Penn State Loses Top Ranked Wrestler for Season

In Tuesday's media availability, coach Cael Sanderson rounded out his comments with breaking news that sophomore Shayne Van Ness will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season with an undisclosed injury.

Van Ness entered the season with sky-high expectations after finishing third at 149 in the NCAA championships less than a year ago. It was a tournament he entered as the 12th seed before setting the world on fire and making his mark in his inaugural season.

At the NWCA-All-Star Classic, Van Ness performed well, highlighted by a win over Arizona State’s Kyle Parco.

Van Ness’s absence against No. 20 Lehigh Sunday in the Nittany Lions’ season-opening dual was an eyebrow-raiser that Sanderson addressed given his battles last year and in high school with injury.

Tyler Kasak typically listed at 141 pounds filled in for Van Ness against Drew Munich eking out a 7-5 victory. The Doylestown native won a State title and medaled a handful of times in an exceptional high school career. Still, the true freshman could be tasked with manning the ship and stepping up much quicker than initially anticipated in his first collegiate year.

Redshirt Freshman Connor Pierce is the only other wrestler listed at 149 pounds and after finishing 7-1 last year, he could receive a few reps filling in as well.

More clarity will come Sunday when No. 1 Penn State hosts Hofstra from Rec Hall.

Dylan Price is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email dvp5625@psu.edu.