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Penn State wrestling makes history with 10 All-Americans at 2025 NCAA Championships

Penn State wrestling is now just the second team in NCAA history to place All-Americans at 10 weight classes.

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March 20, 2025. Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson exits the mat during the second round of the NCAA Championships. © Chris Eutsler / Basic Blues Nation, 2025.

Penn State wrestling is rolling to its fourth consecutive national title at the 2025 NCAA Championships in Philadelphia. The Nittany Lions entered Friday night’s Semifinals with a commanding 25 point lead on the tournament field.

While this could be a record-setting weekend on many fronts, the Nittany Lions have now secured a milestone that had previously eluded Cael Sanderson in his decorated career. On Friday night, 2025 Penn State wrestling became just the second team in NCAA history to finish the Championships with All-Americans at all 10 weight classes. The Nittany Lions join the 2001 Minnesota squad, who was the first to accomplish the feat.

The Nittany Lions reached the milestone largely due to a perfect 20-0 performance on day one of the tournament. The program secured its first seven All-Americans during Friday afternoon’s Quarterfinal, advancing a flurry of wrestlers to compete for a title.

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The remaining three had to wait until the evening, after Luke Lilledahl, Braeden Davis, and Tyler Kasak all fell in the Quarterfinals. However, all three won the first of two consolation matches to lockup a top eight finish.

Penn State wrestling weight-by-weight update

Below is the status of all 10 Penn State wrestlers as of 9:00 p.m. on Friday:

125 – Luke Lilledahl: Defeated Nicolar Rivera (WISC) to become first-time All-American. Advances to consolation round five.

133 – Braeden Davis: Defeated Evan Frost (ISU) to become first-time All-American. Advances to consolation round five.

141 – Beau Bartlett: Lost to Jesse Mendez in NCAA Semifinal after becoming three-time All-American.

149 – Shayne Van Ness: Wrestling in NCAA Semifinals after becoming two-time All-American.

157 – Tyler Kasak: Defeated Jude Swisher (UPENN) to become two-time All-American. Advances to consolation round five.

165 – Mitchell Mesenbrink: Wrestling in NCAA Semifinals after becoming two-time All-American.

174 – Levi Haines: Wrestling in the NCAA Semifinals after becoming three-time All-American.

184 – Carter Starocci: Wrestling in NCAA Semifinals after becoming five-time All-American.

197 – Josh Barr: Wrestling in NCAA Semifinals after becoming first-time All-American.

285 – Greg Kerkvliet: Wrestling in NCAA Semifinals after becoming five-time All-American.

Penn State wrestling leads the NCAA Championships with 101 team points.



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Matt is a co-owner and Editor of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

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