Wrestling Power Clash: No. 1 Penn State Hosts No. 2 Ohio State in Season-Defining Dual
The Bryce Jordan Center is about to host a showdown that wrestling fans have had circled on the calendar for months. No.
1 Penn State and No. 2 Ohio State are set to collide Friday night in a dual meet that carries not just bragging rights, but major implications for the Big Ten team championship.
And given the stakes, this might be the most anticipated dual either program has wrestled in years.
Ohio State enters the meet undefeated and riding high after a gritty win over No. 8 Iowa on Senior Night in Columbus. The Buckeyes have looked like Penn State’s top challenger ever since they captured the National Duals title back in November - and as we head into the heart of February, that storyline hasn’t changed.
This isn’t just a battle of two elite programs - it’s a night loaded with marquee matchups, including a No. 1 vs. No. 2 individual clash at 125 pounds and a pair of must-watch showdowns at 133 and 174. Let’s break down the three bouts that could swing the balance of this heavyweight team battle.
**125 Pounds: No. 1 Luke Lilledahl vs.
No. 2 Nic Bouzakis**
When you get a top-ranked team dual, you hope for top-ranked individual matchups - and this one delivers. Luke Lilledahl and Nic Bouzakis are two of the most electrifying lightweights in the country, and Friday night could be their first collegiate meeting.
Lilledahl has been nothing short of dominant in his true freshman campaign. After winning the Big Ten title and finishing third nationally last year, he’s taken another step forward.
He’s 15-1 this season, unbeaten in duals, and piling up bonus points in 71% of his wins. His most eye-popping result?
A 21-5 tech fall over Michigan’s Diego Sotelo - a statement win if there ever was one.
Bouzakis, a fellow Wyoming Seminary alum, has been every bit as impressive. He’s 12-1 with a 61% bonus rate and just knocked off Iowa’s Dean Peterson with a 9-5 decision.
He’s physical, explosive, and has the kind of style that could give Lilledahl problems - if he’s healthy. Bouzakis was seen holding his lower back after that win over Peterson, so his status is something to keep an eye on.
If both guys take the mat, this has “Match of the Night” written all over it.
174 Pounds: Haines vs. Kharchla
Few wrestlers in the country have been as consistently dominant as Penn State’s Haines this season. He’s 17-0 with an 82% bonus rate and has barely been tested.
His last outing? A 19-4 tech fall over Michigan’s Beau Mantanona, who came in ranked No.
- That’s the kind of performance that puts you in the Hodge Trophy conversation.
But don’t sleep on Ohio State’s Kharchla. He’s 14-3 with a solid 53% bonus rate and has been tested against top-tier competition all season.
His most recent bout was a nail-biter against No. 3 Patrick Kennedy, which he dropped 2-1.
That shows he can hang with the best - and Haines is the best.
What makes Haines so dangerous isn’t just his offense - it’s his ability to grind. Just ask Nebraska’s Christopher Minto, ranked No. 4, who pushed Haines to the edge in a thrilling 8-6 match at the BJC on Jan.
- Haines found a way to win that one, and he might need to dig deep again against a battle-tested Kharchla.
133 Pounds: Blaze vs. Davino
This one’s a battle of blue-chip freshmen - and it could be a preview of national finals to come. Both Blaze and Davino are undefeated.
Both have been racking up bonus points. And both are about to face their toughest test yet.
Davino has the edge in experience after redshirting last year, and it shows in his poise. He’s 22-0 across all competitions with a 63% bonus rate. His most recent challenge came against Iowa’s Drake Ayala, ranked No. 9, and Davino handled it with a 4-2 win that showed he can win the close ones.
Then there’s Blaze - the former high school phenom who’s lived up to every bit of the hype. He’s 17-0 with an eye-popping 88% bonus rate.
That’s not just winning - that’s dominating. His pace, pressure, and ability to turn defense into offense make him a nightmare matchup, even for someone as technically sound as Davino.
This is the kind of clash that could tilt the dual and give fans a glimpse of the future of 133 in college wrestling.
What’s at Stake
This dual isn’t just about rankings or individual accolades - it’s about momentum heading into the postseason. Penn State has been the gold standard in college wrestling for over a decade, but Ohio State has the firepower to push them. Every match matters, every point counts, and the atmosphere at the BJC is going to be electric.
Friday night isn’t just a dual meet. It’s a statement opportunity - for both teams, and for some of the sport’s brightest young stars. Buckle up.