Blue White Illustrated

to come. It's an incredible environment, so whether you're from around here or from across the country, I think everyone is really going to have a blast. For me, specifically, it's right here at home so it's a comfortable feeling." Since Lee left high school in Evansville, Ind., a year early, grayshirted and stayed with a grandmother in nearby Bellefonte, Pa., he does feel at home at Penn State. That feeling is helped by having a brother, Joe, on the roster. Another brother, Matt, is verbally committed to come to Penn State next season, Nick said. Joe Lee said Nick is like a father figure to the freshmen in the practice room. "He seems like he knows it all and he's smart and he does the right things," Joe said. "He tells me to just do the right things and don't steer off the path… just focus. "And he's an expert on nutrition and eating. He's the cook of the house, but even when he's not there, I call him and say, 'What should I eat tonight? I have a tournament in three days… what should I eat?' And he'll be like, 'Oh, eat this, this and this, and on tournament day eat this. Do this at practice today.' He knows what the coaches do and he kind of passes that down to me. He has good insight." And good skills, good drive and a good outlook. "This is a part of my life I really enjoy a lot. Wrestling is something that I've done since I was a kindergartner," Nick said. "I just enjoy it and I think it's kind of in my nature to be the best I can be. If you're being the best you can be, you're probably successful." ■ Top-ranked heavyweight transferring to PSU Penn State's already deep talent pool is about to grow even deeper, as heavyweight Daniel Gregory Kerkvliet recently announced plans to transfer to PSU a6er initially signing with Ohio State. Kerkvliet was the top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2019 ac- cording to FloWrestling. A four-time state champion at Simley Senior High in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and a Cadet world champ, Kerkvliet will likely have a chance to compete with Seth Nevills for the Nittany Lions' starting heavyweight spot next season. Anthony Cassar has another year of eligibility remain- ing a6er the current season ends but has indicated that he will probably not use it. Kerkvliet was one of the most coveted recruits in the country, having won the 100kg Cadet world title in 2017 and finished as the 110kg runner-up the following year. He initially committed to Minnesota, but later rescinded that pledge and announced for Oklahoma State. His plans changed again in September 2018 when he said he would sign in- stead with Ohio State. He fol- lowed through on that announcement, signing with the Buckeyes in November of that year but entered the transfer por- tal last month. Kerkvliet's announcement came shortly a6er former Buckeye heavyweight Kyle Snyder, an NCAA champion and Olympic gold medalist, revealed that he was planning to train with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. ■ Bethlehem, Pa. The trick to this trip was maintaining nutrition and good sleep habits. The squad had salads and subs after the match and also stayed in a hotel that night to get a good night's rest. The bus pulled out early on Dec. 7, and the team returned home to work out, make weight and prepare for Penn on Dec. 8, a match the Lions won, 33-7. NEW FACE, FAMILIAR NAME Brandon Meredith wrestled against Lehigh and Penn in place of the injured Brody Teske at 125 pounds. The redshirt freshman defeated Penn's 10th-ranked Michael Coloaicco for his first career dual meet victory. Meredith's grandfa- ther is former Penn State ticket man- ager Bud Meredith. ■ KERKVLIET LIONS' LEADER Sanderson guided PSU to 60 consec- utive dual meet victories before the streak came to an end at Arizona State in November. Photo by Steve Manuel

• Cover