By Ed Muniz-Photos by Renee Kaspar
**Additional Photos may be seen at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p142115992**
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Entering the final session of the B1G wrestling Championships, two teams were in contention for the team title.
Penn St. hed a slight lead over the Iowa Hawkeys. Each had several wrestlers vying for titles but Iowa would need some help as they were doubled in finalist by the Nitanny Lions 6-3.
Unfortunately for Iowa, they would not go head to head with any of the Penn St. finalist.
After all the wrestling was done, Penn St. would capture its’ Seventh Championship and first since 2019 winning the 2023 title with 147 points. They would be followed by Iowa at 134.5, Nebraska with 104.5, followed by Ohio St. in fourth with 99 and Michagan in fifth with 84.5 pounts.
Penn St. would capture titles in four of their six bouts while Iowa won two of three.
Spencer Lee of Iowa captured a third B1G title at 125 becoming the first to do that for Iowa. He has won three national titles and in quest a fourth this season. He defeated Nebraska’s Liam Cronin 8-2 which turned out to be his closest match of the tournament.
At 133, Roman Bravo-Young won his third B1G title after a 5-2 decision over Aaron Nagao of Minnesota. The bout was entertaining but a stealthy Bravo-Young held on for the win.
Iowa’s Reel Woods had a tough bout against Nebraska’s Brock Hardy. The close bout became very exciting as the time wound down with Hardy in leg control and Woods fighting off the takedown attempt as the bout concluded. Woods won a 2-1 decision and took home his first B1G and Iowa’s second title.
Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso won a close 7-5 decision over Minnesota’s Michael Blockhus at 149. It turned out to be Sasso’s second B1G title.
A sudden victory decided the Championship at 157. Freshman and once beaten Levi Haines of Penn St., upset Top Ranked’ Peyton Robb of Nebraska. The 3-1 sudden victory surprised many in attendance but not Haines, as he displayed and yelled on the mat after his win.
Wisconsin’s top-seed Dean Hamiti captured the title at 165, defeating Iowa’s Patrick Kennedy. The 9-6 vivtory was as exciting as it gets with both wrestlers finding points back and forth. The Badgers once again had a titlist at 165 after several years.
A battle of unbeatens took place at 174. Penn State’s Carter Starocci and Mikey Labriola of Nebraska had not tasted defeat all year. After cruising to a 6-1 decision win, Starocci stood alone in the B1G and remained unbeaten heading into the NCAA Championships..
Penn State’s Aaron Brooks was as dominant a finalist as there’s ever been. Brooks dispatched Ohio State’s Kaleb Romero in the 184 Championship. Brooks 12-2 Major Decision showed the country what a force he is and will be in Tulsa. He also won a third B1G title.
The 197 Championship Title went to Nebraska Freshman’ Silas Allred after his 6-3 decision over Penn State’s Max Dean. Allred won the first title at 197 for the Cornhuskers.
The Finale of the tournament saw unbeaten heavyweight Mason Parris of Michigan takeon Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet. As the top ranked 285-pounder in the nation, Parris was expected to dominate his opponent, no one told Kerkvliet and the bout went down to the wire.
A takedown in Overtime by Parris captured Michigan a 285 title for the first time since the late 90’s and continued his unbeaten streak.
B1G Wrestler of the Year went to Spencer Lee of Iowa. Coach of the Year went to Cael Sanderson of Penn St. Penn St. also saw Levi Haines collect the Freshman of the Year award.
At the conclusion of all the bouts, Awards were dished out.
The 2023 B1G Championship Most Outstanding Wrestler was awarded to Spencer Lee of Iowa.
