Rising Penn State wrestling star to represent United States at U23 World Championships

Penn State wrestling is adding yet another Nittany Lion to the list of wrestlers taking the international stage later this year. On Tuesday, rising redshirt sophomore Mitchell Mesenbrink announced he was claiming the 74 kg spot on the U.S. U23 World Team to compete in the U23 World Championships in Albania this October.

Mesenbrink made the announcement via his social media. The Penn State wrestler came in third place at the U.S. Team Olympic Trials at the Bryce Jordan Center in April. He also won the U20 World Championship last year, which qualified him for the U23 World Championships.

NCAA Finalist @Mitch_Mes announces he’ll be claiming the U23 World World Team spot and wrestling in the U23 World Championships in Albania! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/GQLM2moLyd

— Justin Basch (@JustinJBasch) June 25, 2024

The U.S. U23 World Team Trials took place a month ago, but Mitchell Mesenbrink held the choice over the winner from that tournament. Iowa’s Hunter Garvin won the 74 kg weight at the Trials, but the Nittany Lion’s decision now bumps the Hawkeye from the spot.

Rising Penn State wrestling star building off a dominant freshman season

Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Mitchell Mesenbrink quickly became one of the most exciting competitors in college wrestling last season after transferring from Cal Baptist to Penn State.

During his redshirt freshman season, Mesenbrink finished with a 26-1 record with a 70.37% bonus percentage.

He cruised through an undefeated dual season and postseason en route to a Big Ten Championship and NCAA finals appearance, where he suffered his first loss in a 9-8 defeat to David Carr of Iowa State. In May, The Open Mat named the Nittany Lion its Division I Freshman of the Year for the 2023-24 season.

Looking ahead to 2024-25

Mesenbrink will be one of the favorites to win the U23 World Championships, with his early track record of success in freestyle wrestling.

In terms of the Penn State wrestling season, Mesenbrink is already ranked No. 1 at 165 pounds in the way-too-early rankings put out recently by FloWrestling. Many top contenders in the weight class have either graduated or moved up in weight.

Many observers are already comparing the fast-paced style of Mitchell Mesenbrink to former Penn State wrestling great Jason Nolf, who also suffered a one-point loss in the NCAA finals his freshman season. Nolf won three National Championships and finished his Nittany Lion career with a 133-4 record and an 85.78% bonus percentage.

Those are lofty expectations for a wrestler who has only just finished his first full season of NCAA wrestling. But nothing would be shocking with a Cael Sanderson-coached wrestler. We will find out just how much better Mitchell Mesenbrink can become this upcoming November, and it could be scary for the rest of the country.

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