Austin Gomez Believes Penn State Wrestling Can Be Beaten - Here’s Why That Matters
Penn State wrestling is on a historic run. Dominant doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Just ask Iowa, who last night suffered the worst home defeat in the history of Carver-Hawkeye Arena - a 32-3 drubbing at the hands of the Nittany Lions. That kind of result doesn’t just happen.
It’s the product of a machine that’s been built to overwhelm, outwork, and outclass nearly every opponent that steps on the mat with them.
But not everyone is convinced that Penn State is untouchable.
Enter Austin Gomez - an Olympian, All-American, and someone who knows a thing or two about elite-level wrestling. Gomez has competed against Penn State during his time at Wisconsin and Michigan, and now, as a 65 kg Olympian representing Mexico in the 2024 Paris Games, he’s offering a different perspective. One that suggests the Nittany Lions, for all their dominance, can be beaten.
And he didn’t just say it - he laid out a roadmap.
Gomez’s Take: Respect, But No Fear
Gomez took to X (formerly Twitter) after watching Penn State dismantle Iowa in front of a stunned Carver-Hawkeye crowd. While he acknowledged Penn State’s greatness, he made it clear that greatness doesn’t equal invincibility.
“PSU - they are good but they are beatable,” Gomez wrote. “If you can withstand the hand fight and control ties you give yourself a really good chance with them and with anyone in the country.”
That’s not just a hot take - that’s a wrestler speaking from experience. The hand fight and tie control are fundamental aspects of collegiate wrestling, and Penn State thrives in those gritty exchanges. But Gomez is saying that if a wrestler can survive that initial storm - if they can stay composed, control the tempo, and dictate the ties - then they’ve got a shot.
That’s a big “if,” of course. Penn State’s lineup is stacked with guys who not only win those battles, but dominate them. Still, Gomez isn’t backing down from the idea that it’s possible.
A Critique of Iowa’s Approach
Gomez didn’t stop with Penn State. He also had some pointed thoughts about Iowa’s performance - or rather, their lack of urgency.
“Iowa: the Iowa I grew up on was looking to score 24/7 and I loved Iowa,” he wrote. “As of lately they have been boring to watch.
They didn’t give themselves a chance to win any of the matches except for a few. Keep matches close and trying to score with 30 seconds left isn’t giving yourself a chance to win.”
That’s a powerful statement, especially coming from someone with deep respect for the Hawkeye tradition. Iowa wrestling has long been synonymous with aggression, pressure, and a relentless pace.
But Gomez sees a shift - a hesitancy that wasn’t there before. And against a team like Penn State, that kind of passivity is a recipe for disaster.
You can’t wait until the final 30 seconds to flip the switch. Not when your opponent has already racked up riding time, scored the takedown, and is controlling the match from whistle to whistle.
So… Is He Right?
Here’s the thing: Penn State hasn’t lost a dual meet in over six years. That’s not just dominance - that’s dynasty-level stuff.
So on paper, it’s easy to say they’re unbeatable. But Gomez isn’t talking about paper.
He’s talking about matchups, mindset, and tactics. And in that sense, he’s not wrong.
Wrestling isn’t just about talent - it’s about execution. It’s about who can impose their style, who can win the little battles, and who can stay composed when the match gets messy. Gomez is saying that if you come in with a plan, if you can meet Penn State’s intensity and match their physicality, you’ve got a chance.
That doesn’t mean it’s likely. But it means it’s possible.
And in a sport where one takedown can swing everything, that possibility is enough to keep things interesting.
The Bottom Line
Penn State is still the gold standard in college wrestling. They’ve earned that title with years of dominance and a roster that doesn’t just win - it overwhelms.
But Austin Gomez isn’t buying into the myth of invincibility. He’s seen the Lions up close, and he believes there’s a path to beating them.
It’s narrow. It’s steep. But it’s there.
And that’s the beauty of wrestling - no matter how dominant a team looks, every match starts 0-0.