The 2024 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials are underway at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. The two-day event will determine who will represent the United States at the Paris Summer Olympics.
Sixteen past, present and future Nittany Lions will represent Penn State wrestling at the Olympic Trials. Update on their progress on Day 1 of the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials.
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Carter Starocci scores the first goal.
Carter Starocci's move to the 86kg freestyle class has sparked a lot of curious reactions within wrestling circles. Just five weeks after winning the NCAA title despite a knee injury, will Starocci be able to compete at a competitive level? That's a great start. MMA competitor Pat Downey led Starocci 4-1 with two minutes left in the second period, but the bout was stopped because Downey was slow to get to his feet. Starocci took over after the break. He scored 11 straight points with repeated takedowns and won a commanding 12-4. Starocci took advantage of Downey's fatigue and pulled off a six-point move right after the stoppage. Starocci's conditioning seems to be strong.
Alex Facundo defeats Penn State teammate Levi Haynes
Penn State teammates Levi Haynes, a two-time NCAA finalist and 2024 champion, and Alex Facundo, who redshirted this season, immediately started competing in the 74kg challenge tournament. Facundo, who has been freestyle wrestling all season, outclassed Haynes and won 6-0. Noting the difference between folkstyle and freestyle, Facundo scored his first point when Haynes was ticking the time and did not score.
Beau Bartlett wins the opening game.
Penn State's Beau Bartlett defeated Nashon Garrett 10-6 in the 65kg freestyle in the first round of the challenge tournament. Bartlett made an early four-point move and evaded Garrett's retaliatory attack for the win. Bartlett, an NCAA runner-up at 141 pounds, will face Andrew Alirez in the second round of the challenge tournament. Alires defeated Bartlett 4-3 in the 2023 NCAA semifinals.
Future Nittany Lions win early.
Connor Mirasola, a four-time Wisconsin state champion and a member of Penn State's 2024 roster, opened the 86kg challenge tournament with an impressive 4-0 victory over David McFadden. Mirasola fended off a late takedown attempt and scored, earning a shutout victory. Milarola's next match is his second round matchup against Aaron Brooks, his four-time champion at Penn State.
AllPennState is your destination for Penn State news, opinions and perspectives on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles, and an impressive catalog of articles. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich.
