Wrestling: Penn State Takes Down Michigan State at Rec Hall

posted February 15, 2019 in CommRadio, Sports by Ryan Simpson

Penn State (11-0, 6-0) hosted a hungry Michigan State (9-6, 3-4) Friday as both teams sent out a new mix of wrestlers while some starters got a day of rest. Penn State looked to continue their 56-duel winning streak as the Spartans looked to keep their momentum in Big Ten competition.

Devin Schnupp versus Rayvon Foley

Devin Schnupp and Rayvon Foley started the evening off at 125 pounds for another packed Rec Hall audience. Foley started off the scoring with an early takedown as he rode out the first period. Schnupp scored a takedown in the second period, but Foley stayed strong and countered with two of his own.

Foley had one win already against Schnupp, as the two squared off last January where Foley was victorious by a final of 6-2. Foley went on to win by major decision Friday by a final of 14-5 with close to four minutes of riding time as Michigan State took an early 4-0 lead.

Scott Stossel versus Anthony Tutolo

Scott Stossel took over for Roman Bravo-Young tonight at 133 pounds, as Bravo-Young was potentially being rested from a leg injury he sustained against Purdue. Anthony Tutolo still took care of business for the Spartans as he worked Stossel. Stossel had Tutolo’s legs as the two battled for points in the second, but Tutolo turned the corner to earn the takedown.

Tutolo scored one more takedown and won by decision with a 4-1 final. Stossel has been impressive in duel competition even without managing a victory; Michigan State’s lead extended to 7-0 over the Nittany Lions.

Nick Lee versus Austin Eicher

At 141 pounds, Austin Eicher was off of the heels of Nick Lee’s biggest collegiate win at Ohio State last week. Lee’s win over then second ranked Joey McKenna bumped Lee into the number two spot by FloWrestling and Lee carried that number two ranking into his match with Eicher.

Lee simply outclassed Eicher, scoring takedown after takedown as the only offense Eicher got in was when Lee started the second period in the down position. Lee was triumphant over Eicher by major decision to put Penn State on the board as the score was now 7-4, still in the Spartans favor. 

Jarod Verkleeren versus

Jarod Verkleeren is looking to earn the starting job at 149 pounds as the Big Ten Tournament approaches. Coming out and looking to win big, Verkleeren took Jaden Enriquez down twice in the first period as he commanded the pace.

Enriquez caught a wild finger to the eye in the second period, as there was a brief stoppage so Enriquez could recover. Verkleeren then proceeded to get one final takedown to seal a 12-3 victory and give the Nittany Lions the lead 8-7.

Jason Nolf versus Jacob Tucker

Jason Nolf continued his path of destruction in the 157 pound division and Jacob Tucker was next. Nolf did have the home faithful stunned for a few seconds as Tucker managed to get a takedown of his own.

Nolf did not give Tucker a second chance to score as Nolf scored a takedown, walked over Tucker’s right arm and looked for the fall. The ref called the pin at 3:50, as Nolf added another one to his career fall total and Penn State went into intermission with a 14-7 lead.

Vincenzo Joseph versus Austin Hiles

Austin Hiles took the start for Gary Ritchie at 165 pounds tonight as Michigan State threw a familiar opponent at Vincenzo Joseph. Joseph had one fall victory over Hiles last year in January and Joseph was successful in making lightning strike twice. Joseph cradled up Hiles to earn the fall victory in 3:48; this fall was one minute slower than last year’s. Penn State found themselves still up, 20-7. 

Mark Hall versus Drew Hughes

Mark Hall looked to keep the pin parade in motion, as he tangled with 19th ranked, 174 pounder Drew Hughes. Top ranked Hall took Hughes down and scored four back points which was contested by the Michigan State coaching staff.

The call was reviewed and confirmed as Hall had a commanding 6-0 lead after the first period. Hughes was cut open in the second period causing a lengthy blood time cleanup, but once the match resumed Hall went back to work.

After repeated stalling calls on Hughes, Hall secured six bonus points due to the disqualification as Penn State now led by a score of 26-7.

Mason Manville versus Cameron Caffey

Mason Manville moved up to compete at 184 pounds in place of Shakur Rasheed against Cameron Caffey. Manville scored a takedown that was later reversed by the referees much to the dismay of the hometown crowd.

Caffey had finished his previous two bouts by fall and Manville looked determined to battled. Caffey held a 5-2 lead as the third period started and Manville started to find his groove.

The clock was not in Manville’s favor though, grabbing a leg and working around got the takedown call. The score was now 5-4 and Manville needed to move fast. Caffey held his own to the end with a win by decision, 6-4.

Bo Nickal versus Brad Wilton

Bo Nickal came out, took out Brad Wilton, and scored the fall in just 35 seconds. That was the fourth fall victory in a row for Nickal and he was now scored bonus points in 95 percent of his matches this year.

March is just around the corner and many believe that the Hodge trophy, given to the most outstanding wrestler of the season, is in reach for the senior Nickal.

Anthony Cassar versus Chase Beard

Chase Beard was starting in place Christian Rebottaro in the final match of the evening against third ranked Anthony Cassar. Cassar continued to look impressive against a much larger athlete, as the Nittany Lions won by technical fall.

This technical fall marks the second of the season for Cassar, as he closed out Penn State’s 57 consecutive duel win by a final of 37-10. Penn State will travel to Illinois for a Sunday afternoon duel and then finish up the regular season against the University of Buffalo.

 

 

Ryan Simpson is a senior majoring in statistics and minoring in sociology. To contact him, email ras6193@psu.edu.