Match Recap
Penn State
WINNER
American
NITTANY LIONS DOMINATE IN COMMANDING VICTORY OVER AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY PARK — In a dominant display of wrestling prowess, the Penn State Nittany Lions overwhelmed American by a score of 50-3 at Rec Hall on February 21, 2025. The Nittany Lions controlled the action from start to finish in this key matchup.
Early Nittany Lions Momentum
The action began at 125 pounds where Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) won by technical fall in 5:11 (20-3) to give the home team an early lead at Penn State 5, American 0. The 133-pound bout saw Raymond Lopez (American) earned a decision (9-7), narrowing the gap at Penn State 5, American 3. The 141-pound bout saw Beau Bartlett (Penn State) secured a technical fall in 3:19 (21-5), extending the home team's advantage at Penn State 10, American 3.
Key Middle Bouts
The momentum firmly shifted to Nittany Lions beginning at 141 pounds, as the home team put together a crucial streak of 8 consecutive victories. At 141 pounds, Beau Bartlett dominated with a tech fall, followed by Shayne Van Ness with a technical fall at 149 pounds, followed by Tyler Kasak with a pin at 157 pounds, followed by Mitchell Mesenbrink with a technical fall at 165 pounds, followed by Levi Haines with a pin at 174 pounds, followed by Carter Starocci with a pin at 184 pounds, followed by Josh Barr with a pin at 197 pounds, and at 285 pounds, Greg Kerkvliet capped the run with a pin, pushing the score to Penn State 50, American 3.
Sealing the Victory
With the team victory already secured for Penn State, at 184 pounds, Carter Starocci (Penn State) secured a pin in 2:22, followed by Josh Barr at 197 pounds who pinned his opponent in 1:09, In the final bout at 285 pounds, Greg Kerkvliet secured a pin in 2:47, making the final score Penn State 50, American 3.
Takedown Statistics
In the takedown battle, Penn State led with a 32 takedown advantage. Overall, Penn State finished with 34 takedowns to American's 2. Beau Bartlett (Penn State) led all wrestlers with 7 takedowns, followed by Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) with 6 takedowns and Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) with 5 takedowns.
Bout-by-Bout Analysis
Final: Penn State 50 – American 3
125: Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) tech fall Coen Bainey (American) in 5:11 20-3 // Penn State leads 5-0
133: Raymond Lopez (American) dec. Kyison Garcia (Penn State) 9-7 // Penn State leads 5-3
141: Beau Bartlett (Penn State) tech fall Elijah White (American) in 3:19 21-5 // Penn State leads 10-3
149: Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) tech fall Gage Owen (American) in 5:51 16-1 // Penn State leads 15-3
157: Tyler Kasak (Penn State) won by fall in 2:19 // Penn State leads 21-3
165: Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) tech fall Kaden Milheim (American) in 5:20 19-2 // Penn State leads 26-3
174: Levi Haines (Penn State) won by fall in 3:41 // Penn State leads 32-3
184: Carter Starocci (Penn State) won by fall in 2:22 // Penn State leads 38-3
197: Josh Barr (Penn State) won by fall in 1:09 // Penn State leads 44-3
285: Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) won by fall in 2:47 // Penn State leads 50-3