Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1514597
4 8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M T he Penn State wrestling team will be without a returning All-Amer- ican and second-year starter for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. Head coach Cael Sanderson told report- ers in December that 149-pound wres- tler Shayne Van Ness is out for the year due to an undisclosed injury. The first indication that something might be up with "SVN" came early in December. Van Ness, a sophomore, did not take the mat as expected for the Nittany Lions' dual meet with Lehigh. Instead, freshman Tyler Kasak wrestled Mountainhawk Drew Munch and won, 7-6. "It's like who's ready to go and who's available, and we'll wrestle our best team," Sanderson said, per PennLive. "It's finals coming up, and coming off a week after Thanksgiving has not been our best time in the past as far as having everybody ready to roll." That is true. But the problem for the Lions is that Van Ness won't be ready to roll at any point this year moving for- ward. After finishing third at nationals last year, the Penn State wrestler won his first three bouts in November by fall then beat top-five foe Kyle Parco of Ari- zona State 5-1 in the NWCA All-Star Classic. It ended up being his last match of the year. "Unfortunately, he's had issues with something. It got tweaked again in prac- tice, and he will get it repaired and get ready for next year," Sanderson said, per Flo. "Obviously, he'll be sorely missed. There's nothing worse than injuries." Sanderson offered a small update on Van Ness when speaking to reporters in early January. "He's an incredibly valuable member of the team," he said. "Just him being around lightens up the mood. He's got that big smile, and he's just a competi- tor, obviously tenacious. "He hasn't had surgery or anything yet. They always try to put it off until after the holidays when you have the staff here. … You don't want to have the surgery, and then you'll sit on your couch for two weeks. That usually lengthens the recovery time. He hasn't had that yet, but stuff is coming up." With Van Ness out, the Lions have been relying on freshman Tyler Kasak in their dual meet lineups. Lions Land A Pair Of 2025 Commitments Sanderson's top-ranked program ended 2023 by landing a pair of highly regarded targets in the class of 2025. Wyoming Seminary junior Nate Des- mond, a two-time PIAA state champ who is competing at 120 pounds, picked the Nittany Lions two days after Christmas. Flo rates him as the No. 3 120-pounder in the country. Flo's No. 16 overall prep recruit, junior William Henckel, picked Penn State Dec. 29, a couple days after Desmond. He is No. 6 at 165 pounds in the outlet's high school rankings. From Connecticut, he wrestles at New Jersey prep powerhouse Blair Academy. "I am beyond excited to announce my commitment to Penn State University," Henckel wrote on Instagram. "I have been blessed over the years to be supported by family, friends and coaches that believe in me and have gotten me to this point in my career." Shayne Van Ness Will Miss Remainder Of Season G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M Van Ness finished third at the NCAA Tournament last season and was off to a strong start at 149 pounds before suffer- ing an undisclosed injury in December. PHOTO BY DANIEL ALTHOUSE Penn State 2023-24 Wrestling Schedule Date Opponent Time/TV Nov. 12 Journeymen Collegiate Classic* Individ. Nov. 19 Army Black Knight Invite** Individ. Nov. 21 NWCA ALL-STAR CLASSIC Individ. Dec. 3 LEHIGH W, 30-10 Dec. 10 HOFSTRA W, 43-10 Jan. 5 at Oregon St. W, 36-3 Jan. 14 INDIANA W, 46-0 Jan. 19 at Michigan 6 p.m./BTN Jan. 21 at Michigan State TBA/B1G+ Jan. 28 at Maryland Noon/BTN Feb. 2 OHIO STATE 6:30 p.m./BTN Feb. 9 at Iowa 9 p.m./BTN Feb. 12 RUTGERS^ 7 p.m./BTN Feb. 18 NEBRASKA 4 p.m./BTN Feb. 25 EDINBORO 2 p.m./B1G+ Mar. 9-10 Big Ten Championships% TBA Mar. 21-23 NCAA Championships# TBA * at Bethlehem, Pa. ** at West Point, N.Y. ^ at Bryce Jordan Center % at College Park, Md. # at Kansas City, Mo.