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From Mirror reports
UNIVERSITY PARK -- Five Penn State Nittany Lion wrestlers took part in the 2023 National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic on Tuesday night at Rec Hall.
The All-Star Classic featured a lineup of 10 collegiate bouts featuring 20 of the nation's top wrestlers from around the country, as well as four women's freestyle showcases. For Penn State, All-Americans Shayne Van Ness, Carter Starocci, Bernie Truax, Aaron Brooks and Greg Kerkvliet took part. A total of four exhibition matches took place, including four women's freestyle bouts and 10 men's collegiate matches.
Van Ness, ranked No. 2 at 149, met No. 3 Kyle Parco of Arizona State. The duo battled evenly for the opening minute with Van Ness staying on attack. Eventually, Parco managed a late escape, but Van Ness rolled to a 5-1 win with 1:39 in riding time.
Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 174, met No. 3 Mekhi Lewis of Virginia Tech. Starocci moved in on a high single at the 2:15 mark and fought for a takedown but Lewis battled through the shot and kept action neutral at 1:30. They ended up tied at 0-0 after one. Starocci ended up with a late takedown as the third period ended. He picked up 1:54 in riding time to roll to an 11-0 major decision.
Truax, ranked No. 2 at 184, took on No. 1 Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa. He battled Keckeisen into the third period, but the Northern Iowa wrestler hit a late takedown to post the come-from-behind 7-4 win.
Brooks, ranked No. 1 at 197, met No. 3 Tanner Sloan of South Dakota State. The duo battled evenly for the first minute-plus with neither wrestler finding an advantage. Brooks had a 4-0 lead in the second period en route to an 11-2 major decision.
Kerkvliet, ranked No. 1 at 285, took on No. 2 Wyatt Hendrickson of Air Force. Kerkvliet struck quickly, working his way into control for a takedown and then throwing Hendrickson for a four-point nearfall. He built a 15-2 lead before getting an 18-2 technical fall at the 4:48 mark.
The Nittany Lions are off until Sunday, Dec. 3 when they host Lehigh at Rec Hall at 2 p.m.