Penn State wrestling: Where are the Lions in Intermat's preseason rankings?
Nine Penn State wrestlers found a home in Intermat’s preseason rankings ahead of the 2022-2023 slate. Only one weight class, 157 pounds, did not feature a Nittany Lions representative. And, because of that, head coach Cael Sanderson’s program was ranked as the top tournament and dual team by the wrestling outlet.
Here’s where Penn State is in the first rundown of the year.
Four Nittany Lions take top spot
Defending national champions Roman Bravo-Young (133 pounds), Carter Starocci (174), Aaron Brooks (184), and Max Dean (197) were all ranked No. 1 in their respective weight classes. That should come as little surprise, as all four members of the highly-successful Penn State quartet are favored to win gold again this year.
Daton Fix of Oklahoma State is back at No. 2 with hopes of knocking RBY off the top podium at 133.
At 174, the second-ranked wrestler is Mehki Lewis of Virginia Tech. Starocci beat him to win last year’s title.
Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa ranks second behind Brooks after finishing third two years in a row at NCAAs.
Finally, Oklahoma State’s AJ Ferrari is No. 2 behind Dean. He hopes to return to the mat after a car accident ended his season early a year ago. It’s also worth noting that former Penn State wrestler Michael Beard, who transferred to Lehigh, is No. 9 at 197.
Kerkvliet checks in at No. 2
Heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet finished third at NCAAs to become a two-time All-American at Penn State. He is hoping to get a national championship in year three. But, he’ll have to go top-ranked Colton Schultz of Arizona State, among many others, if he wants to do it. Intermat ranked Schultz but no other wrestlers ahead of Kerkvliet. It’s another big year for the big men of the Big Ten, as Michigan returns third-ranked Mason Parris while Iowa has fourth-ranked Tony Cassioppi back.
Four Penn State wrestlers are outside the top 10
Four Penn State wrestlers were ranked outside of the top 10.
Beau Bartlett, who is dropping from 149 pounds to 141 this year, is ranked No. 17 at his new weight. Second-year Penn State wrestler Shayne Van Ness, then, is No. 29 at 149 pounds, while classmate Alex Facundo is No. 24.
Last but not least, 125-pounder Robbie Howard returns from injury and is ranked No. 18 at this early juncture.
The 2022-2023 Penn State wrestling schedule has not yet been released. However, it could come out any day.
