LIVE BLOG: Penn State wrestling looks to close out fifth straight undefeated season vs. American

It’s senior day in Happy Valley, as Penn State wrestling closes out the 2024-25 regular season with one final home dual against American University. Favored by over 50 points, odds are that Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions will get a win to secure the program’s fifth straight undefeated season and move one dual closer to Oklahoma State’s 76-match winning streak.

The action will kick off from inside Rec Hall at 7 p.m. and stream on BTN+.

For a detailed look at tonight’s matchup, checkout our dual preview.

Penn State vs. American live blog

Match-by-match results can be found below. Please note, this page will not update automatically. to see the latest results, please refresh your browser.

125: No. 9 Luke Lilledahl (PSU) def Coen Bainey (AU) by 20-3 tech fall

Lilledahl jumped out early with a quick takedown to set the tone on his way to 10 first period points. The true freshman picked up over a minute of riding time in the period as well. It was in cruise control from there as Lilledahl did spend a decent amount of time trying to find the fall but settled for the tech fall early in the 3rd with a takedown to end the match.

Penn State 5  American 0

133: Raymond Lopez (AU) def Kyison Garcia (PSU) by 9-7 decision

The two wrestlers spent the first period with a lot of hand fighting but not too many scoring opportunities for either and it was scoreless after one. Lopez got the escape just 8 seconds into the 2nd period to take the 1-0 lead. Garcia gets in on the single leg about 30 seconds into the period and despite Lopez’s best efforts to hop to the edge of the mat gets the takedown to take the 3-1 lead. Garcia escapes after 29 seconds on the ground to cut the lead to 3-2. Before the period ends Lopez gets in on the leg himself and despite Garcia’s best effort gets the takedown with just a few seconds left in the 3rd to take a 5-3 lead.

Garcia opens the 3rd period with an escape and a quick takedown to retake the lead 7-5. Lopez picks up the escape to cut the lead to one and immediately goes back on the offensive but eventually is waved off. It looked like Garcia was in a good position again after a double leg attack only for Lopez to flip the tables on him and get the match winning takedown with 12 seconds remaining.

Penn State 5  American 3

141: No. 1 Beau Bartlett (PSU) def Elijah White (AU) by 21-5 tech fall

Bartlett opens the match with two takedowns in just 23 seconds to take the 6-1 lead. It was a period of nonstop takedowns and let ups by Beau Bartlett as he collects 6 in total to lead 18-5 after one period with 1:29 of riding time. A quick takedown to open the 2nd period and like Lilledahl this one is over quickly.

Penn State 10  American 3

149: No. 2 Shayne Van Ness (PSU) def Gage Owen (AU) by 16-1 tech fall

Van Ness picks up two takedowns in the period and gets Owen to his back but is unable to get the fall. He was able to get 4 near fall points and leads 10-1 after one period. Owen remained on top for much of the 2nd period as Van Ness looked to get the reversal which he accomplished about 1:12 into the period to extend his lead to 12-1. Van Ness gets the escape and takedown to close out the tech fall win about halfway through the 3rd period.

Penn State 15  American 3

157: No. 1 Tyler Kasak (PSU) def Devon Capato (AU) by Fall (2:19)

Tyler Kasak came out with a notably large foam guard over his forehead after the recent head injuries. He doesn’t look rusty at all after missing the past two matches, picking up a takedown within the first 20 seconds. After letting Capato escape, Kasak imediately picks up a 2nd takedown, hooks the leg, and puts Capato on his back giving Penn State its first pin of the match.

Penn State 21  American 3

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165: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (PSU) def Kaden Milheim (AU) by 19-2 tech fall

To no surprise Mesenbrink sprinted out to a 12-2 first period lead after a barrage of takedowns. He spent much of the time in both the first and second trying to get Milheim to his back for the fall but couldn’t get it done. Already having riding time locked after two periods Mesenbrink closed out the tech fall win with a takedown just 20 seconds into the 3rd period.

Penn State 26  American 3

174: No. 2 Levi Haines (PSU) def Breon Phifer (AU) by Fall (3:41)

Levi Haines opened with a quick takedown and then wrapped up 1:52 of riding time before allowing Phifer to escape to reset things. He was then able to get in on a single leg shortly after and takes a 6-1 lead into the 2nd period. It took only 41 seconds for Haines to get the takedown and put Phifer on his back for the Nittany Lions 2nd pin of the match.

Penn State 32  American 3

184: No. 1 Carter Starocci (PSU) def Lucas White (AU) by Fall (2:22)

It was a classic Carter Starocci performance as he took Lucas White down with ease and eventually got him to his back for the first period pin.

Penn State 38  American 3

197: No. 2 Josh Barr (PSU) def Liam Volk-Klos (AU) by Fall (1:09)

It is almost as if each wrestler is trying to get the pin faster than the guy before them. Make that three in a row for the Nittany Lions! Josh Barr looks to be in peak form heading into the Big Ten Championships.

Penn State 44  American 3

285: No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) def  Emmanual Ulrich (AU) by Fall (2:47)

Kerkvliet quite literally picked up Ulrich and drove him into the mat straight onto his back and picked up the Nittany Lions 4th consecutive pin. It gives Penn State 50 points despite losing a match and was a fitting end to the regular season.

Penn State 50 American 3

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