Penn State Wrestling is About to Go On a Revenge Tour at the Big Ten Championships
It might be cliche to say seasons are long but cliches are born from repetition. During this long season, wrestlers suffer injuries, have off nights, or just lose a close match with a similarly ranked opponent. Dynasties as good as Penn State Wrestling have to navigate some speed bumps and pitfalls on the road to the postseason.
Even though the Nittany Lions went undefeated as a team in dual meets, the following wrestlers lost their matchup and will be looking for their revenge during the Big Ten Championships.
Here’s a look at the Penn State Wrestling stars looking to bounce back from a defeat earlier this season, during this weekend’s 2025 Big Ten Wrestling Championships.
Braedon Davis vs Jacob Van Dee (133lbs)
On a tough night in Lincoln Nebraska, No. 5 ranked Braeden Davis lost via decision in a battle with No. 16 Ranked Jacob Van Dee. Davis had been dealing with an injury prior to the contest which could have been a factor in the match.
Coming into the Big Ten Championships, Davis is rested and pre-seeded 4th, looking to reverse the outcome should he face the No. 6 in pre-seeding Van Dee.
Shayne Van Ness vs Ridge Lovett (149lbs)
Credit – Lloyd McCully
On the same night in Lincoln, a top 5 matchup between No. 2 Shayne Van Ness and No. 4 Ridge Lovett at 149lbs ended in a major decision (10-2) for Lovett. The Penn State standout reeled off wins the rest of the Big Ten dual season including a major decision over No. 2 Ranked Kyle Parco of Iowa.
In the pre-seeding for the B1G’s, Van Ness comes in the top spot and Lovett No. 3. This means the rematch would be in the finals.
With a chance to secure his first B1G title on the line you would expect Van Ness to have more than enough motivation for his get back against Lovett.
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Josh Barr Vs Stephen Buchanan (197lbs)
Credit – Lloyd McCully
At home against No. 1 ranked Stephen Buchanan, No. 4 Josh Barr stayed even 1-1 until a late scramble led to a Buchanan takedown and an eventual 5-1 win over the freshman Barr.
A win is always the goal but if there are moral wins this is a good candidate for that title. Barr went on to prove his status against No. 2 Jacob Cardenas of Michigan by taking the 3-2 win in TB-1.
Coming in pre-seeded 1 and 2 respectively, Buchanan and Barr are on a collision course for the B1G Championship. Barr looks to take what he learned in other big wins to get the biggest win of his young Penn State Wrestling career.
MORE Penn State Wrestling News from NittanyCentral:
- Penn State’s Path to Winning the Big Ten Wrestling Championship
- Relive Carter Starocci’s Rec Hall Curtain Call
- Penn State Wrestling Recruiting: Top Targets to Watch in 2026
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