Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1486024
4 6 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M to free his legs and slip around for the clinching takedown. Primary challenges along Kerkvliet's path to 2023 NCAA glory are Cassioppi, Arizona State's top-ranked Cohl- ton Schultz, Missouri's Zach Elam and Michigan's Mason Parris. There are a handful of other heavyweights who are ably qualified to present challenges as well, but they don't reside in the elite c a te go r y o f t h e a f o r e m e n t i o n e d foursome. Kerkvliet is 3-1 against Parris. In fact, his 6-1 victory over the Michigan wrestler in the 2022 NCAA consola- tion round provided Penn State with the points it needed to clinch its ninth team championship in 11 years. He's 0-1 against Schultz, but that loss came during his first season when he didn't join the starting lineup until late in the campaign because of an ongoing infection and was not in wrestling shape. He's not yet faced Elam. Overall, he claims he's ready. "I just see it in my wrestling. People here are telling me all the time that I'm just growing in every aspect — size, strength, wrestling ability," Kerkvliet said. "I'm just confident in myself. I've improved a lot on top, on my feet, on bottom. I'm just com- mitted to wrestling well." It's difficult not to be committed while in the Penn State wrestling room. In Kerkvliet's case, he gets to work out with Olympic and world champion Kyle Snyder, accomplished small-school heavyweight Ceron Francisco and two Penn State coaches who just happen to own Olympic gold medals, Sanderson and Jake Varner. When Snyder left the Ohio State re- gional training center for the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, Kerkvliet trans- ferred to Penn State from Ohio State be- fore using any eligibility. Kerkvliet also has a room full of tal- ented wrestlers around him from whom to learn, and many are between 120 and 70 pounds lighter than he is. "You go out there and you watch Ro- man [Bravo-Young, 133 pounds], you go watch Carter [Starocci, 174] or Aaron [Brooks, 184], even Shayne Van Ness [149] — those guys are always wrestling through positions," he said. "They're really good. … When some people might stop in the action, they keep going, and that's why they win those positions. They're hand fighting hard. "You can learn a lot from all those guys. From top to bottom, they're all guys that you can take so m e t h i n g f ro m . They're all guys you can learn and grow from." The growth pro- cess as a wrestler has been continuous, and the same can be said for the work that Kerkvliet has put in to develop himself physically. "I just try to eat everything," he said. "Eating every two hours, getting a meal in or a snack in. Usually a steak or pasta — that's my go-to." Sanderson likes to see the continued growth on the mat. "I just think, over- all, Greg is getting better and better," the coach said. "He's just very physically talented, and he's been working really hard and has been very committed. He wants to be the best in the world. That comes through small steps, and that's what we're seeing out of him." ■ Sanderson Content With Penn State's Wrestling Facilities With Ohio State competing and training in new facilities and Iowa about ready to build a wres- tling-specific training center, some people have naturally wondered whether Penn State might be thinking about making some upgrades of its own. Coach Cael Sanderson said the Nittany Lions already have everything they need. "I get asked that occasionally, but I think our facilities are fine," he said. "Sixteen years ago, when they were put in, they were the best. We've slid down the line a little bit, but I don't think our facilities are going to determine whether we're competing for national titles or not. "It's more about the people in the program and the kids we have in the program. To me, it's more about taking care of our kids right now and taking care of our staff. Facilities are kind of down the line for me." Decisions about facilities moving forward will be made by Patrick Kraft, Penn State's new vice president for intercollegiate athletics. He and Sanderson already have bonded. It didn't hurt that Kraft upon his arrival labeled Sanderson as the GOAT, or greatest of all time. "We're blessed to have him here," Sanderson said of Kraft. "It's just his determination and focus, his problem-solving attitude and setting a high standard as far as competition and what's expected. It's been really exciting. He wants to be the best athletic department in the country and doesn't see any reason why we can't. And I think that's awesome; it's inspiring." — Jim Carlson "Greg is still one of those guys who's figuring out how good he really is, and I think he's really good." C A E L S A N D E R S O N O N K E R K V L I E T 2022-23 WRESTLING SCHEDULE Nov. 11 LOCK HAVEN W, 44-3 Nov. 20 Black Knight Open* Individ. only Dec. 2 at Rider 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Lehigh 2 p.m. Dec. 11 OREGON STATE 2 p.m. (ESPNU) Dec. 19-20 Collegiate Wrestling Duals** TBA Jan. 6 at Wisconsin 9 p.m. (BTN) Jan. 20 MICHIGAN 7 p.m. (BTN) Jan. 22 MICHIGAN STATE 1 p.m. Jan. 27 IOWA 8:30 p.m. (BTN) Feb. 3 at Ohio State 7 p.m. (BTN) Feb. 5 at Indiana 1 p.m. Feb. 10 at Rutgers 7 p.m. Feb. 12 MARYLAND 1 p.m. Feb. 19 CLARION 1 p.m. Mar. 4-5 Big Ten Tournament^ TBA Mar. 16-18 NCAA Tournament # TBA * at West Point, N.Y.; ** at New Orleans; ^ at Ann Arbor, Mich.; # at Tulsa, Okla.