Penn State’s wrestling team secured a 36-6 victory over Lehigh on Sunday at Rec Hall, University Park. The event drew more than 6,300 spectators and marked the second consecutive sellout for the Nittany Lions this weekend.
The dual meet began with sophomore Luke Lilledahl, ranked No. 2 at 125 pounds, earning a technical fall over Logan Wadle with a score of 17-2 at 3:21 in the second period. True freshman Marcus Blaze, ranked No. 11 at 133 pounds, followed by defeating Mason Ziegler via a 19-4 technical fall at 5:37, putting Penn State ahead early.
At 141 pounds, Cael Nasdeo represented Penn State but was defeated by Carter Bailey of Lehigh in a 5-1 decision. Junior Shayne Van Ness, ranked No. 1 at 149 pounds, won his bout against Owen Reinsel with a major decision of 19-6.
True freshman PJ Duke made his dual meet debut for Penn State at 157 pounds and was leading No. 10 Logan Rozynski when Rozynski sustained an injury that prevented him from continuing. Duke was awarded an injury default victory while ahead by a score of 14-3.
After halftime, junior Mitchell Mesenbrink (No.1 at 165) dominated Max Brignola (No.7), winning by major decision (15-7). Senior Levi Haines (No.1 at 174) pinned Bekhruz Sadriddinov in the first period (2:15).
Sophomore Rocco Welsh (No.4 at 184) secured a close win over Rylan Rogers (No.23) with a late takedown to finish the match at 4-2. At 197 pounds, redshirt freshman Connor Mirasola won against Remy Brancato with an 8-3 decision.
In the final bout of the day, heavyweight Cole Mirasola (No.10) faced Nathan Taylor (No.7). Taylor took advantage of counterattacks to defeat Mirasola with a score of 7-2.
Overall, Penn State claimed victories in eight out of ten matches and held a significant takedown advantage over Lehigh, registering a total of twenty-six compared to five for their opponents. The team also accumulated twelve bonus points through one pinfall by Haines, two technical falls from Lilledahl and Blaze, two major decisions by Van Ness and Mesenbrink, and one injury default from Duke.
Attendance was reported as 6,334 fans; Penn State has now hosted eighty-seven sellouts in its last ninety-three home events—including seventy-seven straight in Rec Hall.
Following this win, Penn State’s record stands at three wins and no losses for the season so far; they have yet to begin conference competition in the Big Ten Conference while Lehigh drops to three wins and four losses overall.
Next weekend, Penn State will travel west for an away non-conference match against Wyoming on Saturday evening in Laramie.
Fans are encouraged to follow updates about Penn State wrestling on X/Twitter (@pennstateWREST), Facebook (www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling), and Instagram (www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest). The Family Clothesline serves as presenting sponsor for the current wrestling season.
Breakdown of individual match results:
125: Luke Lilledahl PSU tech fall Logan Wadle LEH, 17-2
133: Marcus Blaze PSU tech fall Mason Ziegler LEH, 19-4
141: Carter Bailey LEH dec. Cael Nasdeo PSU, 5-1
149: Shayne Van Ness PSU maj. dec. Owen Reinsel LEH, 19-6
157: PJ Duke PSU inj.def.#10 Logan Rozynski LEH (leading 14-3)
165: Mitchell Mesenbrink PSU maj.dec.#7 Max Brignola LEH 15-7
174: Levi Haines PSU pinned Bekhruz Sadriddinov LEH (2:15)
184: Rocco Welsh PSU dec.#23 Rylan Rogers LEH 4-2
197: Connor Mirasola PSU dec.Remy Brancato LEH 8-3
285: Nathan Taylor LEH dec.Cole Mirasola PSU 7-2
Penn State is set to continue its season on December 13 against Wyoming.