Latrobe grad Luke Pletcher captures first Big Ten wrestling title

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Latrobe grad Luke Pletcher captures first Big Ten wrestling title

Paul Schofield | Monday, March 9, 2020 12:50 p.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Ohio State’s Luke Pletcher beats Pitt’s Micky Phillippi Friday, March 22, 2019 during quarterfinal round 2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship action at PPG Paints Arena.

Ohio State senior Luke Pletcher (Latrobe) lost his No. 1 ranking when Penn State’s Nick Lee handed him his first loss of the season Feb. 12.

It was Pletcher’s time to shine Sunday in the 141-pound Big Ten finals at Rutgers. A late takedown gave Pletcher his first conference title after a 6-5 win over Lee.

Pletcher should regain his No. 1 status as he heads to Minneapolis for the NCAA Division I tournament March 19.

After his match, Pletcher gave a shoutout to Latrobe freshman Vincent Kilkeary, who won a PIAA title on Saturday.

Right after winning a B1G title @LukePletcher gives a shoutout to local Latrobe, PA wrestler! pic.twitter.com/tOHCN1Uq2l

— Mark Bader (@MarkSBader) March 8, 2020

Iowa junior Spencer Lee, a two-time NCAA champion at 125, also won his first Big Ten title, and he was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Year.

Iowa senior Michael Kemerer (Franklin Regional) and Penn State senior Vincenzo Joseph (Central Catholic) were denied conference titles.

Kemerer (174) fell to Penn State’s Mark Hall, and Joseph (165) lost to Iowa’s Alex Marinelli.

Penn State’s Jarod Verkleeren of Hempfield finished ninth at 149, also earning a trip to the NCAA tournament.

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