The Wisconsin Badgers wrestling team (3-4 Big Ten, 10-4 overall) couldn’t overcome a tough Penn State squad (6-1 Big Ten, 9-2 overall), falling 29-10 conference lost late Friday night. Wisconsin picked up impressive wins early with freshman Eric Barnett at 125lbs, No. 1 Seth Gross at 133lbs, and Garrett Model at 157lbs.
They were leading Cael Sanderson’s Nittany Lions at the halfway point, but then lost five straight matches coming out of the break, as well as forfeiting the final match.
However, the match of the night was well worth the hype, as the victory of Wisconsin’s No. 1 Seth Gross over Penn State’s No.2 Roman Bravo-Young was hard-fought, with Bravo-Young almost coming up with the upset in the closing seconds.
This loss builds on the negative narrative that some Wisconsin fans have been thinking all season. Although Wisconsin has looked impressive at times, they still cannot contend with the elite teams in the conference.
“We knew going into the match we had to win all the toss ups and we didn't get 149 or we thought 184 we could get in there and that hurt us but other than that we're still fighting,” head coach Chris Bono said after the match. “We came out healthy and we've gotta have a short-term memory getting ready for Michigan State.”
With Michigan State also coming to Madison on Sunday, No. 4 Tristan Moran, No. 13 Cole Martin, and No. 4 Evan Wick will have to perform better in order for the Badgers to pick up the dual win and put them back at .500 in the Big Ten.
