Penn State wrestling sends record 6 to NCAA Championships final

Penn State wrestling has pulled away from the field, easily securing the program’s third consecutive title during the semifinal round of the 2024 NCAA Championships Friday night. But while the team crown will be returning to its home in Happy Valley, there’s still work to be done for Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions on Saturday, with a record-tying six wrestlers advancing to the final round.

Penn State wrestling advances record six to NCAA Championships finals

It was a monumental Friday night for the Penn State wrestling program, dominating the semifinal round to clinch the 2024 National Championship while sending a record six Nittany Lions to the NCAA finals. The number of finalists will tie the 1986 Iowa Hawkeyes for the most ever in NCAA Championships history.

The Nittany Lions will be looking to be the first team ever to have six wrestlers win individual national titles. Currently, 1986 Iowa, 2005 Oklahoma State, and 2017 and 2022 Penn State had five wrestlers stand on top of the podium in one tournament.

Cael Sanderson’s team had another dominant run of bonus points Friday night. Levi Haines picked up a fall, Aaron Brooks landed a tech fall, and Mitchell Mesenbrink earned a major. The Nittany Lions wrapped up the team title with ease and sit at 148 points heading into the final day. In addition to its six finalists, Penn State still has two wrestlers alive in the consolation bracket. It is looking likely that Penn State will break the record for the largest margin of victory; the only question is whether or not the Nittany Lions eclipse the record 170-team-point total set by Iowa in 1997.

Late drama propels Levi Haines to finals

Levi Haines is heading back to the NCAA finals after a thrilling sudden victory win over Bryce Andonian (VT). The sophomore trailed late in the third after giving up a takedown, but responded with a takedown of his own with 25 seconds left to send it to sudden victory. Then, in overtime, Andonian seemed to have a good shot at a takedown, but Haines countered and got the Hokie to his back for the fall.

It was a performance that showed why Levi Haines is one of the best wrestlers in the country. He stayed patient and waited for his opportunity, and then did what he does best, electrifying the Kansas City crowd in the process. Haines will now look to win the first NCAA title of his career after finishing runner-up last season.

Semifinal recap:

141: No. 2 Beau Bartlett (PSU) def No. 6 Lachlan McNeil (UNC) by 5-1 decision

157: No. 1 Levi Haines (PSU) def No. 12 Bryce Andonian (VT) by fall (7:48)

165: No. 2 Mitchell Mesenbrink (PSU) def No. 6 Mike Caliendo (IOWA) by 17-9 major decision

174: No. 9 Carter Starocci (PSU) def No. 4 Shane Griffith (MICH) by 2-0  decision

197: No. 1 Aaron Brooks (PSU) def No. 12 Rocky Elam (MIZZ) by 17-2 tech fall

285: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) def No. 4 Cohlton Schultz (ASU) by 8-1 decision

Team standings following the semifinals:

No. 1: Penn State – 148

No.2: Michigan – 64.5

No. 3: Iowa – 60

T-No. 4: Iowa State – 59.5

T-No. 4: Arizona State – 59.5

The medal round will begin Saturday at 11:00 am on ESPNU/ESPN+.  The finals of the NCAA Championships begin Saturday at 7:00 pm on ESPN/ESPN+.

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