Penn State wrestling’s Braeden Davis set to lead off lineup against Oregon State
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Every week before a dual or tournament, Penn State wrestling releases match notes, giving a glimpse of who will be in the starting lineup.
Every week the probable starter at 125 pounds for the Nittany Lions had multiple wrestlers listed, except this week, which only saw Braeden Davis listed for Friday’s dual against Oregon.
After Davis’ 11-2 major decision in the dual against Hofstra on Dec. 10, Penn State coach Cael Sanderson was asked if he’d be the wrestler at 125 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 at the time. “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.”
With the release of the match notes on Wednesday for Friday’s dual at Oregon State, it appears as though Sanderson and Co. are no longer leaning. And Davis has a tough matchup in the Beavers’ No. 15-ranked wrestler, Brandon Kaylor.
On Tuesday, as the squad came back from break, Davis said it was nice getting to go back home to Belleville, Michigan, to see his mom and sister for the first time since the fall semester started.
The true freshman said he got to work out during the break, but was glad to be back at his second home.
“It feels good. We all know now is crunch time,” Davis said. “Everyone understands that. I feel like everyone’s even more ready.”
Davis had quite the high school career, going 147-6 and winning four state titles as an individual and with his high school, Dundee.
He has continued that success with the Nittany Lions so far to the tune of an 8-0 record with six bonus point victories — three major decisions and three technical falls.
In November, Davis collected his first tournament title at the Black Knight Invite by beating Army’s Ethan Bergnic, who was a NCAA qualifier last year.
But being inside Penn State’s wrestling room, with guys from the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club practicing at the same time, can quickly humble any decorated wrestler.
“I guess the first live go was with Thomas Gilman. That was the one,” said Davis when asked if he’s had any growing pains. “I got beat up pretty good, but I’ve improved since.”
Penn State practices are one of the biggest difference from high school, Davis said, with more freedom for guys to work on whatever they’d like.
Davis said he’s seen improvement in every aspect of his wrestling. He’s learned some other shots and such, but is still working on figuring some other things out, too.
“It’s just a lot of getting better, that’s for sure, a lot of improvement every single day. It’s really nice to be here and have these coaches,” Davis said. “I’m confident in them and everything I need they give it to me.”
No. 1 Penn State (2-0) at No. 17 Oregon State (4-1)
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, Ore.
Radio: WOWY (103.1 FM)
Online: Radio, Lionvision at GoPSUsports.com
X: @byncobler, @pennstatewrest
Nittany Lions | vs. | Beavers |
125: Braeden Davis (8-0) | vs. | No. 15 Brandon Kaylor (11-4) |
133: No. 4 Aaron Nagao (5-1) | vs. | No. 26 Gabe Whisenhunt (7-4) |
141: No. 2 Beau Bartlett (8-0) | vs. | No. 25 Cleveland Belton (9-5) |
149: Tyler Kasak (4-1) OR David Evans (7-2) | vs. | No. 12 Nash Singleton (6-4) |
157: No. 1 Levi Haines (5-0) | vs. | Isaiah Crosby (2-2) OR Murphy Menke (3-1) |
165: No. 14 Mitchell Mesenbrink (9-0) | vs. | No. 10 Matthew Olguin (5-2) OR Kekana Fouret (6-2) |
174: No. 1 Carter Starocci (5-0) | vs. | No. 7 Travis Wittlake (11-2) |
184: No. 2 Bernie Truax (5-0) | vs. | No. 6 Trey Munoz (11-2) |
197: No. 1 Aaron Brooks (4-0) | vs. | No. 30 Justin Rademacher (6-2) OR Mason Christiansen (1-1) |
285: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet (4-0) | vs. | No. 12 Boone McDermott (12-3) |
