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Penn State Delivers High Drama in NCAA Wrestling Quarterfinals

The Lions go a perfect 7-0 with three thrilling victories from first-time All-Americans.

Mark Wogenrich

Beau Bartlett never quit, Shayne Van Ness rallied again, and Levi Haines authored a brilliant comeback as Penn State delivered all the theatrics Friday in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

Bartlett finished a takedown with 1 second remaining in the tiebreaker to shock Pitt's second sudden victory to shock Pitt's Cole Matthews 3-1 and reach the semifinals at 141 pounds.

Soon after, Van Ness followed his memorable Thursday performance with more theatrics. Van Ness, the 12th seed at 149 pounds, trailed 7-3 in the third period but hit a six-point move (takedown and back points) to beat Indiana's Graham Rooks for the fourth time this season.

Then freshman Levi Haines completed the trio of breathtaking victories, rallying from a 6-0 first-period deficit to pin Virginia Tech's Bryce Andonian in the third period.

Whew.

All three wrestlers became first-time All-Americans, joining Roman Bravo-Young (133), Carter Starocci (174), Aaron Brooks (184) and heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet in Friday night's semifinals at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Max Dean (197) remained in contention for his fourth NCAA medal, winning two consolation bouts to push the Lions' session record to 9-0.

And Penn State took a commanding lead in the team standings, distancing itself from second-place Iowa 78-48. The Lions are seeking their 10th NCAA wrestling title in 12 years.

The quarterfinal breakdown.

133: Roman Bravo-Young dec. Aaron Nagao (Minnesota) 4-1

Bravo-Young worked another methodical decision over Nagao to return to the semifinals. The two-time NCAA champ defeated Nagao 5-2 in the Big Ten final.

Bravo-Young (19-0) meets fourth-seeded Michael McGee (23-2) of Arizona State in the semifinals

141: Beau Bartlett dec. Cole Matthews (Pitt) 3-1 TB

Bartlett had no business winning. Matthews could have fled Bartlett's grasp and won the bout based on his tiebreaker ride. But he gave Bartlett a tiny window, and the junior used it.

Bartlett completed a takedown with 1 second left in the tiebreaker for the improbable victory. Pitt challenged the call, which was confirmed.

The sixth-seeded Bartlett (25-2) becomes a first-time semifinalist and will face second-seeded Andrew Alirez (26-0) of Northern Colorado.

149: Shayne Van Ness dec. Graham Rooks (Indiana) 10-7

Van Ness' first NCAA Tournament has been a breathtaking ride. The 12th-seeded redshirt freshman has rallied from two first-period deficits for huge wins. On Friday, Rooks took a four-point lead into the third period, when Van Ness (22-6) flipped the bout with his six-point move.

The win, Van Ness' third over Rooks this season, sent him to a semifinal matchup with three-time NCAA champ Yianni Diakomihalis (19-1) of Cornell.

157: Levi Haines pin Bryce Andonian (Virginia Tech) 6:12

Andonian jumped on Haines early, getting a takedown and four back points to take a 6-0 lead within 30 seconds. Crucially, though, Haines somehow avoided the pin, which proved to be his biggest move of the bout.

Haines worked his offense methodically and determinedly, tying the bout 8-8 with a third-period takedown. That was the last he would need. Haines turned that into third takedown of the season and a trip to the semifinals.

In the semifinal, the second-seeded freshman (24-1) faces an intriguing rematch with Nebraska's Peyton Robb. Haines defeated Robb 3-1 in sudden victory for the Big Ten title, handing Robb his only loss of the season.

174: Carter Starocci dec. Bailee O'Reilly (Minnesota) 5-2

Starocci needed no drama, continuing his march to a third NCAA title with his second win over O'Reilly this season. Starocci, who extended his win streak to 50, gets an interesting semifinal opponent.

Starocci (19-0) will fourth-seeded Chris Foca of Cornell. Foca (27-1) has two first-period pins at nationals and tested Starocci last season, falling 3-2.

184: Aaron Brooks dec. Kaleb Romero (Ohio State) 4-1

Brooks is maintaining a veteran pace at this tournament, content with taking leads and wrestling the bout pace that his opponents choose. Brooks (15-1) will meet a familiar face in the semifinals.

Brooks is 2-0 at the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina State's Trent Hidlay, winning both on razor-sharp edges. Brooks defeated Hidlay 6-4 in sudden victory in last year's semifinals and won 3-2 in the 2021 final.

Hwt: Greg Kerkvliet dec. Trent Wilger (Wisconsin) 4-0

Kerkvliet completed the quarterfinal sweep with a shutout victory, his third impressive performance of the tournament. The third-seeded Kerkvliet (29-2) meets second-seeded Wyatt Hendrickson (29-1) of Air Force in the semis. 

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.

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Mark Wogenrich
MARK WOGENRICH

Mark Wogenrich is Editor and Publisher of AllPennState, the site for Penn State news on SI's FanNation Network. He has covered Penn State sports for more than two decades across three coaching staffs and three Rose Bowls.

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