True Frosh Retherford Stuns 2X NCAA Champ Steiber

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Photo by Bill Ennis

True-Freshman Zain Retherford (Benton Area) helped Penn State blow away Ohio State. Retherford kept his undefeated college career going with a stunning (4-2 SV) overtime victory over one of the best wrestlers in the Nation – Logan Steiber.

The Ohio State junior has dominated the college wrestling scene ever since upsetting Jordan Oliver in the NCAA finals during his freshman season. Steiber has not only captured two NCAA Championships in two seasons, he has excelled on the National Freestyle level.

For Retherford, his young Lion career has been nothing short of perfect, compiling a (11-0) record over the top competition. Below is a summary of the Retherford vs. Steiber match provided by PSU Sports Information.

141: True freshman Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.), ranked No. 8 at 141, met defending NCAA Champion 133-pound champion and top-ranked Logan Stieber in one of the dual’s most anticipated match-ups. Stieber scored early, using a high single to work his way to a takedown and a 2-1 lead :40 into the bout. The defending NCAA champion then controlled the action from the top, building up :53 in time before Retherford escaped to a 2-1 score. Retherford then got in on Stieber’s left ankle, working for a takedown on the edge of the mat. But Stieber was able to work his way out of bounds and held the one point lead. Retherford got called for stalling with :40 on the clock and action returned to the center circle. He fought off a late Stieber shot and trailed by one after one period. Stieber chose down to start the second period and Retherford was able to break the Buckeye down in the middle of the mat. Retherford maintained control of Stieber long enough to kill any riding time edge first, and then forced Stieber into a stall warning. Retherford maintained control of the Buckeye until a reset was called with :19 on the clock. He then continued his ride out after the reset and trailed by one with 1:07 in time to his edge after two. Retherford chose neutral to start the third period and quickly got in on Stieber’s left ankle. The Buckeye countered forced a scramble on the edge of the mat. A stalemate was called with :57 left and action resumed in the center circle. Stieber shot low, but Retherford fought off the shot and with :30 left the Lion still trailed by one. Retherford’s riding time sent the bout to sudden victory. Retherford shot quickly and gained control of Stieber’s ankle again. With just under :30 left, Retherford sealed the deal with the taking, stunning the top-ranked Stieber 4-2 in sudden victory.

Wrestlers in red are Pennslyvania Natives!

Results:
125: #3 Nico Megaludis PSU tech fall #19 Nick Roberts OSU, 21-4 (TF; 6:54) / 5-0
133: #6 Johnni DeJulius OSU dec. #15 Jimmy Gulibon PSU, 3-2 / 5-3
141: #8 Zain Retherford PSU dec. (sv) #1 Logan Stieber OSU, 4-2 (sv) / 8-3
149: Zack Beitz PSU dec. #19 Ian Paddock OSU, 5-3 / 11-3
157: James Vollrath PSU dec. Randy Languis OSU, 11-5 / 14-3
165: #1 David Taylor PSU tech fall Joe Grandominico OSU, 20-5 (TF; 7:00) / 19-3
174: #3 Matt Brown PSU maj. dec. Mark Martin OSU, 16-4 / 23-3
184: #1 Ed Ruth PSU maj. dec. #12 Kenny Courts OSU, 14-3 / 27-3
197: #5 Nick Heflin OSU dec. Wes Phipps PSU, 3-1 / 27-6
285: #12 Jimmy Lawson PSU maj. dec. Nick Tavanello OSU, 15-4 / 31-6
Attendance: 6,380 (14th-straight home sell-out for Penn State)

Records: Penn State 6-0, 1-0 B1G; Ohio State 4-1, 0-1 B1G)

Up Next for Penn State: Saturday, Dec. 21 at Iowa (non-conference dual), 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]