Penn State’s wrestling team secured a decisive 43-3 win over Drexel in a non-conference dual meet held Friday night at the Daskalaskis Athletic Center in Philadelphia. The Nittany Lions, now 2-0 for the season, claimed victory in nine out of ten matches, each with bonus points, before a sold-out crowd of 2,217.
The match began at 125 pounds with sophomore Luke Lilledahl, ranked No. 2 nationally, earning a major decision over Desmond Pleasant by a score of 19-7. True freshman Marcus Blaze followed at 133 pounds by pinning Kyle Waterman at the 4:33 mark to give Penn State an early lead. Drexel’s only win came at 141 pounds when Jordan Soriano defeated Cael Nasdeo in an 8-5 decision.
Junior Shayne Van Ness (149 lbs.), ranked No. 1, achieved a technical fall against Patrick Kelly with a score of 20-4. At 157 pounds, true freshman PJ Duke made his dual meet debut for Penn State and pinned Luke Nichter just one minute and fifteen seconds into the match.
After halftime, junior Mitchell Mesenbrink (165 lbs.), also ranked No. 1, recorded another technical fall by defeating Cody Walsh 19-4. Senior Levi Haines (174 lbs.), top-ranked in his class as well, earned a major decision over No.17 Jasaiah Queen with a final tally of 12-1.
Sophomore Rocco Welsh (184 lbs., ranked No.4) secured a major decision against Ethan Wilson with a score of 13-3. Redshirt freshman Connor Mirasola posted seven takedowns en route to a technical fall over Justin Griffith at the 197-pound weight class; he ended the match with a score of 22-5. At heavyweight (285 lbs.), redshirt freshman Cole Mirasola closed out the dual for Penn State by defeating Nate Schon via major decision, finishing at 10-2.
Overall, Penn State dominated the takedown count by outscoring Drexel’s wrestlers on takedowns by thirty-eight to two and collected sixteen bonus points through two pins (Blaze and Duke), three technical falls (Van Ness, Mesenbrink, Connor Mirasola), and four major decisions (Lilledahl, Haines, Welsh, Cole Mirasola).
Following this victory against Drexel—whose record now stands at two wins and one loss—the Nittany Lions will return home to face No.13 Lehigh on Sunday afternoon in Rec Hall.
“Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via X/twitter at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest,” stated event organizers. “The Family Clothesline is the presenting sponsor for the 2025-26 Nittany Lion wrestling season.”
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