Penn State wrestling cruises past Rider without Aaron Brooks and with Max Dean’s loss

Penn State came into Friday night’s match with Rider looking for its 21st dual shutout under coach Cael Sanderson.

The Nittany Lions were well on their way, even with Aaron Brooks out of the lineup, but came up short of the shutout in a 37-3 victory over the Broncs. It was the 30th straight dual win for Penn State.

The Nittany Lions led 33-0 when No. 1 Max Dean stepped on the mat at 197 pounds. He took on No. 12 Ethan Laird in the only other matchup of the dual with a pair of ranked wrestlers squaring off.

Dean and Laird traded escapes over three periods of wrestling, but Laird’s coaches thought Dean pulled Laird’s singlet in a late scramble at the end of the third period. However, the challenge by the coaches was unsuccessful and the bout headed to sudden victory.

Laird shot in on a takedown attempt right off the whistle and converted, much to the dismay of Penn State’s coaches. They thought there was a continuation of action from Dean, and challenged the Laird takedown.

The review happened, and Laird’s takedown stood, handing him a 3-1 upset of Dean.

Greg Kerkvliet finished the dual off with a dominating 11-1 major decision over David Szuba. Kerkvliet amassed 5:31 in riding time in the victory.

Gary Steen earned a tough 6-4 win over Tyler Klinsky at 125 pounds to kick the night off for Penn State. Steen recorded two nice takedowns in the win.

Roman Bravo-Young had no problems with Richie Koehler at 133 pounds. RBY recorded 10 takedowns, picked up two stall points from Koehler and nearly had a technical fall, but came away with a 23-9 major decision.

Beau Bartlett had work to do against McKenzie Bell. Trailing 4-2 after two periods of wrestling, Bartlett earned a reversal midway through the third period. He caught Bell in a cradle and stuck the Rider wrestler in 6:08 to give Penn State a 13-0 dual lead.

No. 20 Shayne Van Ness and the Broncs’ No. 24 Quinn Kinner was the other matchup of ranked wrestlers squaring off on the night, at 149 pounds. Van Ness nearly put the bout away early as he took Kinner down and nearly stuck him in the first period, but no luck.

The pair traded reversals in the second period, but Kinner tacked on an escape and takedown, to trail 6-5 after two periods. Van Ness went to work in the third period by recording two takedowns and added a riding-time point for an 11-6 statement win.

In the blink of an eye, Terrell Barraclough’s match was over as his foe, Jake Silverstein, got injured on an initial takedown. Silverstein shot in on Barraclough’s legs and left out an immediate yell injuring his arm. The bout was over in 9 seconds.

The Nittany Lions led 22-0 at the half.

Out of the break, Alex Facundo (165 pounds) and Carter Starocci (174) put together back-to-back major decision victories. Facundo secured a 13-4 win over a gassed Hunter Mays. Starocci had eight takedowns in an 18-6 victory over Shane Reitsma.

With Brooks out of the lineup, Donovon Ball stepped in at 184 pounds, and nearly earned bonus points against Asa Terrell. Ball tallied a takedown in each period — two in the third period — en route to a 9-3 win before Dean came onto the mat.

No. 1 Penn State 37, Rider 3

Friday at Trenton, N.J.

125: Gary Steen, PSU, dec. Tyler Klinsky, 6-4

133: No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young, PSU, major dec. Richie Koehler, 23-9

141: No. 9 Beau Bartlett, PSU, pinned McKenzie Bell, 6:08

149: No. 20 Shayne Van Ness, PSU, dec. No. 24 Quinn Kinner, 11-6

157: No. 30 Terrell Barraclough, PSU, injury def. Jake Silverstein, :09

165: No. 17 Alex Facundo, PSU, major dec. Hunter Mays, 13-4

174: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU, major dec. Shane Reitsma, 18-6

184: Donovon Ball, PSU, dec. Asa Terrell, 9-3

197: No. 12 Ethan Laird, R, dec. No. 1 Max Dean, 3-1 (SV)

285: No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet, PSU, major dec. David Szuba, 11-1

Takedowns: PSU 37, Rider 4

Records: Penn State (2-0), Rider (2-1)

Next match: Penn State at Lehigh, Sunday, 2 p.m.