Former Penn State heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet has surgery following NCAAs injury default

Former Penn State wrestling national champion Greg Kerkvliet underwent surgery last week for an injury he sustained leading up to the NCAA Championships. The Nittany Lion heavyweight bowed out after falling in the NCAA Semifinals to eventual champion Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State.

Throughout the tournament, Kerkvliet did not look like his usual dominant self. In several of his matches, he scored early on opponents before riding them out, forgoing any bonus point opportunities. Kerkvliet was later physically dominated in his dual against Hendrickson, an uncommon occurrence for the Nittany Lion standout in the final bout of his Penn State wrestling career.

Kerkvliet finished sixth at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships after injury defaulting out of the consolation bracket. The finish made the Penn State heavyweight a five-time All-American, including his 2024 NCAA championship victory and finals appearance in 2023.

“Even coming into the tournament, Greg hurt his knee last week in practice,” Cael Sanderson said after winning the national title last month. “We weren’t even sure if he was going to be able to wrestle. First match, we weren’t sure if he was — he just got tough for the team, went out there and made the semifinals.”

Kerkvliet undergoes surgery following end to Penn State wrestling career

Last Thursday, Kerkvliet posted to his Instagram story a picture of him lying in a hospital bed with a cast and brace on his left leg. The post announcing his successful surgery was the first time we heard from the former Nittany Lion since his NCAA Championship appearance.

Penn State wrestler Greg Kerkvliet underwent a successful offseason surgery on his left leg

He had an injury during the NCAA Championships and didn’t compete after his match with Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson pic.twitter.com/xJIcXN0bI4

— AJ Piazza (@Aj_piazza31) April 17, 2025

Kerkvliet has not officially announced his plans following his Penn State wrestling career. He previously expressed interest in competing in combat sports. Last summer, Kerkvliet competed in the 80 kg division of the Craig Jones Invitational, a grappling event where he lost to Felipe Andrew by decision in the opening round.

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