Penn State Wrestling Set to Dominate at 2026 Big Ten Championships

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – March 6, 2026 – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, boasting an impressive 15-0 overall record and an 8-0 mark in Big Ten competition, is poised for a stellar performance at the 2026 Big Ten Wrestling Championships. Hosted at the Bryce Jordan Center on March 7-8, the Nittany Lions, led by head coach Cael Sanderson, will enter the tournament with a remarkable seven top seeds.

This year’s team showcases exceptional depth, earning eight first-round byes thanks to a total of seven No. 1 seeds and one No. 2 seed. The rankings, as of February 24, 2026, according to InterMat, paint a clear picture of Penn State’s dominance in the Big Ten wrestling landscape.

Nittany Lion Wrestlers to Watch

• Luke Lilledahl (125 lbs): The No. 1 ranked sophomore enters with a flawless 17-0 record and a first-round bye.
• Marcus Blaze (133 lbs): This true freshman is a force to be reckoned with, also boasting a 19-0 record and securing the No. 1 seed with a first-round bye.
• Braeden Davis (141 lbs): With a 9-3 record, the junior is seeded No. 6 and will face Dario Lemus of Maryland in the opening round.
• Shayne Van Ness (149 lbs): Undefeated at 18-0, Van Ness is the No. 1 seed and receives a first-round bye.
• PJ Duke (157 lbs): The true freshman makes his Big Ten Championships debut with a strong 16-1 record as the No. 2 seed, facing Mekhi Neal of Maryland.
• Mitchell Mesenbrink (165 lbs): Another undefeated Nittany Lion (19-0), Mesenbrink is the No. 1 seed and enjoys a first-round bye.
• Levi Haines (174 lbs): In his final Big Ten Championship appearance, the senior is 18-0 and the No. 1 seed, earning a first-round bye.
• Rocco Welsh (184 lbs): The sophomore is 17-0 and the No. 1 seed, also receiving a first-round bye.
• Josh Barr (197 lbs): Undefeated at 16-0, Barr is the No. 1 seed and will bypass the first round.
• Cole Mirasola (285 lbs): The redshirt freshman, with a 14-4 record, is seeded No. 4 and will compete against Gabe Christenson of Northwestern.

The Big Ten Wrestling Championships schedule is as follows:

• Saturday, March 7: Sessions at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Sunday, March 8: Final combined session starting at 12 p.m. (consolation finals/7th place rounds followed by the finals/3rd/5th place bouts).

Penn State concluded the regular season as the 2026 Big Ten Regular Season Champions, solidifying their position as a top contender. For the latest updates and information, follow Penn State wrestling on X/Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The Family Clothesline proudly sponsors the 2025-26 Nittany Lion wrestling season. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here.