Penn State’s wrestling team is entering the 2025 NCAA Championships with a formidable lineup, reflecting their dominant performance throughout the season. The Nittany Lions have secured four No. 1 seeds among their ten qualifiers, underscoring their depth and talent across multiple weight classes.
Top Seeds and Key Wrestlers:
- 125 pounds: Freshman Luke Lilledahl holds the No. 1 seed. He clinched the Big Ten title with a narrow 4-3 victory over Nebraska’s Caleb Smith, showcasing resilience and tactical prowess.
- 157 pounds: Sophomore Tyler Kasak is the top seed, entering the championships after winning the Big Ten title. He boasts a 17-1 record this season and aims to improve upon his third-place NCAA finish from last year.
- 165 pounds: Sophomore Mitchell Mesenbrink, another No. 1 seed, secured his second consecutive Big Ten title with a 4-1 win over Michael Caliendo. His undefeated season keeps him in contention for the prestigious Hodge Trophy.
- 184 pounds: Senior Carter Starocci leads this weight class as the No. 1 seed. A four-time NCAA champion, Starocci demonstrated his mettle by overcoming a 3-0 deficit to defeat Minnesota’s Max McEnelly 8-5 in sudden victory during the Big Ten finals.
Additional Notable Seeds:
- 133 pounds: Sophomore Braeden Davis is seeded third and will face Bucknell’s Kurt Phipps in the opening round.
- 141 pounds: Senior Beau Bartlett, a two-time All-American and last year’s national runner-up, holds the
