Penn State wrestling injury update: How does Josh Barr look for NCAA Championships?
The ever-dominant Penn State wrestling team now appears to be at full-health for this week's NCAA Championships in Philadelphia.
Freshman star Josh Barr, who couldn't finish the recent Big Ten Championships because of injury, will be ready to go when the tournament begins Thursday afternoon in the Wells Fargo Center, according to Penn State coach Cael Sanderson.
Barr was the Nittany Lions' starter all season at 197 pounds and was ranked No. 2 nationally heading into the league tournament two weekends ago at Northwestern. There, he lost one close match, then had to be helped from the mat during his next after suffering an undisclosed left leg injury.
His status is key to not only the Lions running away with their 12th national title in 14 years but also reaching or tying NCAA records, such as each of their 10 of their starters earning All-America status.
"Josh has been working really hard. And, we’ve got Dan Monthley as our trainer. I can’t imagine there’s a better trainer in the world. He’s put a lot of time and effort in (with Barr), Sanderson told reporters Monday in State College.
"Josh is going to be ready to scrap on Thursday. He's looking good."
Barr, who is 16-3 during his rookie season, lost only twice on the mat − a close match to former No. 1 Stephen Buchanan of Iowa, the other in overtime to NCAA top seed Jacob Cardenas of Michigan. His other defeat came by medical forfeit in the league tournament.
Barr is seeded fourth in the NCAA Championships, also behind No. 3 AJ Ferrari of Cal State Bakersfield. His opening Thursday NCAA match will be against No. 29 seed Tucker Hogan of Lock Haven.
Barr and 133-pound starter Braeden Davis, who also has battle injury this season, are keys to what figures to be the deepest, most balanced team yet under Sanderson − if not his overall best. The Lions, who expect to wrap up the team title by Friday night's semifinals, will be watched closely for reaching or breaking NCAA records for All-Americans (10), finalists (six), individual champions (five) and team points (172.5), which they set just last year.
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: Penn State wrestling: Josh Barr injury update for NCAA Championships
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