Greg Kerkvliet is returning to Penn State wrestling; what does it mean for the Lions?

Penn State senior heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet needed just two words to announce that he was returning to the Nittany Lions for a shot at his second national title in as many years. A graphic posted to his social media account simply said: “Coming Back.”

With that, the college wrestling world was set into its latest Penn State-induced frenzy of May. The first came when fellow defending NCAA champ Carter Starocci said he would return for a final season in a blue and white singlet back on May 1. The second came Monday when Lions legend David Taylor was officially announced as the new head coach at Oklahoma State. A fourth could come this weekend if Penn State product Zain Retherford qualifies himself and the United States for the 65-kilogram weight class at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. We’ll have more on that in the days ahead. For now, let’s break down what Kerkvliet’s decision means for Penn State.

1. Penn State brings back another All-American

You need many keystrokes to type out all of the incredible stats and facts related to the Cael Sanderson era at Penn State. Most of it has already happened. But, let’s point out one for the future: The 2024-2025 Nittany Lions could have as many as eight at least one-time All-Americans (Aaron Nagao, Beau Bartlett, Shayne Van Ness, Tyler Kasak, Levi Haines, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Carter Starocci, Greg Kerkvliet) in the lineup, depending on how the weight class shuffle and redshirt decisions work out. And, it could have as many as three national champions in it between Haines, Starocci, and Greg Kerkvliet, plus possibly another pair of collegiate finalists in Bartlett and Mesenbrink.

Not all of those wrestlers will make the lineup, in all likelihood. Kasak did take over for Van Ness in December, after all. But, the point remains: The Lions’ lineup next season will again be an embarrassment of riches.

2. Kerkvliet can make history as a Nittany Lion

Penn State has long had multiple multi-year NCAA champions in the Cael Sanderson era. It has never had such a situation at 285 pounds, however. In 2024-2025, Kerkvliet can make university history. He’s already part of a small fraternity of Nittany Lion heavyweight champions, if you can even call it that. By winning it all in 2023-2024, he joined 2019 champ Anthony Cassar as the school’s only two winners in that weight class. No one has ever done it twice in their career under Sanderson. Only Kerry McCoy has ever done as a Nittany Lion. Kerkvliet will be favored to stand atop the top podium again when nationals are held in Philadelphia next March, however. He waited quite a long time to finally reach that spot. By doing so again, his name will (again) forever be etched in Lions lore.

3. The lineup is coming into focus

Blue-White Illustrated will have more complete thoughts on the lineup possibilities in the near future. But, for now, we know who will man the heavyweight spot next season. If Kerkvliet had elected to unexpectedly not come back, that spot in the lineup was going to be a question mark. Sophomore AJ Fricchone would have been a contender to take it. Same with incoming freshman Cole Mirasola. And, junior Lucas Cochran might have been able to bump up and fill the role. But, all of those uncertainties no longer matter. That’s because another defending champ will be back in the Penn State lineup next winter.