Former Penn State wrester Alex Facundo commits to Oklahoma State

Former Penn State NCAA qualifier Alex Facundo committed to Oklahoma State out of the NCAA transfer portal. Facundo recently changed weights this season but did not crack the starting lineup.

He spent four years at Penn State but still has three years of eligibility remaining. Facundo utilized a redshirt his first year on campus and then an Olympic redshirt last season.

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This past season, he went 5-1 two years after going 19-6 and qualifying for the 2023 NCAA Tournament, his lone season as a starter. Facundo made the move to Oklahoma State official on Instagram.

“God has never led me astray, His plans are perfect,” Facundo wrote on Instagram. “Feels like Home.”

Facundo’s had an interesting college career, going 10-3 in redshirt his first year on campus. Mostly a 165 pounder in his career, he went 1-2 at his lone NCAA Tournament.

Then, following his Olympic redshirt, Facundo made a drop to 157 pounds in an attempt to re-enter the Penn Sate lineup this year. With now-NCAA champion Mitchell Mesenbrink at 165, there was an opening at 157 with Levi Haines wrestling at 174 this past season.

Facundo could not beat out Tyler Kasak, who moved up from 149, for the spot. Kasak just finished in third place for the second straight season.

Overall, Facundo leaves Penn State with a 24-7 record and will now wrestle at Oklahoma State. He’s projected at 157 pounds, currently, per WrestleStat.

Alex Facundo commits to Oklahoma State

Facundo joins a re-emerging Oklahoma State squad coached by David Taylor. In Taylor’s first year, the Cowboys finished third at NCAAs, had three finalists and two NCAA champions.

That included Dan Hodge Trophy winner Wyatt Hendrickson at heavyweight. He knocked off two-time champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson.

“That was one of the greatest matches I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” Taylor said. “That’s almost like, surreal in the corner to think they ‘We have a chance here, right? We got a chance here.’ And Wyatt came over (and I said) ‘go get it.’ you know? (Think about Dean Hamiti) beating two separate national champions to win, right? Wyatt beating two separate national champions to win. I think that’s our staff, all of everybody in our program and the things that we’re trying to do.”