Penn State commit downs 2 NCAA champs, Nittany Lions shine at US World Team Trials

Penn State wrestling had several of its top names back in action this weekend at the US World Team Trials in Louisville, Kentucky. Nittany Lion-affiliated wrestlers put on a show, claiming four first-place finishes.

Incoming freshman PJ Duke stole headlines on Friday, taking down NCAA champions Antrell Taylor and Ridge Lovett en route to the title bout at 70 kg. Duke defeated Bryce Andonian on Saturday to win the 70 kg title.

Fellow Penn State wrestling commit Marcus Blaze won his third-place match against Carter Young at 65 kg.

PJ Duke (#DukeMafia) takes the 70kg final with a 4-1 win over Bryce Andonian (SE RTC) at the WTT Challenge.

He'll face Yianni Diakomihalis at Final X on June 14. pic.twitter.com/FeoqpAMFwO

— Saturday Night Lights (@WrestlingSNL) May 17, 2025

In addition to Duke, Saturday’s Finals matchups were packed with current and former Nittany Lions, as well as NLWC members. At 86 kg, Carter Starocci and Kyle Dake faced off in a much-anticipated dual of all-time NCAA greats. Dake held on to win by 3-3 criteria after a controversial overturned replay wiped a last-second Starocci takedown off the board.

Kyle Dake wins 3-3 on criteria over Carter Starocci to go to Final X.

2 or no 2 for Starocci? Feel like this one is gonna be debated quite a bit … pic.twitter.com/X1wG9VHpMp

— Nick Kosko (@nickkosko59) May 17, 2025

Full results for Penn State-affiliated wrestlers are shown below.

World Team Trials Finals results

70 kg: PJ Duke defeated Bryce Andonian 4-1

79 kg: Levi Haines defeated Dean Hamiti 10-2

86 kg: Kyle Dake defeats Carter Starocci 3-3 (criteria)

92 kg: Josh Barr defeated Aeoden Sinclair 7-3

Consolation matches

65 kg (third-place): Marcus Blaze defeated Carter Young 5-0

Beau Bartlett also competed at 65 kg, losing his first round match to Bo Bassett.

Penn State wrestlers head to Final X

Saturday’s champions will join Penn State wrestling stars Luke Lilledahl and Mitchell Mesenbrink in competing at Final X on June 14. Pending a decision from Kyle Snyder in light of his recent arrest, seven Penn State alumni and NLWC members will participate in Newark next month.

Winners at the best-of-three series will represent Team USA at the 2025 Senior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, in October.

Nittany Lion wrestlers at Final X

57 kg: Luke Lilledahl vs Spencer Lee

70 kg: PJ Duke vs Yianni Diakomihalis

74 kg: Mitchell Mesenbrink vs David Carr

79 kg: Levi Haines vs Evan Wick

86 kg: Kyle Dake vs Zahid Valencia

92 kg: Josh Barr vs Trent Hidlay

97 kg: Kyle Snyder vs Hayden Zillmer

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