The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team will begin its 2025-26 season by hosting the Oklahoma Sooners on Friday, November 14, at 6 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center. The dual meet will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network.
Penn State enters the new season after winning its 12th NCAA National Championship under head coach Cael Sanderson and its 13th overall title last year in Philadelphia. The team finished the previous season undefeated in dual meets with a 15-0 record, including an 8-0 mark in Big Ten competition, and secured both the Big Ten Regular Season and Conference Championships.
Nine All-Americans return for Penn State this season—seven from last year’s championship squad and two who are coming off redshirt years. Several wrestlers are ranked by InterMat: Luke Lilledahl (No. 3 at 125 lbs), Aaron Nagao (No. 11 at 141), Shayne Van Ness (No. 1 at 149), Mitchell Mesenbrink (No. 1 at 165), Levi Haines (No. 1 at 174), Rocco Welsh (No. 2 at 184), Josh Barr (No. 1 at 197), and Cole Mirasola (No. 11 at heavyweight).
Oklahoma started its season last weekend at the Tiger Style Invitational, where DJ Parker won the title at 197 lbs and Juan Mora took first place at heavyweight. Led by head coach Roger Kish, Oklahoma posted an overall record of 8-4 last year and placed eighth in conference duals before finishing in thirty-eighth place nationally.
The Sooners have eight ranked wrestlers according to InterMat: Beric Jordan (No.29 at 125 lbs), Jack Gioffre (No.11 at 149), Rafael Hipolito (No.7 at 157), Peyton Kellar (No.17 at 165), Carter Schubert (No.33 at 174), Brian Soldano (No.13 at 184), DJ Parker (No.8 at197) and Juan Mora(No.24at285).
Following their opener against Oklahoma, Penn State will compete next weekend in the Black Knight Invitational hosted by Army West Point on Sunday, November23.
During the offseason, seven Penn State wrestlers participated in the United World Wrestling U23 World Championships held in Novi Sad, Serbia, with four earning gold medals and one taking bronze for Team USA’s U23 squad of ten athletes.”Junior Mitchell Mesenbrink won the Gold Medal at74kg,sophomore Luke Lilledahl won the Gold Medal57kg,senior Levi Haines won the Gold Medal79kg,true freshman PJ Duke won a Bronze Medal70kg,” according to Penn State’s release.
Additionally,four Nittany Lions opened their individual seasons by competing in a round robin event during Journeymen Collegiate on November9; Connor Pierce went2-1 with two technical falls(149lbs.),Joe Sealey went2-1 with a pin(157lbs.),Sam Beckett went2-1(165lbs.),and Dawson Bundy went1-2 with a major decision(285lbs.).
The Big Ten has introduced a preseason Wrestler to Watch list this year featuring up to two athletes per school.Penn State’s Levi Haines(2024 champion)and Mitchell Mesenbrink(2025 champion)were named to this inaugural list.
Since2011,Penn State has claimed more individual NCAA titles than any other program,detailed as follows:40 individual titles since2011,a total of59 national finalists,and an .857 percentage of team championships won during that period.The program is also noted for having produced champions across every weight class over the past decade,and is one of only two teams ever to achieve five individual champions or ten All-Americans in a single year.Head coach Cael Sanderson has led Penn State to twelve NCAA team titles,the second most for any coach in history.
Fans can follow updates about Penn State wrestling through X/twitter(@pennstateWREST),the team’s Facebook page(www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling)and Instagram(www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest).The2025-26season is sponsored by The Family Clothesline.
“Junior Mitchell Mesenbrink won the Gold Medal at74kg,sophomore Luke Lilledahl won the Gold Medal57kg,senior Levi Haines won the Gold Medal79kg,true freshman PJ Duke won a Bronze Medal70kg,” according to Penn State’s release.