When the Penn State wrestling team travels to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the Big Ten championships, it will be Clay Steadman taking the mat at 197-pounds.
Steadman defeated teammate Dave Crowell in a wrestle-off Friday to earn the spot.
The two grapplers shared time during the second half of the season after Crowell became eligible to wrestle in the spring semester. He redshirted the first half of the season after transferring from Pittsburgh last season.
The wrestle-off used a best-of-three format to decide who would represent the Nittany Lions at 197-pounds March 6-7 at Big Tens. Steadman said he won the first two matches by narrow margins, and he is now looking forward to wrestling in the postseason.
"I'm just thinking positive," Steadman said. "I'm actually just really excited to wrestle at Big Tens."
Steadman finished the regular season with an 8-10 record and went 0-3 in Big Ten dual meets.
Meanwhile, Crowell was winless in five conference duals while going 17-14 on the season. Crowell began the season listed at both 184 and 197 pounds, which translated to being undersized in many of his bouts.
Steadman said the lack of size was a factor in Crowell's struggles during the season. Crowell could not be reached for comment.
Lion heavyweight Cameron Wade said the two 197-pounders are both talented wrestlers and were evenly matched throughout the year.
Though Crowell won't be wrestling in the postseaon, Wade believes he'll be there for his teammates.
"Crowell is a good guy," Wade said.
"I'm sure he'll have Steadman's back and support all of us."
Steadman will have a chance to make it to the national tournament despite his struggles this year.
During the Big Ten tournament, each wrestler's slate is wiped clean, which compels many grapplers and coaches to refer to it as a whole new season.
The NCAA announced last week that seven 197-pounders will advance to the national tournament from the Big Ten.
Steadman said he feels like he has a good shot at being one of those seven, and Wade agrees.
"He definitely has a chance to qualify for NCAAs," Wade said.
"The way we've been training puts anyone in position to qualify for the national tournament."
