Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1490816
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3 47 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Nittany Lions Hold Top Spot In Team Rankings Penn State continued to have the nation's top- ranked dual meet and tournament team, accord- ing to InterMat, as of late January. It also had the top-ranked team in the coaches poll. Heading into their Jan. 27 match against visit- ing Iowa, the Lions were in position to qualify wrestlers in nine of 10 weight classes at the national tournament. In addition, redshirt freshman Gary Steen could still maneuver into consideration at 125 pounds, but much work remains for that to become a reality. All told, Penn State entered its showdown with the Hawkeyes as the prohibitive favorite to win its second consecutive national title. Another storyline heading into the Iowa match involved head coach Cael Sanderson, who was one win shy of a milestone. After guiding Penn State to victories in its first 10 dual meets of the 2022-23 season, Sanderson found himself with 99 victories as the leader of the Nittany Lions. Five Lions Appear In Coaches Rankings Multiple Penn State wrestlers landed in the year's first NCAA coaches panel rankings. Not every Nittany Lion made the cut, however, be- cause wrestlers must have competed in at least eight matches as of Jan. 15 to be included. Junior Beau Bartlett was ranked No. 3 at 141 pounds, while redshirt freshman Shayne Van Ness was No. 11 at 149. Redshirt freshman Alex Facundo was No. 16 at 165 pounds, junior Carter Starocci earned the top spot at 174, and senior Max Dean was No. 2 at 197 pounds. Expect to see super senior Roman Bravo- Young, senior Aaron Brooks and junior Greg Kerkvliet listed at 133, 184 and 285, respec- tively, in next month's rankings. All should have enough matches by then. After some upset victories, Van Ness and Fa- cundo might even earn the right to be inside of the top 10 at their respective weight classes. PSU's 2024 Class Leads Team Rankings Penn State has the top class in the country in the 2024 team recruiting rankings that Flo- Wrestling.com released on Jan. 20. The class is highlighted by third-ranked 160-pounder Joe Sealey of Pennsylvania power Wyoming Semi- nary. It also includes sixth-ranked 184-pounder Zack Ryder of New York and seventh-ranked 133-pounder Mason Gibson of Pennsylvania. Numerous Penn State commits were in the FloWrestling Prep Rankings as of Jan. 23. Michi- gan senior Josh Barr was 10th overall and No. 2 at 182 pounds. Tyler Kasak, who is a senior from Pennsylvania, checked in 24th in the pound-for- pound rankings and was No. 2 at 145 pounds. Michigan senior Braeden Davis moved up one spot to No. 3 nationally at 126 pounds. New York junior Zack Ruder was No. 8 overall at 182 pounds, while Pennsylvania sophomore Dalton Perry was No. 8 at 132. Sealey Triumphs At Powerade Tourney Future Penn State wrestlers shined at the Powerade tournament in late December. Joe Sealey of Wyoming Seminary won first place at the prestigious event, beating Alessio Perentin of New Jersey by an 11-6 decision in the final at 160 pounds. Before that, Sealey was rarely challenged en route to the top spot on the podium. Also hitting the medal stand was 2023 recruit Cael Nasdeo of Williamsport, Pa. Nasdeo fin- ished fifth at 121 pounds, winning his final bout 13-2 over fellow senior commit Branden Wentzel of Montoursville, Pa. — Greg Pickel Coach Cael Sanderson was closing in on his 100th dual meet victory at Penn State after the Nittany Lions won their first 10 matches of the season. PHOTO BY DANIEL ALTHOUSE