The Penn State wrestling lineup for the World Team Trials is coming into motion.
As expected, Penn State is well-represented in the event, which is scheduled to take place May 16-17 in Louisville, Kentucky.
65 KG is loaded. Beau Bartlett, who wrapped up his college career this past March, will be competing. As will Bartlett’s former teammate, Shayne Van Ness, who finished third at 149, current assistant coach Nick Lee and program icon Zain Retherford. Oh, and rising freshman Marcus Blaze is also registered. He happens to be the top-ranked Class of 2025 recruit.
At 70 KG, Tyler Kasak and PJ Duke are competing. Kasak took third at the national championships in March, and Duke, who just wrapped up his senior high school season, got there by winning Bronze at last year’s U20 World Championships.
At 79 KG, a current Penn State wrestler, Levi Haines, will be going for a spot on the World Team. Both Bartlett and Haines had national championship aspirations at their respective classes (141 and 174 pounds) in folkstyle and ended up finishing in third. This will also be Bartlett’s first tournament as a married man.
At 86 KG, five-time champ Carter Starocci will be back in action.
Starocci did everything there was to do on the folkstyle level. Now, he’ll be looking to establish himself in freestyle. Also registered is Nittany Lion Wrestling Club member Kyle Dake, a four-time national champ at Cornell, four-time World Champ and two-time Olympic Bronze Medalist.
A Starocci-Dake matchup could be on the horizon.
Josh Barr still has a lot to accomplish at each level. Barr capped off a spectacular redshirt freshman season by coming within one match of winning the national title in Philly at 197. He’ll be competing at 92 KG for a spot on the World Team
