Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson says two of the Nittany Lions’ injured stars are on track to be ready when the season gets rolling.
Tyler Kasak, who projects to start at 157 pounds, and Josh Barr at 197 both missed time after injuries at the U.S. Open in April. Sanderson said Tuesday at PSU’s local media day in Rec Hall that the setbacks were short-term and that both wrestlers have been back at it for a while.
“They’re both doing fine,” Sanderson said. “They were temporary injuries, weeks, not months. They’ve both been back competing hard for a while.”
Kasak’s path back into the lineup looks straightforward on paper. FloWrestling has him ranked No. 2 at 157, behind defending national champ Landon Robindeau from Oklahoma State. Last season, he sat out as a redshirt behind freshman standout PJ Duke.
This year, Duke is ranked No. 1 at 165, which clears the way for Kasak to return to his expected weight.
“It was tough redshirting Tyler last year because he’s such a competitor,” Sanderson said. “He’s a big-match guy.”
“He’s fun to have in the lineup because he’s fun to watch wrestle,” Sanderson said. “He’s just a tough kid. It’s nice to have him back.”
Barr’s return matters just as much. Sanderson’s comments suggested the 197-pounder is fully back after his injury, and his presence gives Penn State another proven weapon as the season nears.
Barr would have had a strong argument to be the best pound-for-pound wrestler in the country last year if not for teammate Mitchell Mesenbrink. Mesenbrink is back too, projected to move from 165 to 174, which makes Barr’s chase for his first Hodge even steeper.
Still, that’s the kind of challenge Penn State keeps stacking up.
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