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Ironhead Unpacks Penn State Wrestling’s Season, Offers Predictions for NCAA Championships

Jeff Byers has served as the radio voice of Penn State wrestling for the last 32 years, and in that capacity he’s been a first-hand observer as the Nittany Lions won eight of the last nine NCAA team championships. 

It’s safe to say that Byers knows the look of a prospective championship team. And it’s sad to say that he’s not looking at Penn State when predicting the 2021 winner.

Byers, known to his friends as “Ironhead,” has his eyes fixed solidly on the Hawkeyes as the likely top team at this weekend’s NCAA tournament. “Iowa,” says Byers, “is just so, so strong. Top to bottom.”

But those who love the Lions can also take heart from Byers’ current observations. When I sat down with him for our annual pre-NCAA interview, Ironhead made it clear that he’s bullish on the very young lineup that has emerged under Coach Cael Sanderson. Here are the highlights of our conversation last week at Quaker Steak & Lube, home of my favorite cheeseburger.  

It was a year ago today when we learned that the NCAA Wrestling Championships were canceled.  What difference does a year make?

Byers:  The big difference, obviously, is that we’re going to have, we think, the NCAA championships to watch this year. I think that’s pretty special for the kids and the programs and the fans involved. I think it’s obviously been a challenging year for everybody. But I think for the student athletes, it’s been great that they’ve had the opportunity to compete, even while missing out on the opportunity to wrestle—in Penn State’s case—in front of thousands of fans. So I guess you have to balance it all out. You take what circumstances give you and you go with it.

You say “presumably,” but I hope it’s for sure. 

Byers:  Until they actually wrestle, I’m not going to count my chickens before they’re hatched.

Last year, Iowa was a strong favorite to capture the team title when the whole thing was canceled. You expressed sympathy then for the Hawkeyes who lost their chance to win the championship. How do you feel now about the boys from Iowa?

Byers:  They are an absolutely loaded team and I think they are very grateful for the opportunity to win a title that they should have won a year ago.  It’s such a veteran team and I think that they have earned everything they have right now in terms of their status as the overwhelming favorite to win the national championship.

I was cruising along University Drive on the day before the Big Tens began, and just as I passed Bryce Jordan Center, lo and behold, there’s the Iowa Hawkeye bus going the other direction—probably for their morning workout. My sadistic sense of humor started thinking of things I should have done. What are your thoughts?

Byers:  I don’t know. Probably stay out of their way because that’s a pretty tough group of individuals right there.

That’s good advice. Meanwhile, how would you describe Penn State’s chance of pulling an upset to take the team title at NCAA Nationals? 

Byers:  I don’t think it’s great. I do think there’s a path there, yes. But I think it’s a long shot. It would take a combination of Penn State having some kids make tremendous strides in a very short period of time and Iowa having some kids unexpectedly stumble at the national tournament.  

A lot of fans were disappointed by the Lions’ performance at Big Tens. How would you characterize their showing?

Byers: I think it was a very good performance by Penn State, especially with six freshmen in the lineup.  A couple kids surpassed expectations, and I guess a couple didn’t quite live up to their seeds. But I think in those cases it was a matter of the kids being a little over-aggressive. Cael has talked often about how he prefers a young kid who’s being over-aggressive and making technical mistakes to somebody who’s too conservative. 

Jeff Byers thinks Penn State’s wrestlers face an uphill battle in seeking another NCAA team title. Photo by Bill Horlacher.

Let me ask about Joe Lee. To me, he didn’t look good at Big Tens. What was going on?

Byers:  Yeah, he got caught in one key bout. He’s a big throw guy and he got caught trying for a throw, taken to his back. And, you know, he’s aggressive and probably not as technically sound as he will be. But he’s such a dangerous kid. Although I think there will be a bunch of guys at nationals that he could lose to, I think there are only four or five kids that I would say it’s very unlikely Joe Lee could beat. So it’s going to be a matter of settling down a little bit and making some quick adjustments from Big Tens to nationals.

You can correct the technical stuff if you have the right mindset. And I think up and down the lineup, this team has the right mindset. But yeah, overall I think it was a very good weekend at Big Tens and I think it felt more disappointing than it really was because of the team going three and nine on the final day. But as young as this team is, finishing second and getting nine wrestlers qualified for NCAAs was a pretty big deal.

It’s been observed for a while that Penn State sometimes does better at nationals than at Big Tens. How many years were there when Penn State failed to win the Big Ten title but still took the national title? 

Byers:  Yeah, there were a couple. In 2017 and ’18.

So given the pattern of peaking at NCAAs and with all the freshmen who might have gotten lost in the lights at Big Tens, what kind of improvement do you expect at nationals? 

Byers:  It’s hard to say until you actually see it. And I’m at a bit of a disadvantage this year because COVID protocols made me more removed from the team than I’ve ever been. I have not been to any practices and the only two times I’ve seen this team compete in person were the dual meet with Maryland and the Big Ten championships. I will say that it’s pretty obvious the progress that is being made by some of these younger kids. I mean, you look at a Robbie Howard and see the way he’s putting things together.  

This coaching staff knows how to get these guys ready. But with that being said, they are going to have  five freshmen in the lineup here at nationals. (A sixth freshman, Beau Bartlett, failed to qualify for NCAAs when he lost to Northwestern’s Yahya Thomas by a 7-5 score in sudden victory during the second round of Big Ten consolations.) And it’s really impossible to know exactly how the freshmen are going to react until they do it. I mean, you didn’t know with certainty how David Taylor was going to react until he went out there and did it at his first NCAA tournament (Taylor placed second in 2011 as a freshman).  And, you know, the same thing with guys like Jason Nolf and Bo Nickal. I do think you’ll see some little technical adjustments that will be made, and I think you’ll see a better performance.  

I wanted to ask you about Carter Starocci because you really did highlight him during our preseason interview as perhaps the very best among the fabulous freshmen. How did you know he was going to be so special (finishing second in the conference and being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year)?

Byers:  Well, just by watching him develop last year in the room. And then, I did get a chance to see him compete at a Nittany Lion Wrestling Club live event in November. But in listening to Mark Hall (the former Lion wrestler who won an NCAA championship as a freshman in 2017) talk about him, Mark was pretty adamant that Starocci would be a national title contender right out of the gate.

And it doesn’t hurt if you win the Southern Scuffle in your redshirting year.

Byers:  No, that’s right. And whether or not he wins a national title this year or finishes second or third or fourth or fifth, he’ll be right there in the mix. And I think the best is yet to come with him. I really think he’s going to be a force.

I remember we did our pre-NCAA interview one year ago today, and then it was just an hour or two later that we learned the NCAA tournament was being cancelled. Right away, you expressed your regret that Aaron Brooks wouldn’t get a shot at becoming Penn State’s first four-time national champ.  But now, because of the NCAA’s COVID-related decision on eligibility, Brooks could become the first Lion to win five Big Ten titles and four national titles. Talk to me about Aaron Brooks.

Byers:  Aaron is just special. As great as he was last year—and he was great—he is substantially better now. This is one of those guys who doesn’t get rattled or phased by anything that’s happening. If he gives up a couple of takedowns it’s no sweat. That’s the mindset that the Jason Nolfs and the Bo Nickals and the David Taylors and Ed Ruths and Zain Rutherfords have all had. It’s not a big deal if you give up a takedown or two because over the course of a match you’re going to get six or seven. He’s just a really special wrestler, a special person. He’s got a natural leadership sense and a passion and a joy that is contagious.

So barring injury, do you think Brooks will become a four-time national champ and a five-time Big Ten champ?

Byers: I do. Again, we’ll see what the future holds. There could be some great ones coming onto the scene here in the next couple of years, but it’s going to take someone pretty special to beat Aaron Brooks.

Let’s talk about your strange experience this year as a broadcaster. I guess you called the action for all of the away meets from a room in Bryce Jordan Center where you could get video feeds from the opponents’ venues. What was this year like for you?

Byers: It was strange for sure. Different. But once I got into the match, it wasn’t as big of a deal as I had thought. Once you get into the match, you’re dialed in on the action. But I felt more disconnected than I ever have from a team that I was covering. Truthfully, I’m just trying to stay out of their (the coaches) way. I don’t know how Cael is doing what he’s doing with his schedule right now. This is an Olympic year for the second year in a row. So he’s trying to get his club kids—his club men—ready for the Olympics. And trying to get his college team ready for nationals. And there are other things like Nittany Lion Wrestling Club events. So I’m purposely just staying out of the way and just calling the action. Cael’s been very gracious, but I’m not staying in touch with him as much as I normally would. His schedule was always crazy, but it’s got to be absurd right now.

Due to barriers caused by COVID-19, Jeff Byers called just one match from Rec Hall this season. Photo by Bill Horlacher.

Well, let’s finish up with our fourth annual Ironhead Awards for outstanding individual efforts during this past season. And, of course, I’ll also ask you to go out on a limb in predicting Penn State’s individual champions at the NCAA tournament and the top five teams. So, to begin, who gets the Ironhead Award for Most Valiant Effort in One Bout?

Byers: There are a bunch of strong contenders here. But there’s two that jump out to me.  First, Nick Lee in the semifinals of the Big Tens against Sebastian Rivera (Most Outstanding Wrestler at the 2020 Big Ten Championships). I don’t know that you’re ever going to see a better college wrestling match than that one. It was pretty special stuff for Nick to pull that out at the end in a situation where both looked like they could get a takedown several times. The other one that stands out is Beau Bartlett’s effort against Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso. That was absolutely remarkable. (Bartlett, a true freshman, went up a weight class and competed with Sasso, the nation’s top-ranked wrestler at 149 pounds.) I know Sasso won 5-3, but Bartlett getting the opening takedown against a guy that may win the national title and being very competitive, that was special. In my mind, that shows what the future holds for that young man. 

You didn’t pick a favorite. 

Byers:  Yeah, I’d probably go with Nick Lee’s win.

Now the Ironhead Award for Most Valiant Effort Throughout the Season. 

Byers:  I’d probably go with Brady Berge. At the end of last year, I didn’t know if we would ever see Brady wrestle again for Penn State. And so, his ability to come back and compete so strongly is pretty special.

After a serious concussion…

Byers:  Yes, and I would also mention both Robbie Howard and Greg Kerkvliet—with very limited mat time—being able to come into the lineup and help this team at Big Tens and get themselves into the NCAA tournament. So I think those two have been pretty special, but I would go with Brady Berge as my selection.

How about the Ironhead Award for Greatest Off-Mat Contributor?

Byers:  Again, there are a lot of strong contenders. There are a lot of really special kids on the team that are pushing the starters as fantastic workout partners. And I do think the coaches, with all the things they have to deal with, have been remarkable. But for me, the choice would be Dan Monthley, the trainer for the wrestling team. That’s partly because I room with him on wrestling trips, so I see all of the work that he puts in. But this year, the team has had a bunch of injuries, some of which are known and some of which aren’t. So when you talk about Robbie Howard and Greg Kerkvliet being able to compete this season, and when you talk about managing the team’s way through COVID issues, and when you see Brady Berge competing, you have to recognize Dan Monthley. I can’t even imagine the hours he’s putting in this year.

And how about your choice for Most Overlooked Contributor?

Byers:  It may be Roman Bravo-Young, as crazy as that sounds with him winning a Big Ten title. I think he’s a guy that has become comfortable in a leadership role on this team. Obviously, he’s a guy that loves to put on a show and has dazzling ability. But he has worked hard to hone his craft. And I think he’s a bit overlooked in the shadow of Nick Lee and Aaron Brooks. We’ll see what happens at nationals, but I really think he has a shot against Daton Fix (Oklahoma State’s 133-pounder who is seeded first) if they meet in the national finals. And that would be wildly entertaining.

OK, so who will win individual championships for Penn State? And what will be the order of finish for the top five teams?

Byers:  I think there are four or maybe five Penn State guys that could win a national title this year.  I certainly think all four finalists at the Big Ten tournament are capable of winning the whole thing—Bravo-Young, Nick Lee, Starocci and Brooks. And I think Brady Berge has a chance, even though he was a sixth place finisher at Big Tens and Ryan Deakin has separated himself a bit from the field.  

But if you were pressing me right now to make a final prediction, I would say that Penn State will have two national champs. I think Aaron Brooks will be one, and I think that among Roman, Nick and Carter, at least one of them will also find the way to the top of the podium. 

So how about the top five teams?

Byers:  I do think Iowa is primed to win the national championship. It’s awfully hard to see how the Hawkeyes won’t win the national title.  They have four top seeds—Spencer Lee, Jaydin Eierman, Alex Marinelli and Michael Kemerer. It’s hard to see Spencer Lee losing to anyone at 125 pounds. As for the others, I can’t imagine they won’t at least get to the finals. And they have two or three others that are pretty strong candidates for a top four finish.

As for Penn State, I think they’re going to finish second. As young as they are, they’re tremendously talented. I think Penn State will end up with at least six All Americans (achieved by finishing in the top eight of one’s weight class), and I think every kid we’re sending has a chance at that. 

After that, I’ll go with North Carolina State (the Wolfpack is led by the Hidlay brothers, Hayden and Trent, both second seeds from nearby Mifflin County High School). Then for fourth, probably Nebraska and in fifth, either Virginia Tech or Michigan.