No. 1 Penn State wrestling has its biggest dual meet of the season—and perhaps its biggest in multiple years—coming up Friday night.
Penn State has participated in multiple No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchups in the past. The fact that this one is taking place with the Big Ten team championship on the line adds to its significance.
No. 2 Ohio State enters the competition undefeated, having recently defeated No. 8 Iowa on Senior Night in Columbus. Since winning the National Duals in November, Ohio State has been considered Penn State’s biggest threat, and that assessment remains true in late February.
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No. 1 Luke Lilledahl vs. No. 2 Nic Bouzakis
Lilledahl is 15-1 this season and has not lost in dual meet action. His only defeat came against teammate Nate Desmond at the Black Knight Invitational in November. 71% of his wins have come by bonus point, including a 21-5 tech fall over Michigan’s Diego Sotelo.
Bouzakis, who similarly wrestled at Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Seminary, is 12-1 with a 61% bonus win rate, most recently defeating Iowa’s Dean Peterson 9-5. After his win, Bouzakis was seen holding his lower back, making his health a factor to watch.
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No. 1 Levi Haines vs. No. 5 Carson Kharchla
Haines is 17-0 this season and recently dominated Michigan’s Beau Mantanona with a 19-4 tech fall. Kharchla is 14-3 with a 53% bonus rate, but lost a close 2-1 match to No. 3 Patrick Kennedy in his last bout.
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No. 2 Ben Davino vs. No. 4 Marcus Blaze
Both Davino and Blaze are freshman, making this a key matchup for the future of the 133-pound weight class. Davino has more collegiate experience, having redshirted last season, and is currently 22-0 with a bonus point rate above 63%. He recently defeated Iowa’s Drake Ayala 4-2.
Blaze, considered a highly-touted recruit, has also started the year 17-0 with an 88% bonus win rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is at stake in this dual meet?
The dual meet between Penn State and Ohio State is for the Big Ten team championship.
What is Ohio State’s record this season?
Ohio State is undefeated this season.
Who are some of the key wrestlers to watch in this meet?
Luke Lilledahl, Levi Haines, and Ben Davino are among the key wrestlers to watch for Penn State.
With both teams boasting top-ranked wrestlers and a conference championship on the line, what impact will this match have on the landscape of collegiate wrestling?
