Welsh wins U23 title, becomes 7th Nittany Lion to qualify for Team USA

Penn State wrestling will likely be well represented on the mat when Team USA heads to Novi Sad, Serbia, for the U23 World Championships in October.

On Sunday, incoming Nittany Lion transfer Rocco Welsh earned his opportunity to represent the United States after winning the 86 kg title at the U23 Nationals in Geneva, Ohio. The former Ohio State Buckeye downed Maryland’s Jaxon Smith via 4-2 and 6-3 decisions to claim the best-of-three final. Welsh went 7-0 on the weekend.

With the victory, seven current or future Penn State wrestlers have earned spots on the U23 National Team. Five Nittany Lions – Luke Lilledahl, PJ Duke, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Levi Haines, and Josh Barr – will wrestle for spots on the Senior National Team at Final X later this month. They can decide which squad to represent after the June 14 tournament.

Current or incoming Penn State wrestlers to qualify for U23 National Team

57 kg: Luke Lilledahl

65 kg: Marcus Blaze (2025 commit)

70 kg: PJ Duke (2025 commit)

74 kg: Mitchell Mesenbrink

79 kg: Levis Haines

86 kg: Rocco Welsh

92 kg: Josh Barr

Sophomore Connor Pierce also competed this weekend, placing eighth in the 70 kg bracket after going 5-3.

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