The Friday night dual got underway at 125 pounds, despite pleas from fans to start the match at 184 pounds, in front of a sold out Rec Hall that aired live on ESPN2.

Pennsylvania wrestler Devin Schnupp (Warwick) got a standing ovation despite falling to Arizona State’s Brandon Courtney (13-7). After a rough start for Schnupp, the sophomore battled hard in the next two periods and, after giving up a late takedown, earned a reversal as time expired to erase the major decision.

At 133 pounds true-freshman Roman Bravo-Young picked up his first career win over a ranked opponent when #7 Ryan Millof bumped up from 125 pounds. The Arizona native took it to the senior scoring 4 takedowns and nearly pinning Millholf in a (14-1) thumping that brought the Rec Hall crowd to their feet.

Penn State’s All-American Nick Lee had no issues packing up Arizona State sophomore Cory Crooks at 141 pounds earning a first period fall that put the Nittany Lions up (10-3) in the dual meet. 4-time PIAA State Medalist Josh Maruca (Franklin Regional) was the second Pennsylvania native to take the mat. The #11 ranked wrestler in the Nation faced off against Penn State freshman #12 Brady Berge at 149 pounds in a critical toss-up match. In his Rec Hall debut Brady Berge scored two takedowns against Maruca to win it (5-4) in an uneventful bout. Maruca escaped twice and earned a stall point after Berge was hit late in the third period. 

2-time National Champion #1 Jason Nolf (Kittanning) did what he does best – dominate from all three positions, defeating Arizona State senior #16 Christian Pagdlilao by major decision (18-5) at 157 pounds. The 3-time PIAA State Champion showed fans his customary double #1 fingers and put Penn State up (17-3) in the dual. It was an all WPIAL affair at 165 pounds when juniors #1 Vincenzo Joseph (Central Catholic) and #5 Josh Shields (Franklin Regional) clashed. The two, 

In the first period Vincenzo picked up a single leg as Shields attempted a standing granby. Joseph clamped down exposing Shields’ back and putting him in danger to earn the takedown plus four back points. The Nittany Lion junior bullied Shields from his feet picking up another takedown late in the third period (11-2)

It was the most anticipated match of the NCAA College season thus far with Arizona State’s #1 Zahid Valencia taking on Penn State’s #2 Mark Hall. A rematch of the 2018 NCAA Finals, the two battled to a scoreless first period, and exchanged taps to the head. Hall took down and escaped in eight seconds to go up (1-0). From neutral Valencia dove deep on a leg but Hall hipped in hard and somehow came out on top of an incredible takedown. Up (3-0) in the third period Hall frustrated Valencia to no end, riding him out for the entire period and taking the bout (4-0) with riding time.

The next three bouts were dominated by Penn State as #4 Shakur Rasheed picked up a (15-0) tech-fall at 184 pounds, #1 Bo Nickal pinned in thirty-five seconds at 197 pounds, and #5 Anthony Cassar closed it out with yet another fall in (5:18). In total Penn State had three falls, two tech-falls, and three major decisions.

 

#1 Penn State over #9 Arizona State

 

125:  Brandon Courtney (ASU) dec. Devin Schnupp (PSU), 13-7

133:  Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) maj. dec. #7 @ 125 Ryan Millhof (ASU), 14-1

141:  #4 Nick Lee (PSU) fall Cory Crooks (ASU), 2:18

149:  #12 Brady Berge (PSU) dec. #11 Josh Maruca (ASU), 5-4

157:  #1 Jason Nolf (PSU) maj. dec. #16 Christian Pagdilao (ASU), 18-5

165:  #1 Vincenzo Joseph (PSU) maj. dec. #5 Josh Shields (ASU), 11-2

174:  #2 Mark Hall (PSU) dec. #1 Zahid Valencia (ASU), 4-0

184:  #4 Shakur Rasheed (PSU) maj. dec. Kordell Norfleet (ASU), 18-5

197:  #1 Bo Nickal (PSU) fall Austyn Harris (ASU), 0:35

285:  #5 Anthony Cassar (PSU) fall Brady Daniel (ASU), 5:18