It didn’t start out as planned for Penn State but after falling behind (13-0) to Oklahoma State Pennsylvania Wrestling powered the Nittany Lions to an NCAA National Duals Championship title in Stillwater, OK . It started with 4x PIAA State Champion Jimmy Gulibon (Derry Area) who showed his true colors despite a loss to 2016 NCAA National Champion Dean Heil (Ohio). You may remember the name from the 2011 Ironman Finals when Gulibon, then ranked #1 in the Nation at 126 lbs., was upset by Heil getting pinned after a scramble. Now a fifth year senior at Penn State many things have been said about Jimmy and his career but in Stillwater the PA legend proved he can hang with the best. After giving up the first takedown to Heil Jimmy escaped and ended the first period down (2-1). In the second Gulibon again escaped to lock it up (2-2) before going on the offensive and nearly securing a high crotch. Heil fought it off to the point he exposed his own back and by all accounts was pinned defensively. No takedown was awarded to Jimmy as the period ended (2-2). In the third period Gulibon erased Heil’s riding time, let him up, and again attacked the legs ending up in an almost identical position as the second period. Once again Heil fought it off and in doing so it appeared he once again pinned himself. Regardless of the (3-2) victory for Heil the former All-American Gulibon looked sharp on his feet and nearly upset the top ranked wrestler.

Undefeated junior and 2016 NCAA National Champion Zain Retherford (Benton Area) had a hard fought win over Anthony Collica (Ohio) at 149 lbs. winning on riding time (2-1). Retherford amassed 1:51 in riding time, but at a cost, as he was hit for a stalling point after Collica stood up to avoid legs being put in several times in the second period. Retherford’s win put the first team points on the board for Penn State. Returning NCAA Runner-up Jason Nolf (Kittanning), ranked #1 at 157 lbs., set the tone quickly in a rout of #6 Joe Smith (Oklahoma) during a battle of All-Americans. Nolf was machine like in opening up Smith hitting takedown after takedown holding a (13-4) advantage after two periods. There was no slowing down the 3x PA State Champion as Nolf secured five takedowns in the third period and added on a riding time point to grab critical bonus points with the tech-fall (24-9).

After the intermission Pennsylvania Wrestling was again represented at 165 lbs. as 2x PA State Champion and Penn State redshirt freshman Vincenzo Joseph took the mat. Joseph, ranked #4 by Intermat, collided with #8 Chandler Rogers (Oklahoma) in a match that both coaches marked as ‘must have’ wins. Like Jason Nolf before him Vincenzo was offensive from the start picking up two first period takedowns and back-points to go up (6-1) after one period. Rogers escaped in the second and Joseph was unable to connect on several takedown attempts to close out the second period. The gas tank was full for Vincenzo in the third period picking up an escape and two more takedowns to end the match (12-4) with the riding time point. The major decision for #4 Jospeh over #8 Rodgers firmly put Penn State in control with four bouts left. 

With the Nittany Lions up comfortably (21-13) on the Cowboys, junior Matt McCutcheon (Kiski Area), ranked #9 at 197 lbs., faced off with #8 Preston Weigel (Kansas). The physically imposing Weigel was able to fend off attacks from McCutcheon in the first two periods holding a (1-0) lead going into the third period. Showing his respect for Weigel’s top game McCutcheon took neutral to start the third. It was a smart move for the PA State Champion who connected on a low single to go up (2-1) in the bout. After an escape by Weigel the composed McCutcheon once again connected a takedown taking a (4-2) lead late in the match. After an escape by Wiegel Matt hung on to claim an impressive win over yet another ranked opponent and clinch the dual meet victory for Penn State.

Overall Pennsylvania wrestlers went (4-1) on the day.

 

#1 Penn State 27, #2 Oklahoma State 13

 

125: #11 Nick Piccininni OKST inj. def. #2 Nick Suriano PSU, inj. def. (3:34) / 0-6

133: #3 Kaid Brock OKST maj. dec. George Carpenter PSU, 17-6 / 0-10

141: #1 Dean Heil OKST dec. #10 Jimmy Gulibon (Derry Area) PSU, 3-2 / 0-13

149: #1 Zain Retherford (Benton Area) PSU dec. #2 Anthony Collica OKST, 2-1 / 3-13

157: #1 Jason Nolf (Kittanning) PSU tech fall #6 Joe Smith OKST, 24-9 (TF; 7:00) / 8-13

165: #4 Vincenzo Joseph (Central Catholic) PSU maj. dec. #8 Chandler Rogers OKST, 12-4 / 12-13

174: #7 Mark Hall PSU dec. #9 Kyle Crutchmer OKST, 3-2 / 15-13

184: #2 Bo Nickal PSU pinned #4 Nolan Boyd OKST, WBF (0:38) / 21-13

197: #9 Matt McCutcheon (Kiski Area) PSU dec. #8 Preston Weigel OKST, 4-3 / 24-13

285: #3 Nick Nevills PSU dec. Derek White OKST, 10-5 / 27-13