Penn State wrestling once again asserted its dominion over collegiate wrestling, dominating Iowa with a commanding victory of 30-8 at the Bryce Jordan Center on January 31, 2025. The highly anticipated matchup between the No. 1 Nittany Lions and the No. 2 Hawkeyes ended up demonstrating the gap between the two programs, as Penn State extended its impressive dual-meet winning streak to 66 matches.
The atmosphere inside the Bryce Jordan Center was electric as both teams entered the match undefeated, each boasting 9-0 overall records and 3-0 marks within the Big Ten. The enthusiastic crowd, which included Penn State football coach James Franklin, knew they were witnessing something special. The evening kicked off with No. 7 Luke Lilledahl setting the tone for the match by overpowering Iowa’s Joey Cruz, requiring just under seven minutes to claim a technical fall with a score of 22-6. This impressive start signaled to the crowd and the opposing team alike what the evening had in store.
Iowa managed to respond momentarily when No. 3 Drake Ayala seized victory over Kurt McHenry by technical fall as well (19-4), tying the match at 5-5. But the Nittany Lions regained control swiftly. No. 3 Beau Bartlett earned a decision victory over Cullan Schriever, pushing Penn State's lead to 8-5. The 141-pound bout showcased Bartlett's proficiency and aggression, scoring two early takedowns to lead the match securely.
At 149 pounds, Shayne Van Ness faced off against No. 2 Kyle Parco, who had entered the bout undefeated. Van Ness opened strong and, after trailing briefly, managed to secure the major decision victory (17-6), marking Parco’s first loss of the season. This turning point solidified the Nittany Lions' position as they led 12-5, reinvigorated by the crowd's roaring approval.
Continuing the momentum, Tyler Kasak decisively defeated Iowa’s top-ranked Jacori Teemer with a score of 5-2, extending the Nittany Lions’ lead to 15-5. Kasak’s ability to fend off Teemer’s advances showcased his sharp technical skills and readiness to perform under pressure. The following match featured No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink against No. 2 Michael Caliendo; Mesenbrink swiftly overpowered Caliendo with another technical fall (19-4), making it evident this was going to be no ordinary matchup.
The evening continued on this dominant path for Penn State as Levi Haines defeated Patrick Kennedy, bringing the score to 23-5 after showcasing exceptional takedown skills. Penn State’s supremacy became more prominent during the pivotal 184-pound match, where No. 1 Carter Starocci squared off against Iowa’s Angelo Ferrari, who stood out bravely against the reigning champion. Starocci managed to secure the win (3-1) but faced frustrations throughout as Ferrari refrained from aggressive actions, opting to keep the match at bay.
Despite having seen two bouts go the Hawkeyes’ way, including Stephen Buchanan’s win over Josh Barr (5-1), the night’s outcome fell heavily to Penn State. The match concluded with Greg Kerkvliet earning another decisive major decision over Iowa’s Ben Kueter (12-2), cementing the Nittany Lions’ assertion with the final score reflecting their unquestionable lead at 30-8.
After the match, Iowa’s Gabe Arnold, who was expected to face Starocci, reflected on the lost opportunity as he was unable to compete due to injury. "We've got Penn State next week and we didn't get the job done last year and that's gotta suck. But we're gonna get it done this year. So this time we'll be in your home dojo and I promise, your head's mine. Book it," he had claimed prior to the event.
This clash not only reinforced Penn State’s status as the dominant force in college wrestling but also showcased its ability to perform under pressure against expected challengers. With this victory, the Nittany Lions remain at the forefront of the collegiate wrestling scene as they prepare for their next formidable contest against No. 19 Michigan, scheduled for February 7, 2025.