Penn State Wrestling Dominates as Championships Conclude in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — The 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships concluded this weekend at the Wells Fargo Center with the Penn State Nittany Lions making history as they secured their fourth consecutive national title. The event ran from Thursday through Saturday, featuring 330 athletes competing in a double-elimination format.

Penn State achieved an impressive feat by sending all ten of their qualifiers to the quarterfinals, finishing the opening day with a perfect 20-0 record. Under the guidance of head coach Cael Sanderson, the team showcased strength and depth, aiming for their 12th championship in 14 years.

“It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our athletes,” Sanderson stated. “The pressure is always on at the national tournament, but we prepared for this moment.”

At the tournament, ten individual champions were crowned, but only one team earned the national title. The Nittany Lions were pitted against strong contenders such as Nebraska and Oklahoma State, who placed second and third, respectively, with 28 and 27 points. Nebraska advanced five wrestlers to the quarterfinals, while Oklahoma State sent six.

Carter Starocci, a pivotal wrestler for Penn State, continued his pursuit of an unprecedented fifth national title at 184 pounds. He noted, “Getting high-level competition benefits everyone involved. I look forward to competing again.”

The championship matches saw Starocci face off against Parker Keckeisen from Northern Iowa, who was seeking to defend his title. “I need to focus on my strategy and maintain forward pressure against him. It will be a challenging match,” Keckeisen commented.

Penn State’s journey through the tournament illustrates their dominance in NCAA wrestling, breaking records previously set in 2024. The championships trace back to their inception in 1928 and have been held annually, bar a few exceptions.

Leading the pack historically, Oklahoma State holds 34 team titles, while Iowa remains formidable with 24 championships. Other notable achievements include individual titles amassed by Oklahoma State (143) and Iowa (84).

The 2025 championships set new benchmarks, particularly as Penn State achieved record-breaking scores under the evolving tournament structure. The successes of this year corroborate the Nittany Lions’ status as a powerhouse in collegiate wrestling.

The final session commenced at 7 p.m. ET, broadcasted live on ESPN, while preliminary medal rounds took place earlier in the day on ESPNU. The excitement surrounding the event continues, as wrestling fans, students, and alumni alike celebrate the Nittany Lions’ remarkable accomplishments.