NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Penn State Wrestling

Penn State Wrestling: Bo Nickal Explains What Makes Cael Sanderson so Special

The success Penn State Wrestling has seen in the past decade plus can be attributed to several factors. But, none come even close to the No. 1 reason. Penn State wrestling has Cael Sanderson as its head coach. Through his 14 year tenure leading the Nittany Lions, the Penn State faithful have seen some incredible things […]

EXCLUSIVE: Penn State Wrestling Legend Bo Nickal on Upcoming UFC Fight, If He Could Beat Cael Sanderson, More

Bo Nickal is one of the greatest wrestlers in the illustrious history of the Penn State Wrestling program, and has gone on to become one of the most feared competitors in the UFC’s Octagon. Nickal is currently 4-0 as an ultimate fighter, ahead of his upcoming bout at UFC-290 against newcomer Val Woodburn, at the […]

Penn State Wrestling Roster Taking Shape for 2024

The dominant force that is Penn State Wrestling is now heading into its 15th season with Cael Sanderson at the helm. It’s no secret to everyone and their brother that the Nittany Lions are showing no signs of slowing down. The projected starting lineup for the 2023-2024 campaign is stacked with talented grapplers, returning All-Americans, and […]

Penn State Wrestling: Carter Starocci named Male Athlete of The Year

Penn State Wrestling has quite a propensity for acquiring awards and hardware in its history. But hey, when you’re included with the likes of all-time Nittany Lions greats such as Mike Mauti, Talor Battle, Paul Posluszny, David Taylor, Lamar Stevens, and Bo Nickals, then I would say that’s some high praise. And after finishing up his second […]

Penn State Wrestling: 5 Things to Know About Transfer Bernie Truax

When Cael Sanderson added Bernie Truax to the Penn State Wrestling Team back in April, not much was really known about the California native. Well, aside from the fact he’s a really good wrestler. But hey, finishing in the top four in each of the last three NCAA Championships tend to be a fairly decent […]

From Injury to Triumph: Robbie Howard’s Inspiring Journey For Penn State Wrestling

Delve into the inspiring journey of Robbie Howard in Penn State Wrestling. From state titles in high school to facing challenges at the national level.

Unveiling Beau Bartlett: Rising Star, Penn State Wrestling Title Contender

Each and every year Beau Bartlett has suited up for Penn State Wrestling, he has made massive improvements. And his hard work in the wrestling room has paid off with the results. This past year was the largest step forward Beau has made in Happy Valley as he slid down into the more comfortable wrestling […]

Penn State Wrestling Recruiting Dominance Continues: Meet Potential 2025 Superstars

Cael Sanderson and the Penn State Wrestling Team have been an unstoppable force on the recruiting trail the past several cycles. And for good reason. The Nittany Lions have won 10 out of the last 12 NCAA Championships, which includes back-to-back NCAA team titles in 2022 and 2023. In just the last three NCAA tournaments, Penn […]

Shayne Van Ness: Triumphs, Heartbreaks, and Glory in Penn State Wrestling Journey

This past season, Shayne Van Ness’ progress and improvement happened in front of the very eyes of Penn State Wrestling nation. Following a true freshman campaign in which Van Ness only saw action in two total matches (2-0), he was inserted into the Nittany Lion Wrestling starting lineup at 149 for the duration of the […]

Penn State Father’s Day Gift Guide 2023: The Best Gift ideas for Nittany Lion Dads

Father’s Day is right around the corner, on June 18, 2023, and you can thank the Penn State Dad in your life for all he does with his favorite Nittany Lions gear. Whether your Dad is a grill-master, the leader of your Penn State Football tailgate, or even just an avid golfer, we have the […]

Penn State Wrestling: 5 Reasons Nittany Lions Will Win 3rd Consecutive National Championship

With their run-away win this past March in Tulsa, Penn State Wrestling took home its second straight NCAA title and their 10th in the past 12 NCAA Championships. To say Cael Sanderson has built a dynasty in Happy Valley is a gross understatement. But, the look of the 2023-2024 Nittany Lions team could be drastically different than […]

Levi Haines Dominates Penn State Wrestling, Shatters Rankings: Inside Journey to Becoming an NCAA Champion

With the standards set by Cael Sanderson over the past decade plus, the Nittany Lions‘ 2022 recruiting class was rather ho-hum. Based on FloWrestling’s recruiting rankings from the past 12 years, Penn State Wrestling had an average class that came in at 7.6. However the 2022 group wasn’t even in the top 25. The biggest reason for […]

Dominant Penn State Wrestling Phenom Alex Facundo Poised for Redemption and Glory

Coming off a 12-3 record his redshirt freshman year where Alex Facundo finished fifth at the 2021 Clarion Open and won a title at the Mat Town Open II, and Penn State Wrestling faithful were eager to see what Facundo could do in the starting lineup. The former No. 5 overall recruit in the 2021 recruiting […]

Penn State Wrestling Star Carter Starocci Chasing History, 4th NCAA Championship Bid

Carter Starocci has a chance to do what no other Nittany Lions grappler has ever done in their storied history as he and fellow teammate, Aaron Brooks, could become the first ever four time NCAA champions for Penn State Wrestling. It’s crazy to think all-time greats like Ed Ruth, Zain Retherford, Jason Nolf, and Bo […]

Way Too Early Big Ten Wrestling Power Rankings: Can Penn State Wrestling Dominate Again?

Big Ten Wrestling Power Rankings in early early summer? Surely you can’t be serious, Chris. Yes, yes I am. And don’t call me Shirley. During the 2022-2023 season, the Big Ten saw some big changes in the pecking order as perennial doormats climbed out of the basement and several one-time wrestling powerhouses fell on hard times. So with […]

Penn State Nittany Lions Wrestling Star Aaron Brooks Making History

With his dominating win against UNI’s Parker Keckeisen in the finals of the 2023 NCAA Championships, Aaron Brooks became just the sixth member of the Penn State Nittany Lions Wrestling team to ever win three NCAA titles. And no Penn State Wrestler has ever won four individual titles. Just take a look at this incredible list […]

Penn State Nittany Lions Wrestling: How Cael Sanderson’s Reign of Success Compares to Other Dynasties

With the Cael Sanderson-led Penn State Nittany Lions Wrestling program recently locking up its 10th national championships in the past 12 tournaments, now would be a good time to start putting this into perspective. And not just from a college wrestling historical perspective, but an entire collegiate sports perspective. The dynasty Sanderson and his world […]

Penn State Wrestling: Greg Kerkvliet’s Rise to Dominance on the Mat, What’s Next for Nittany Lions’ Heavyweight

Penn State Wrestling heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet is a bad, bad man on the mat. Just ask any of the 60 opponents that Kerkvliet has mowed down since he got to campus in Happy Valley early in the 2019-2020 season. Kerk is both a massive human being, and an absolute freak athlete with the way he’s able to […]

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