3 Penn State wrestling takeaways from the Southern Scuffle, Edinboro Open

Penn State wrestling kicked off the 2025 portion of its schedule by sending multiple competitors to two different tournaments in two separate states on Sunday. The Nittany Lions are welcoming four champions back to State College today and seven placers out of 11 overall competitors. Our top takeaways from the weekend are below as the team now turns it focus to preparing for its Big Ten opener opposite Michigan State on Friday at Rec Hall.

1. The freshmen were ready to roll in Chattanooga

Penn State has freshmen who are not yet able to have a spot in the starting lineup. That does not mean they aren’t capable of being in a Division 1 starting 10, of course. That was proven on Sunday in Chattanooga, Tenn. First-year Nittany Lions Zack Ryder, Connor Mirasola, and Cole Mirasola all claimed titles at the Southern Scuffle.

Ryder was 5-0 at 184 pounds. He beat two ranked wrestlers, including a fall over No. 20 TJ Stewart of Virginia Tech in the semifinals, before topping Al Heeg of Northern Colorado 6-1 in the finals via a five-point move in sudden victory. At 197, Connor Mirasola beat No. 30 Patrick Brophy of The Citadel in the finals. His 5-0 mark included a pin, two techs and a major decision triumph. His brother, Cole Mirasola, took the 285-pound crown. He beat No. 24 Lucas Stoddard of Army 9-0 in the finals after topping No. 29 Connor Barkett of Duke by technical fall, 21-6, in the quarterfinals.

Penn State finished second in the team standings behind only Army.

2. Cael Nasdeo takes a title at Edinboro

Cael Nasdeo could be the next man up for Penn State at 141 pounds once Beau Bartlett graduates after this season. He is preparing like he could be the guy in 2025-2026, at the very least. Nasdeo, a former PIAA state champ from Williamsport, competed at the Edinboro Open. He won his weight class’ title by racking up three victories, including one by technical fall.

Nasdeo will continue to work behind Bartlett with hopes of taking the job next year. Class of 2025 commit Marcus Blaze will have a say in that battle though, among others.

3. Full Penn State wrestling weekend tournament results

“Courtesy of Penn State Athletics:

“Sophomore Connor Pierce took second at 149. Pierce advanced to the finals with a 4-3 win over No. 13 Willie McDougald of Oklahoma in the semis and met No. 16 Jordan Williams of Little Rock in the finals, where he dropped a tough 10-5 decision. Pierce went 4-1 with a pin and a major to take second place.

“Penn State’s fifth place winner at the Scuffle was senior+ Kurt McHenry at 125. McHenry posted a 6-2 overall record and placed fifth. McHenry picked up two tech falls and a major on his way to the podium for Penn State.

“Four other Nittany Lions competed at the event, each grabbing multiple wins. Gary Steen went 2-2 with two tech falls at 133. Tim Levine went 2-2 with a pin at 141. Aurelius Dunbar went 3-2 with two majors at 165. Jack Kelly went 2-2 with a pin at 174.

“Two Penn Staters competed at the Edinboro Open on Saturday with both advancing to the finals. True freshman Cael Nasdeo went 3-0 at 141 (plus one win against a non-collegiate foe) to win the crown at his weight. He had a tech fall and a major on his way to winning the title. True freshman Sam Beckett went 2-1 at 174 and advanced to the finals before losing and earning second place.”