Penn State’s Gary Steen building confidence, trusting process in rough first season on mat

College wrestling has a way of humbling the most successful high school wrestler.

Penn State’s Gary Steen lost a total of nine matches during his time at Reynolds High School. He also claimed two PIAA titles and never finished any lower than third.

In his first full-time collegiate season, Steen has 10 losses.

“When I first came in, like my freshman summer, (it) was definitely a learning experience. I probably didn’t get a takedown for months,” he said Tuesday. “I wrestled like 120 pounds my senior year and strength was a big thing. I think strength helped me a lot coming in here. Now, it’s more learning technique from all these dudes.”

Some of those “dudes” are Nittany Lion Wrestling Club members Thomas Gilman and Jordan Conaway. Both are helping him get through a tough season.

The slick duck under that Conaway is known for is still there, Steen said. The former Penn State wrestler gives the current Nittany Lion a feel for different positions that he’s still trying to get accustomed to.

When it comes to Gilman, Steen said he looks up to the former Iowa Hawkeye wrestler.

“He helps keep my head straight and just pushes me to always believe in myself. All these guys in here push me to keep going,” Steen said. “There’s been a lot of times this year my head’s been down. I’ve been kind of down, but it’s a process. Everyone has their holes in their career. It’s more keep going, building faith and having fun with the process.”

The redshirt freshman has said that during his time so far in the Penn State room, he’s seeing progress.

He’s able to “hang” with Gilman now in the hand fighting part of wrestling and said that he’s been able to score a takedown here and there on the former Hawkeye. It’s not all the time, but he’s constantly striving to make it more consistent.

“He still beats me up a lot. He always will because he just has more experience, but I can hang in there with him,” Steen said. “I’m not saying I score on him all the time, but it does feel good because it’s a high level guy. You want to keep doing that. It’s kind of like an addiction, you get one takedown, I want to go do it again. It’s constantly wanting to go and improve.”

As of late, Steen has been in and out of the lineup.

Marco Vespa filled in for Steen during the Iowa and Indiana matches, which had some wondering if Steen lost his starting spot.

However, it seems like it was more precautionary than anything as Steen mentioned he injured his knee.

“I literally tweaked it in that Michigan State match,” Steen said. “It popped, but nothing was torn. It was just tweaked and more sore. My knee’s feeling good, so back to me.”

Nittany Lions coach Cael Sanderson backed the idea that Steen is the starter.

“I think Steen at this point has kind of earned that spot. We’ve just been throwing Vespa in there to give him some experience and give him a chance to compete,” Sanderson said. “Steen has wrestled well this year. He just needs a little bit of confidence.”

The Penn State coach feels his wrestler has “all the physical tools he needs.” He went on to say how hard Steen works in the room, and all the experience he has is a “good foundation.”

Building confidence is Steen’s goal, too.

“The beginning of the year, I was kind of worried about winning and losing, because in high school coming out with only four losses you expect to just win. College is a different level,” he said. “Now, it’s not even so much worried about the wins and the losses. It’s about growing as a wrestler and trying to jump levels. I’m just building confidence day by day working with the best dudes in the practice room I possibly can. I’m going out there, having fun and just being me. Overall, I’m growing as a person, becoming the best wrestler and the best version of myself everyday.”

No. 1 Penn State (13-0, 6-0 Big Ten) at No. 23 Rutgers (10-5, 2-4 Big Ten)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Jersey Mike’s Arena, Piscataway, N.J.

Radio: WAPY (103.1 FM)

Online: Radio, Lionvision at GoPSUsports.com; Online, Big Ten+

Twitter: @byncobler, @pennstatewrest

Maryland (8-7, 0-6 Big Ten) at No. 1 Penn State (13-0, 6-0 Big Ten)

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Where: Rec Hall

Radio: WAPY (103.1 FM)

Online: Radio, Lionvision at GoPSUsports.com; Online, Big Ten+

Twitter: @byncobler, @pennstatewrest

Note: Maryland hosts Purdue on Friday