The MSU wrestling team is still searching for its first conference win after dropping yet another close dual meet on Friday.
The Spartans (3-11 overall, 0-7 Big Ten) lost to No. 9 Penn State, 26-13, on the road, and had their losing streak extended to nine straight.
The meet started on a high note for MSU, as the Spartans jumped out to a 6-0 lead after an injury default at 165 pounds gave MSU junior Rex Kendle his 16th win of the year.
The tide quickly turned in the Nittany Lions’ favor as Penn State rattled off four straight wins in the high weight classes to take a 13-6 lead after five matches.
The Spartans began to mount a comeback as freshman Joel Trombly defeated Penn State’s Eric Caschera, 7-1, in the 125-pound weight class to bring the score to 13-9. The win was Trombly’s tenth of the season and improved his overall record to 10-9.
MSU sophomore Franklin Gomez, ranked No. 4 nationally, came away with a major decision victory at 133 pounds by defeating Tim Haas by the score of 13-5 to even up the team score at 13-13.
That was as close as the Spartans would come, as Penn State took the next three matches, including one MSU forfeit at 141 pounds for a failed skin check.
The Nittany Lions then picked up their 12th win of the season and improved to 4-3 in conference action.
The Spartans next hit the mat at 7 p.m. Friday at Jenison Field House against Eastern Michigan (15-7-1) in their last home meet of the season.
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