At the 2025 Big Ten Wrestling Championships, Penn State’s redshirt freshman Josh Barr suffered a left leg injury during his consolation match against Minnesota’s Isaiah Salazar. Approximately 45 seconds into the bout, Barr appeared to favor his left leg. Despite initial attempts to continue after a brief stoppage, he was eventually assisted off the mat following a takedown by Salazar, resulting in an injury default. citeturn0search0
This injury raises concerns about Barr’s availability for the upcoming NCAA Championships in Philadelphia, less than two weeks away. Historically, Penn State has seen wrestlers return from injuries to compete at high levels; however, the short recovery window presents challenges. The Nittany Lions are poised to defend their national title, but Barr’s potential absence at 197 pounds could impact their lineup. citeturn0search4
As of now, Barr’s status remains uncertain. He will undergo evaluations by the team’s medical staff, led by Dan Monthley, in the coming days. His performance at the NCAA Championships will depend on his recovery progress.
