PennLive Wrestling Podcast

Penn State’s first freshman national champion almost never happened. Mark Hall breaks down the redshirt decision, the Cael Sanderson factor, and the mindset that helped him turn a surprise title run into one of the most decorated careers in Nittany Lion history. Hall joins Jake Aferiat to revisit the exact moments that shaped his Penn State journey, from choosing State College over other powerhouse programs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Jim Carlson and Bob Flounders cover a ton of ground on this episode. Cael Sanderson's Penn State powerhouse is a heavy favorite to win its 13th NCAA title in the last 15 years. The three-day NCAA Wrestling Championships begin Thursday in Cleveland. Jim, Bob and Joe Hermitt will be there for PennLive. Jim and Bob go weight by weight and Jim makes his selections. Plus, Jim and Bob discuss PennLive's detailed series on Cael Sanderson that is running on PennLive this week. Sanderson is profiled by Luciew as PennLive answers the question: How has Sanderson transformed Penn State wrestling into the top dynasty in sports? Check out all videos, photos, stories and analysis that are part of PennLive's Sanderson project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penn State's wrestling program put on another dominating display at the Big Ten Championships in State College last weekend. Now it's time for the big one. The NCAA Championships are next week in Cleveland from March 19-21. PennLive's Jim Carlson and Bob Flounders take a deep dive into the Penn State seeds. Seven Nittany Lions are seeded first. Jim and Bob discuss the brackets and also examine the chances of three PSU wrestlers who were not seeded first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Jim Carlson and Bob Flounders are joined by Jeff Byers, the voice of Penn State wrestling, on this episode. Byers, Carlson and Flounders preview the Big Ten Wrestling Championships at Bryce Jordan Center this Saturday and Sunday. Cael Sanderson's Lions, unbeaten in the regular season, will be favored in many weights but there are some very talented individuals from Ohio State, Nebraska and Iowa who could shine, as well. Jeff also shares his thoughts on a Penn State wrestler who could surprise at Big Tens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Jim Carlson and Bob Flounders share their early thoughts on the Big Ten Wrestling Championships at Penn State on March 7-8 with Cael Sanderson's team off this week. PSU concluded its season with a shutout against Princeton last Friday. Jim also reflects on the life of Bobby Douglas, who recently passed away at the age of 83. Douglas, a two-time Olympian, was a standout coach at Arizona State and Iowa State. While at ISU, Douglas was Sanderson's head coach, helping guide him to a 159-0 record and four NCAA titles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Jim Carlson and Bob Flounders reflect on all that No. 1 Penn State has accomplished with the Nittany Lions set to host Princeton Friday night in the Nittany Lions' final dual meet. The PSU career of unbeaten senior Levi Haines, a prep star at Biglerville and an NCAA national champ, is winding down. Jim shares his thoughts on what Haines has accomplished and what lies ahead for Levi. Penn State coach Cael Sanderson also had plenty to say about Haines during his media availability this week. Plus, Jim and Bob offer their final thoughts on Penn State's romp against Ohio State last week and the in-season progress made by Rocco Welsh and Cole Mirasola. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Jim Carlson and Bob Flounders dig in to the most anticipate college wrestling dual meet of the season: No. 1 Penn State's Big Ten tussle with No. 2 Ohio State on Friday night at Bryce Jordan Center. Both teams are unbeaten. Both sides feature elite wrestlers. Jim and Bob look at the most interesting matchups, and they also look back at Penn State's impressive road win vs. Michigan last Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Jim Carlson and Bob Flounders are joined by special guest Jason Nickal on this episode. Jason Nickal is the head wrestling coach at State College Area High School and the father of Penn State great Bo Nickal. In a wide-ranging interview, Jason discusses his wrestling past, building the State College program, and what it has been like for him and his family to watch Bo Nickal's incredible wrestling career and his burgeoning MMA career. Plus, Jason provides a scouting report on Penn State wrestling's Big Ten match at Michigan on Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Jim Carlson and Bob Flounders are joined by Penn State wrestling general manager Clay Steadman on this episode. Steadman, a return guest, is a former PSU wrestler in his second year on the job.He shares his thoughts on working with Cael Sanderson and continuing to build the brand of the No. 1 wrestling team in the country.Steadman also offers some insight on a few of the factors that separate Sanderson, his assistants and the PSU wrestlers from others in the sport. Plus, Clay provides some interesting background on the creation of Cael's Cookie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Carlson and Bob Flounders look back on Penn State's 32-3 win at Iowa last week. Cael Sanderson's unbeaten Nittany Lions have won 80 consecutive matches heading into their weekend tests vs. Indiana (home, Friday) and Maryland (away, Sunday). PSU (9-0) also has six wrestlers in the No. 1 spot on the InterMat rankings. Plus, Jim provides a review of "Cael's Cookie" on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices