Penn State Wrestling Nears Historic Streak with Dominant Victory Over Wyoming
Penn State’s wrestling dynasty continued its relentless march toward a significant collegiate record on Saturday, securing a commanding 40-7 victory over Wyoming in a non-conference showdown in Laramie. The historic event unfolded before a record-breaking crowd of 4,686 spectators who filled the nation’s highest-altitude college wrestling venue, perched at 7,220 feet. The top-ranked Nittany Lions showcased their prowess with four pins and two technical falls, while also making a notable strategic adjustment in their lineup at 141 pounds.
A Record Within Reach
With their impressive 75th consecutive dual meet victory, Penn State is now just two wins away from shattering the NCAA Division I men’s wrestling record for the most consecutive wins. The current benchmark stands at 76, held by Oklahoma State. The Nittany Lions have a prime opportunity to etch their name in the record books when they return to action on December 20th at the Journeymen Collegiate Duals in Nashville.
At this prestigious event, Penn State is slated to compete in two matches. The first will pit them against Stanford at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, followed by a contest against North Dakota State at 7 p.m. Should they emerge victorious in both bouts, Penn State will officially claim the new Division I win-streak record.
The Nittany Lions have not tasted defeat in a dual meet since January 31, 2020, when they narrowly lost 19-17 to then-No. 1 Iowa. Since that setback, Penn State has maintained an undefeated streak across four consecutive seasons, a testament to their sustained dominance, which has also been punctuated by four consecutive NCAA team titles.
Strategic Lineup Shift at 141 Pounds
In an intriguing tactical move, Penn State addressed the absence of Aaron Nagao, currently ranked seventh nationally by InterMat and sidelined due to injury, by inserting a promising true freshman at the 141-pound weight class. Nate Desmond, who is officially listed on the Penn State roster as a 125-pounder, made a significant jump up two weight classes to compete against Wyoming.
Desmond, reportedly weighing in at 138 pounds according to Penn State wrestling broadcaster Jeff Byers, delivered an exceptional debut at 141 pounds. He secured an impressive 11-4 victory over Wyoming’s John Alden. Hailing from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Desmond established an early lead with a first-period takedown and added a crucial reversal in the second period to go up 5-0.
Despite Alden managing to score a takedown late in the second period, narrowing the deficit to 5-4, Desmond responded decisively in the third period. He clinched the victory with a decisive takedown and earned back points, ultimately securing the 11-4 decision. Desmond, now holding an undefeated record of 4-0, has been a standout performer among Penn State’s freshman class. His impressive performances include a victory over teammate Luke Lilledahl, the nation’s second-ranked 125-pounder, in the finals of the Army West Point Invitational.
Top-Ranked Wrestlers Display Dominance
Penn State’s roster boasts several wrestlers who consistently demonstrate their top-tier talent, and Saturday’s match was no exception.
- Shayne Van Ness, the nation’s top-ranked wrestler at 148 pounds, faced a rematch against Wyoming’s Gabe Willochell, whom he had previously defeated at the 2025 NCAA Championships. Van Ness continued his impressive season, pinning Willochell in 2 minutes and 54 seconds, marking one of Penn State’s three falls on the day. He maintains an undefeated record of 7-0.
- Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 1 at 165 pounds, achieved his fourth fall of the season, pinning Sloan Swan in just 2 minutes. Mesenbrink’s record now stands at a perfect 8-0.
- Levi Haines, the undisputed No. 1 at 174 pounds, showcased his technical superiority with an 18-1 technical fall over his opponent, needing only 4 minutes and 50 seconds to secure the victory. Haines also remains undefeated at 7-0.
P.J. Fostering an Unstoppable Momentum
Freshman P.J. Duke, who has climbed to eighth nationally at 157 pounds, demonstrated his formidable pinning ability by securing a fall against returning NCAA qualifier Jared Hill in 4 minutes and 9 seconds. This pin was Duke’s fifth in six bouts this season. In his only other victory, Duke was leading 14-3 before his opponent was forced to concede due to an injury default.
Another freshman, Marcus Blaze, also maintained his perfect record, now standing at 8-0. Blaze pinned 22nd-ranked Luke Willochell in 3 minutes and 29 seconds, extending his streak of scoring bonus points in every one of his victories.
Noteworthy Performances from Other Nittany Lions
Penn State’s depth was further highlighted by other strong performances:
- Rocco Welsh, ranked fourth nationally at 184 pounds, secured a crucial victory. His first-period takedown proved decisive in a 4-1 win over No. 12 Eddie Neitenbach. This win extended Penn State’s commanding lead to 40-0 in the dual meet.
Wyoming managed to win the final two bouts of the match, with their two highest-ranked wrestlers securing victories. No. 4 Joey Novak earned a 10-2 major decision against Penn State’s eighth-ranked Connor Mirasola. At the heavyweight division, No. 10 Christian Carroll defeated No. 11 Cole Mirasola with a 10-4 decision.
The Nittany Lions’ consistent performance and their pursuit of historical records underscore their status as a premier program in collegiate wrestling. Their upcoming matches at the Journeymen Collegiate Duals will be closely watched as they aim to make history.