to win the meet.
Projected at 141: No. 4 Beau Bartlett vs. No. 23 Cole Mattin
A classic representation of strength versus speed.
Beau Bartlett continues to keep his presence felt as he stacks win after win in every meet he’s competed in this season.
Cole Mattin will present a unique challenge for the young sophomore.
When Mattin shoots for a takedown, you better not blink, because he comes fast and commits to any opening you give him.
Bartlett on the other hand is a slower, more patient wrestler. Bartlett uses his strength and stocky build very well to hold a strong defensive position.
The sophomore’s offensive capabilities have come a long way already since his freshman year.
If Bartlett doesn’t fall behind, once he establishes control of the match his massive strength advantage can be utilized.
Projected at 149: No. 14 Shayne Van Ness vs. No. 21 Chance Lamer
This match represents one of two swing matchups during the meet.
Shayne Van Ness is a redshirt freshman who has provided much-needed stability at 149 for Penn State.
Van Ness’s primary strength is his top game. Once he’s on you, he scrambles like a vulture to capitalize.
In his latest matchup, Van Ness lost to Wisconsin’s Austin Gomez 5-2 with a last-second takedown.
Chance Lamer had a rough outing last Saturday against Gomez.
Lamer couldn’t crack the code of Gomez’s relentless assault. Luckily for Lamer, Van Ness does not yet hold the offensive capabilities of Gomez.
If Lamer is prepared, this matchup should be neck-and-neck. Expect a myriad of points as two aggressive wrestlers clash on the mat.
Projected at 157: No. 17 Levi Haines vs. No. 10 Will Lewan
It is unclear if Haines will be starting in tomorrow’s matchup. Assuming he gets the start against Michigan, the true freshman is seeking to get a big win for the Nittany Lions.
Will Lewan has been consistently great but hasn’t been able to break the mold by defeating a top-5 pponent.
Lewan is equipped with more experience and a higher pedigree, so he has the edge when it comes to a pound-for-pound comparison.
Haines has a shot here to show what he’s truly capable of. At 13-1 on the season, the sky's the limit for Haines’s potential.
Projected at 165: Matt Lee vs. No. 5 Cameron Amine
Matt Lee is a fine wrestler. Unfortunately, at Penn State being a “fine” wrestler means you’re a hole in their starting lineup.
Cameron Amine holds a 7-1 record and continues to follow the path of his older cousin and Wolverine legend, Myles Amine.
Cameron Amine is stronger, faster, and has more experience than Lee.
Lee should play with a defensive mindset to mitigate points scored against. If Lee wants to win this matchup, he’s going to have to wait for an opening or mistake made by Amine.
That outcome is unlikely to happen.
Projected at 174: No. 1 Carter Starrocchi vs. Max Maylor
As 174 rolls around, we get into the strength of the Penn State lineup.
Get ready, No. 1 at 174 Carter Starrocchi will face off against Max Maylor.
Starrocchi is a must-watch for any wrestling fan. He is nearly a superhuman; he has speed, quickness, technique, strength and can dominate from both the top and bottom positions.
Starrocchi is superior in neutral, top and bottom. It's never fun to predict a blood bath, but that’s what’s going to happen.
Good luck, Max Maylor.
Projected at 184: No. 1 Aaron Brooks vs. No. 9 Matt Finesilver
Brooks dominated Wisconsin’s Tyler Dow last week 16-0.
Brooks is so good, the standard isn’t even winning anymore. Brooks continues to get tech falls and major decisions on a consistent basis.
This bout, however, will not be one of those cases.
Matt Finesilver replaced the legendary Myles Amine at Michigan's 184 slot. He’s a gritty wrestler and his strength at neutral position makes him tough to score points on.
There is an outside shot that Finesilver puts on the performance of his life and dethrones Brooks.
184 will remain an interesting matchup to watch when these two teams clash.
Projected at 197: No. 4 Max Dean vs. Brendin Yatooma
Max Dean is the definition of hard work pays off.
In his junior season in 2022, Dean finally won a long-awaited NCAA championship.
Yatooma held his own last week against Wisconsin’s Braxton Amos, losing 4-0. He has the physical tools to put it together, but has been having trouble translating his wrestling into wins.
Yatooma will struggle mightily against Dean.
Projected at HWT: No. 1 Greg Kerkvleit vs. No. 2 Mason Parris
Finally, the match we’ve all been waiting for.
Yes, the ticket is worth it for just this one alone - Greg Kerkvliet and Mason Parris collide for the third time.
Kerkvliet is 3-0 against Parris, defeating him in the 2022 season, Big Ten championship and NCAA championship.
Their rivalry will take the stage for the fourth time, so there shouldn’t be any surprises.
Both Parris and Kerkvliet do many things well, so it’s a matter of who makes the right technical decisions on the mat to see who will win.
My guess is the winner will win by a margin of 1-2 points.
Antonio Fondacaro is a sophomore studying broadcast journalism. To contact him, email adf5400@psu.edu.
