Penn State Wrestling Shines with Perfect Start at NCAA Championships

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Penn State wrestling team achieved a historic milestone at the 2025 NCAA Championships, advancing all 10 wrestlers to the quarterfinals after a dominant performance. The Nittany Lions, under head coach Cael Sanderson, went a perfect 10-0 during Thursday’s sessions, marking the first time in school history that all participants reached this stage.

Penn State‘s wrestlers accumulated a total of 39.5 team points, leading the competition ahead of second-place Nebraska with 28.0 points and Oklahoma State in third with 24.0 points. The session included a mix of technical falls, pins, and decision victories, showcasing the team’s depth and competitive spirit.

True freshman Luke Lilledahl, the top seed at 125 pounds, started the day with an impressive technical fall over No. 16 Blake West from Northern Illinois, winning 19-3. “I just focused on my offense and kept attacking,” Lilledahl said after his match, displaying confidence in his abilities.

Sophomore Braeden Davis, the No. 8 seed at 133 pounds, followed suit with a well-fought 5-3 decision against ahead of his match against No. 9 Braxton Brown of Maryland. “You’re just trying to be strategic when you know the stakes are this high,” Davis noted.

Senior Beau Bartlett, the second seed at 141 pounds, wrestled tightly against No. 18 Julian Tagg from South Dakota State, securing a 4-1 decision. Bartlett’s ability to control the pace proved crucial in his victory as he strategized carefully throughout the bout.

Shayne Van Ness, a sophomore seeded third at 149 pounds, added another victory to Penn State’s scoreboard with an 11-1 major decision against No. 19 Andrew Clark of Rutgers, capitalizing on aggressive moves that led to continual scoring opportunities.

Tyler Kasak, the No. 1 seed at 157 pounds, opted for swift execution, pinning No. 16 Cody Chittum of Iowa State in just 1:38. His decisive win further exemplified Penn State’s dominance in this session.

Another standout was Mitchell Mesenbrink, the top seed at 165 pounds, who exemplified technical prowess with a 22-6 victory over Kyle Mosher of Hofstra, marking yet another technical fall win for him this season.

Levi Haines, the second seed at 174 pounds, bested No. 18 Gavin Sax of Oklahoma with a 4-0 decision, showcasing his tactical advancements on the mat. “Staying focused and disciplined was key for me,” Haines remarked post-match.

At heavyweight, Greg Kerkvliet proved his mettle, defeating No. 14 Gavin Hoffman of Lock Haven by a commanding 4-0 decision, with over five minutes of riding time, further solidifying his status as a top contender.

Carter Starocci, another top seed at 184 pounds, skillfully achieved a technical fall against No. 16 Shane Cartagena-Walsh of Rutgers, concluding his bout at a score of 15-0 in 4:23.

Finally, redshirt freshman Josh Barr, seeded fourth at 197 pounds, faced off against No. 13 Trey Munoz of Oregon State, edging out a 5-2 victory in sudden victory overtime. This triumph punctuated the session’s success for Penn State.

As the team prepared for the quarterfinals scheduled for March 21 at 12 p.m., Sanderson expressed pride in his team’s performance. “This has been a good start, and I’m excited to see how we continue to progress,” he stated, signaling optimism for the upcoming challenges. “Our focus now is on the next match, as every bout is crucial at this level.” The action continues at the Wells Fargo Center, with fans eagerly anticipating another day filled with intense competition.