Penn State wrestling: How Josh Barr's resolve led record-setting NCAA Championships start
PHILADELPHIA − He was the Penn State wrestling starter who struggled, in a sense, to keep up with his record-setting teammates.
Josh Barr, though, may have shined brightest on the opening of these NCAA Championships in the Wells Fargo Center.
The freshman who couldn't finish his Big Ten tournament two weeks ago because of an injured left leg ...
The one who suffered yet another medical issue in his second match here on Thursday ...
The only Nittany Lion who had to rally in the final period, then win in overtime, to keep a stunningly perfect championships' opening in order.
Barr probably was pressed the hardest on a day when Penn State − the team that's captured 11 of the past 13 national titles − set a school record by winning each of its 20 opening-day matches.
The team that somehow gave up only one takedown all day and night. And that one coming, nonetheless, in the very first bout, about 10 hours before heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet ended it all with a 4-0 victory.
Barr and each of his nine teammates qualified for the quarterfinal round here on Friday afternoon. It was a remarkable performance, in total, and an exceptional effort, in particular, from the rookie who certainly wasn't at full-health in his first NCAA Championships.
After moving well enough on his injured leg in his opening 9-1 victory, Barr fell behind in his second match against Oregon State All-American Trey Munoz. Barr not only had to rally in the third period to force overtime, he had to overcome an unintentional shot to the head that placed him in concussion protocol in the second period.
He was cleared to continue and made the match-winning takedown in the "sudden victory" session, ending the 5-2 victory. Head coach Cael Sanderson was understandably impressed afterward.
"It was good. He did a great job. He's a tough kid. And, obviously, the matches just get bigger and tougher but good start just to know and have confidence that you can go out and compete hard against the best."
Penn State wrestling: How Lions dominated like never before
These championships began early Thursday afternoon with Braeden Davis at 133 pounds. The up-and-down sophomore who's battled his own injuries this season promptly gave up a takedown and fell behind early. He rallied quickly, though, and pulled away for the major decision.
A Penn State wrestler, incredibly enough, would not allow another takedown, and few scoring moves at all, over the final 19 matches.
Penn State senior Carter Starocci, sophomore Mitchell Mesenbrink and freshman Luke Lilledahl led the way, each with a pair of technical falls.
The Lions now lead the team points race with 39.5, comfortably ahead of second-place Nebraska (28), Oklahoma State (27) and the rest of the field. Consider how PSU suffered two opening-round defeats at last year's nationals in Kansas City and still ended up breaking the NCAA record for points (172.5).
This beginning was even better.
"We're feeling good, but you're always on to the next thing," Sanderson said, downplaying the opening success. "You kind of think your guys are going to do well and win and expect that but, obviously, it doesn't always happen.
"I don't know if we wrestled our absolute best but our guys wrestled well enough to advance, and that's the most important thing."
Advance, they all did. It's the first time the Lions will send 10 wrestlers into the quarterfinal round.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State wrestling for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Josh Barr, Penn State wrestling dominate Day 1 of NCAA Championships
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