In a thrilling showdown in State College, Penn State's wrestling team demonstrated why they're the top-ranked squad in the nation, dominating No. 2 Ohio State with a decisive 36-5 victory. The spotlight shone brightly on two young wrestlers who delivered standout performances: true freshman Marcus Blaze and redshirt freshman Cole Mirasola.
Mirasola, wrestling in the 285-pound category, earned the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors after pulling off a stunning upset against Ohio State's star, Nick Feldman. Feldman, who was ranked third, couldn't hold off Mirasola's relentless drive, culminating in a 4-1 sudden victory.
This win not only boosted Mirasola's season record to an impressive 13-4 but also catapulted him to No. 6 in the latest InterMat wrestling rankings. His decisive overtime takedown was the clincher, showcasing his grit and skill on the mat.
Meanwhile, Marcus Blaze continued to impress with his unbeaten streak in the 133-pound division. Blaze faced a formidable opponent in Ben Davino, who came into the match with an unblemished record and a No. 2 ranking.
In a nail-biting overtime finish, Blaze secured a 3-2 victory via a tiebreaker on a reversal, earning him the Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolade. This victory not only preserved Blaze's perfect 18-0 season record but also propelled him to the No. 2 spot in his weight class.
As Penn State (14-0) wraps up its dual meet season against Princeton (4-10) tonight at Rec Hall, the performances of Mirasola and Blaze serve as a testament to the depth and talent within the Nittany Lions' roster. With such promising young talent leading the charge, Penn State's wrestling future looks incredibly bright.