Nittany Lion duo shines at Junior Pan-Am Games

Days after four Nittany Lions medaled at the U20 World Championships, Penn State wrestling returned to action at the 2025 Junior Pan-American Games in Paraguay on Friday. And much like the other times when the Blue and White have donned the Red, White, and Blue this summer, a pair of Nittany Lion stars are set to return to Happy Valley with more international hardware.

Reigning NCAA champion Mitchell Mesenbrink and incoming Ohio State transfer Rocco Welsh were representing Team USA in Paraguay, competing at 74 kg and 86 kg, respectively. Both captured Gold Medals on Friday evening after dominating their brackets throughout the tournament.

Mesenbrink took down Orislandy Perdomo Brooks of Cuba in the 74 kg final via a 10-0 tech fall. The rising junior didn’t surrender a point all day, defeating his first two opponents by a combined score of 22-0.

Mitchell Mesenbrink 🇺🇸 put on a show in the 74KG finals, he techs his way to a Gold Medal in the Junior Pan Am Games!

FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS! pic.twitter.com/J6Ooe3dxDr

— infa (@InfaWrest) August 22, 2025

Welsh earned the 86 kg title also by tech fall, defeating Venezuela’s Ricardo Oyoque Vasquez 5-2. He won his earlier matchups by a combined score of 24-3.

Earlier this week, Penn State wrestling brought home five medals after a dominant showing at the U20 World Championships. Incoming true freshmen Marcus Blaze (61) and PJ Duke (70 kg) captured titles, while Will Henckel took Silver. Redshirt freshmen Connor (92 kg) and Cole (125 kg) Mirasola both won Bronze in Bulgaria.

Next up for the Nittany Lions is the Senior World Championships in Croatia next month. Duke, Levi Haines, and NLWC member Kyle Snyder will all take the mat for Team USA at the event.

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