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2 Penn State wrestlers punch ticket to Final X; who can win U20, U17 U.S. Open titles today?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•about 16 hours•

GregPickel

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(Photo by Mark Selders/Penn State Athletics)

Two Penn State wrestlers and one Nittany Lion Wrestling Club member have earned a spot at Final X by winning a title at the U.S. Open. Luke Lilledahl, Mitchell Mesenbrink, and Kyle Snyder are all now just two wins away from earning a spot on Team USA for this year’s World championships. All three put themselves in a position to make it by winning a best-of-three match with a to-be-determined opponent this summer by beating up the field in Las Vegas.

Lilledahl dominated the competition in the 57-kilogram (125.6 pounds) weight class. He surrendered just four points over the course of the tournament while racking up four victories, including a 10-0 technical fall over Liam Cronin of Nebraska in the final, by a combined score of 40-4. The sophomore-to-be will face Spencer Lee at Final X for the 57kg USA World team spot.

Mesenbrink was his usual point-scoring self en route to the 74 kilogram title. It’s the first U.S. Open he’s one at the Senior level. He knocked out Iowa State’s David Carr 16-6 in the finals.

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“In a battle of past U20 World champions and NCAA champions, Mesenbrink blasted open a close match to score a 16-6 technical fall over David Carr at 74 kg,” USA Wrestling writes. “Carr led early 4-1, but Mesenbrink answered with a four-point takedown to lead 5-4 at the break. In the second period, Mesenbrink was able to score takedowns and a turn to close out the win.”

Mesenrbink won all four of his matches by technical fall. His combined point total was 58-7. He was named the CLAW Most Exciting Wrestler for his performance.

NLWC member Kyle Snyder won the 97-kilogram title. He and Mesenbrink will learn their Final X opponent at the U.S. World Team Trials Challenge tournament next month. Other Penn State wrestlers competing at the U.S Open include Beau Bartlett and Rocco Welsh, who were fifth at 65 and 86 kilograms, respectively. And, Nittany Lion freshman Marcus Blaze was third at 61 kilograms while NLWC member Kyle Dake was second at 86kg.

What should Nittany Lions fans be watching for on Sunday?

The U20 and U17 brackets conclude today in Las Vegas. Numerous Penn State wrestlers are in contention for a title. The quarterfinal and semifinal rounds start at 1 p.m. ET. Championship round bouts will be wrestled at 5 p.m. ET.

Multiple current and future Nittany Lions are in the U20 quarters. The list includes 2026 commit Sam Herring at 61 kilograms, Class of 2025 signees PJ Duke and William Henckel at 70 and 79 kilograms respectively, and sophomores Joe Sealey (74 kilograms), Connor Mirasola (92 kilograms), and Cole Mirasola (125 kilograms).

Last but not least, Penn State Class of 2026 commit Jayden James is in the U17 71-kilogram quarterfinals.

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