Blue White Illustrated

November 2022

Penn State Sports Magazine

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4 6 N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M I f Penn State wrestling fans collec- tively were to ask how the 2022-23 Nittany Lion squad could perform better than the 2021-22 team that won an NCAA team title by 36.5 points over Michigan and crowned five individual champions, the answer would be rela- tively simple: Just wait. Preseason rankings lend credence to that sentiment; Penn State has a com- manding margin over Iowa in some polls and Missouri in another. Other con- tenders at this juncture include Ohio State, Cornell and Arizona State. Penn State boasts three returning two-time NCAA champions — super senior Roman Bravo-Young (133), junior Carter Starocci (174) and senior Aaron Brooks (184) — along with a fourth de- fending titlist in senior 197-pounder Max Dean. That would top any set of rankings. What makes the tournament power index ratings more impressive is that the Nittany Lions are unranked in three weight classes and ranked in the deep teens in another. It remains to be seen how much bet- ter Penn State can be as it pursues its 10th NCAA crown in 12 seasons, while also striving to extend a dual-meet winning streak that currently stands at 28 matches. What is clear is that with overall good health and a coaching deci- sion or two at individual weight classes, Penn State could be even more formi- dable this year than last. Here are the projected/possible lineup ingredients: 125 pounds: This weight class is the deepest that it's been in many a season. Redshirt sophomore Robbie Howard leads a list that also includes Ohio State trans- fer Will Betancourt and returnees Baylor Shunk, a junior, and Gary Steen, a sopho- more. Howard was 7-6 during his true fresh- man season. He was inserted into the lineup in February 2021 and went 2-2 at NCAAs. Last season, he rehabbed an in- jured shoulder. Whether he is back to full health is unknown. "It's something he's going to have to work on consistently," Penn State coach Cael Sanderson said in early October. "We have a few different options there. Ob- viously, a healthy Robbie is going to be tough to beat. But, that's probably one of the weight classes that we'll figure out as we get going." 133: Bravo-Young wavered on whether he would return for a shot at his third consecutive NCAA crown. He announced in May that he was coming back, and Sanderson was pleased with the decision. "He's just getting better and better, and he's becoming a better leader for us," the coach said. "Plus, he's as fun as anyone has ever been to watch wrestle." If Bravo-Young ever needs a break for any reason, redshirt sophomores David Evans and Marco Vespa could offer depth at this weight, as could Betancourt. 141: In terms of overall numbers, the roster at 133 and 149 is thin, but it's just the opposite at 141, where at least six wrestlers will compete. At the top of that list is junior Beau Bartlett. The former Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) standout is coming off a 15-10 sea- son at 149 and admitted recently that, for a time, he was "disappointed in how things had been happening. "But now," he continued, "I'm excited for that extra motivation, that extra en- ergy, that extra passion that is there now, WRESTLING A CHANCE TO BE EVEN BETTER Penn State might appear to have left little room for improvement after romping to the 2022 national title. Don't be so sure. J I M C A R L S O N | B L U E W H I T E C O N T R I BU TO R Junior Carter Starocci is ranked No. 1 at 174 pounds after winning the past two national championships. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL

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