As Penn State's top-ranked wrestling team prepares to host Princeton this Friday at 7 p.m., they stand on the brink of a remarkable sixth consecutive unbeaten season. The Nittany Lions, currently 14-0, are eyeing their 15th win of the season, which would mark their 86th consecutive victory and potentially their eighth shutout of the year.
Princeton, with a 4-10 overall record and 2-3 in the Ivy League, faces a daunting challenge. This year, the Ivy League has introduced its own NCAA qualifying tournament, stepping away from the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association.
Senior Night will see some farewells, though not many, as Levi Haines, the No. 1-ranked 174-pounder from Biglerville High, is the only starter set to leave the lineup. Lucas Cochran and Sam Beckett might also participate in the Senior Night walk, though Cochran returned for a fifth season after walking last year.
Coach Cael Sanderson reflected on the significance of this moment, saying, “We don’t have a lot of guys walking, which is good for the program. This is a special group of guys that will be walking, and they’ve obviously meant a lot to the program. The last four or five years they’ve been here have been remarkable.”
Penn State’s dominance is underscored by their recent 36-5 triumph over No. 2 Ohio State, featuring three overtime victories and a nail-biter decided by a single point. This resilience and skill have defined their season and set the stage for a strong postseason.
Sanderson emphasized the focus on sharpening their skills, stating, “A big match on Friday, so one more match, and then we’ll start focusing on the postseason.”
Princeton, coached by former NCAA champ Joe Dubuque, is coming off a 28-9 loss to Rutgers. However, standout performances by Ethan Rivera at 133 and Holden Garcia at 174, who both secured upsets, provide some bright spots.
Historically, Penn State leads the series against Princeton 13-4-1, a rivalry dating back to 1916 but dormant since 1952. Given the Lions' formidable record this season-winning 129 out of 140 bouts, scoring 580 points, and allowing only 39-Princeton might find the return to this historic matchup a tough one.
With bonus points in 99 of those victories and an overwhelming 447 takedowns to their opponents’ 40, Penn State’s prowess is clear. As they step onto the mat this Friday, the Nittany Lions are not just defending a legacy; they're continuing to build one.