Penn State declaws Wildcats, 45-3

So, that was a dual that definitely happened.

Penn State wrestling returned to Rec Hall on Sunday (first time, long time) to take on the Northwestern Wildcats. The ‘Cats program has fallen apart in recent years and as much was evident as they were forced to forfeit at two weights today as their wrestlers failed skin checks.

The dual started at 125 with freshman Nick Suriano picking up a win by fall over Anthony Rubinetti at 3:10. Up at 133 George Carpenter slid back into the lineup for Tristan Law and fell 4-3 over Jason Ipsarides.

Up at 141 Jimmy Gulibon continued to look confident and impressive as he easily dispatched of Alex McKenna via tech fall (20-5) at the 5:24 mark. Zain Retherford then picked up a win by forfeit at 149 to make the lead 17-3.

At 157 Jason Nolf earned a pinfall victory at 3:39 over Ben Sullivan after some, let’s call it questionable, refereeing in the first period.

The star of the dual was senior Caleb Livingston who got the go ahead at 165. Livingston overpowered Northwestern’s Anthony Petrone to pick up the pin at the 2:19 mark of the first period.

Mark Hal followed with another win via forfeit at 174.

At 184 Bo Nickal sleepwalked through his bout against Mitch Sliga, picking up a 10-1 major decision victory after nearly earning the fall with a last-second nearside cradle.

Matt McCutcheon put a hurtin’ on the Wildcats’ Jacob Berkowitz, 10-3, to complete a strong weekend for Mouse. Finally, up at 285, Nick Nevills decided he was gonna play around and almost get pinned in the third period but eventually held on to win 5-4 after the riding time point was added.

In all, Penn State steamrolled Northwestern though I can’t imagine Cael Sanderson will be happy with the performances at 184 and 285. That being said, it’s a results business and both continue to pick up victories, as the does the team as it remains undefeated on the year heading into a massive matchup with Ohio State in Columbus on Friday.

Ridge Riley OW: Caleb Livingston is the easy call here for outstanding wrestler. The senior got a chance to shine in front of the home crowd and took full advantage.

Results:

125: Nick Suriano (PSU) WBF. Anthony Rubinetti (NW), 3:10 / 6-0.

133: Jason Ipsarides (NW) Dec. George Carpenter (PSU), 4-3 / 6-3.

141: Jimmy Gulibon (PSU) TF. Alex McKenna (NW), 20-5 (5:24) / 11-3.

149: Zain Retherford (PSU) winner by forfeit. 17-3.

157: Jason Nolf (PSU) WBF. Ben Sullivan (NW), 3:39 / 23-3.

165: Caleb Livingston (PSU) WBF. Anthony Petrone (NW), 2:19 / 29-3

174: Mark Hall (PSU) winner by forfeit. 35-3.

184: Bo Nickal (PSU) Maj. Decision Mitch Sliga (NW), 10-1 / 39-3.

197: Matt McCutcheon (PSU) Dec. Jacob Berkowitz (NW), 10-3 / 42-3.

285: Nick Nevills (PSU) Dec. Conan Jennings (NW), 5-4 / 45-3,