Before Greg Kerkvliet even stepped onto the mat for the final bout of Penn State’s opener last Friday, handfuls of fans had started to shuffle toward the exits.

This one, like most of the Nittany Lions’ duals over the years, was well in hand long before Kerkvliet’s match against Lock Haven’s Ethan Miller. It was time to beat traffic.

Kerkvliet quickly regained their attention, however, as he worked Miller quickly to his back for a first-period fall that capped the dual 44-3.

He’s aware of the plight of Penn State’s heavyweights over the years — they don’t always get the eyes at the end of lopsided duals.

“I think me just going out there and doing what I can hopefully makes people want to stay,” Kerkvliet said with a slight grin Tuesday.

So far, so good for the two-time All-American who is ready to make his biggest impact yet nationally at 285 pounds. 

Kerkvliet is bigger and stronger this season — he checked in at a comfortable 253 pounds before the Lock Haven match — and has been absorbing as much as he can from nearly everyone on the team’s roster.

“I think Greg is still one of those guys that’s kind of figuring out how good he really is,” Penn State coach Cael Sanderson said. “And I think he’s really good.”

The Minnesota native followed up his seventh-place finish at 2021 NCAA Championships with a fourth-place finish last season. Like he did on Friday, he often gave fans plenty of reasons to stick around. Kerkvliet finished his sophomore campaign with bonus points in five of the six matches he wrestled at home. Two were first-period falls.

“He wants to be the best in the world and that comes through small steps and that’s what we’ve seen out of him,” Sanderson said.

Those small steps include closely observing teammates in all weight classes. Kerkvliet said he tries to wrestle Nittany Lion Wrestling Club resident athlete, four-time Olympic and World champion Kyle Snyder as much as possible. 

On other days, he picks apart nuance and technique from teammates who are naturally quicker due to their lesser statures. 

Kerkvliet stepped out of Penn State’s wrestling room earlier this week soaked from head to toe. Sweat dripped from his chin and nose for nearly 10 straight minutes as he talked with reporters.

He said 133-pounder Roman Bravo-Young’s setups have helped him as he looks for ways to get his opponent’s hands to the mats. Aaron Brooks’ ability to roll through to favorable positions at 184 has forced him to think one step ahead in his own bouts. He’s also drawn inspiration from freshman Shayne Van Ness’ handfighting quirks and 174-pounder Carter Starocci’s brawling style.

“From top to bottom, old guys to young guys, they’re all guys you can take something from and they’re all guys you can learn and grow from,” Kerkvliet said.

Army Plans

Sanderson said he and his staff would use the week to work through their plans for Army’s Black Knight Open at West Point on Sunday.

Penn State can take 15 wrestlers and Sanderson said they’d take a full quota minus Starocci, Brooks and Kerkvliet.

“They’ve got to travel to Austin, Texas and wrestle Tuesday, so it’d be tough if they were wrestling on Sunday,” Sanderson said.

Points Coming?

Last season, Terrell Barraclough alternated wins and losses, finished 7-8 and yielded the 157-pound spot to Brady Berge for the postseason.

The bright-eyed, positive junior seems like he’s put that up-and-down year behind him and the 157-pound spot appears to be his for the taking. He’s off to a good start, though Barraclough believes there was plenty of room to be better in his opening win against Lock Haven’s Ashton Eyler.

Barraclough was in on a few shots early but couldn’t finish in a 2-1 decision on Friday.

He’ll be among Penn State’s contingent when the Nittany Lions travel to West Point this weekend. Barraclough’s mission? Finish as many shots as possible in New York.

“Coach Cael was telling me, he’s like, ‘You know, if you just finish those shots next time, you can get the major,’” Barraclough said.

If he doesn’t put on a takedown clinic, the lanky Barraclough said he feels he’s at his best on top. It’s how he put away Eyler — with a brutal third-period ride.

“I feel like I’ve been pretty strong there since Day 1,” Barraclough said. “I enjoy being there. If I get on top, nobody’s getting away unless I let them.”