Pair of Penn State wrestlers win in debuts as Nittany Lions rout Hofstra

When Penn State entered its dual on Sunday against Hofstra, it was unknown who would be on the mat inside Rec Hall.

That wasn’t because of lineup battles or injuries, but because the US Senior Nationals are next weekend and the Nittany Lions want to try and get as many wrestlers as possible to the Olympic Trials in April at the Bryce Jordan Center.

But once things got underway on Sunday, it turned out that only four new faces made their Rec Hall debuts in Penn State’s 43-10 rout of the Pride.

The Nittany Lions won 8 of 10 bouts, with bonus points being scored in all 10 matchups.

“I think it was a good opportunity for these guys to go score points and do the things they’re working on in practice. It was a good day for us,” Penn State coach Cael Sanderson said. “Hofstra’s guys came out and battled. It was a nice match going into the holiday here. It’s something to build on.”

Braeden Davis (125 pounds), David Evans (141), Connor Pierce (149) and AJ Fricchione (285) were those Nittany Lions making their debuts.

Davis and Evans were the victors of the quartet.

The dual began with Davis getting things started, and he did so with a bang.

The true freshman recorded the bout’s first points with a takedown 38 seconds in against Dylan Acevedo-Switzer. He tallied an escape and another takedown in the second period to hold a 7-1 advantage.

After Acevedo-Switzer began the third period with an escape, Davis was able to get a late takedown and added 2:02 in riding time for an 11-2 major decision.

Based on what Sanderson said after the dual, Sunday’s result may have cemented Davis as the 125 starter going forward.

“I think we’re getting closer to that. Davis is competing hard and tough. He’s got a little bit of orneriness to him, which is good,” Sanderson said. “He looked good tonight. Going out and getting that takedown at the end to get the major says a lot. He’s wrestling well. We’re starting to lean that way.”

Aaron Nagao was back in at 133, and rebounded nicely after losing in his Rec Hall debut a week ago. He secured seven takedowns in 4:20 of wrestling time against Ryan Arbeit to rack up a 21-6 technical fall.

Evans, who filled in for Beau Bartlett, who is competing next weekend, kept things rolling for Penn State against Alex Turley.

He opened with a pair of takedowns in the first period. After two periods, Evans led 10-1, thanks to an escape and takedown.

In the third period, he poured it on with three more takedowns and earned a 19-4 technical fall in 6:13. Evans’ victory extended the Nittany Lions’ lead to 14-0.

Pierce followed Evans, but didn’t fare as well.

He was taken down and put to his back by Noah Tapia late in the first period. Tapia added an escape and another takedown in the second period.

The third period saw Tapia nearly ride Pierce for the entire period as he came away with an 11-2 major decision.

“As you can see, we have some some great kids that are ready to jump in there and wrestle. Evans is one of them. He’s really scrappy, tough and has quite a bit of experience,” Sanderson said. “I was excited for Connor (to get the start). I don’t think he was really happy with the way he competed today. Sometimes wrestling in the arena for the first time, it can challenge your focus. He’s a great kid and a competitor. He’ll just learn to get better from that experience.”

After Pierce’s loss, five usual faces came to the mat for Penn State.

Levi Haines got things going at 157 pounds with a pin of Dylan Zenion in 1:02. Mitchell Mesenbrink followed with a fall of his own in 1:24 of Matthew Waddell.

Carter Starocci nearly stalled Eric Shindel out at 174 pounds, but came away with a 19-3 technical fall in 5:38. The Nittany Lions were up 31-4 with more bonus points on the horizon.

Bernie Truax picked up a first period fall of Will Conlon in 1:51 at 184 pounds. Aaron Brooks made a return to the lineup and stuck former Central Mountain wrestler Nikolas Miller in 4:22.

The dual came to a close with Hofstra’s lone ranked wrestler in No. 21 Keaton Kluever pinning Fricchione in 4:32.

Sanderson and Co. now shift their focus to the US Senior Nationals, where an estimated 10 Penn State wrestlers are heading. After that, it’ll be a small break before returning to get ready for Oregon State on Jan. 5.

What will the Nittany Lions schedule be like in that time frame?

“We have this upcoming week (Senior Nationals), and I think a few days into the the following week. We give them as much structure as they want,” Sanderson said. “Some of them listen and some of them don’t, it’s just the way it goes. We get them back with enough time to be able to get ready for that next match.”

No. 1 Penn State 43, Hofstra 10

Sunday at University Park

125: Braeden Davis, PSU, major dec. Dylan Acevedo-Switzer, 11-2

133: No. 4 Aaron Nagao, PSU, tech. fall Ryan Arbeit, 21-6 (4:20)

141: David Evans, PSU, tech. fall Alex Turley, 19-4 (6:13)

149: Noah Tapia, H, major dec. Connor Pierce, 11-2

157: No. 1 Levi Haines, PSU, pinned Dylan Zenion, 1:02

165: No. 14 Mitchell Mesenbrink, PSU, pinned Matthew Waddell, 1:24

174: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU, tech. fall Eric Shindel, 19-3 (5:38)

184: No. 2 Bernie Truax, PSU, pinned Will Conlon, 1:51

197: No. 1 Aaron Brooks, PSU, pinned Nikolas Miller, 4:22

285: No. 21 Keaton Kluever, H, pinned AJ Fricchione, 4:32

Takedowns: H 6, PSU 30

Records: Hofstra (0-2), Penn State (2-0)

Next match: Penn State at Oregon State, Jan. 5, 8 p.m.