Live updates: How many Penn State wrestlers are going to Final X? Senior World Team Trials results
Penn State wrestling connections are going for a spot at Final X today at the Senior World Team Trials. The finals start at 1:30 pm ET. Numerous Nittany Lion Wrestling Club members and future Nittany Lion wrestlers are in the finals and, with a win, will move on to Final X, which is where the U.S. World team will be set in June.
It was a good first day for the Nittany Lions. You can find a recap of it here. This is your home for live updates from Saturday’s finals. Note: This page does not update automatically. So, please refresh your browser often for the latest results and information.
Penn State connections thrive at the Senior World Team Trials, are off to Final X
05/17/2025 01:36:41 PMPenn State and the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club had a perfect championship round at the U.S. World Team Trials on Saturday in Louisville. The winners now join Luke Lilledahl and Mitchell Mesenbrink at Final X next month in New Jersey. It’s there that the U.S. Senior World Team will be set.
Lilledahl and Mesenbrink are in the 57 and 74 kilogram finals, respectively. They will need to win two out of three matches to make the World team. Lilledahl faces Iowa great Spencer Lee while Mesenbrink is opposite former Iowa State star David Carr.
As for who is joining them, incoming Penn State freshman PJ Duke will face Yianni Diakomihalis in the 70kg match at Final X after knocking out Bryce Andonian 4-1 at the team trials. Penn State senior Levi Haines earned a 10-2 win over Oklahoma State’s Dean Hamiti in the 79 kg finals and will face Evan Wick of Cal Poly at Final X. NLWC member Kyle Dake earned a controversial 3-3 win on criteria over Penn State legend Carter Starocci to earn his spot at Final X opposite Zahid Valencia at 86 kilograms. And, Penn State redshirt sophomore Josh Barr is onto Final X after beating Aeoden Sinclair 7-3 to earn a Final X matchup with Trent Hidlay at 92 kilograms.
Barr is moving on to Final X
05/17/2025 01:35:24 PMPenn State redshirt sophomore Josh Barr poured it on late with a four point throw and a takedown to beat Aeoden Sinclair 7-3 to earn a Final X matchup with Trent Hidlay at 92 kilograms next month in New Jersey.
Dake beats Starocci
05/17/2025 01:25:59 PMKyle Dake beats Carter Starocci on criteria, 3-3, to move onto Final X. Starocci was awarded a late takedown for the win but it was overturned on replay review. Dake, the NLWC member will face Zahid Valencia for a spot on the U.S. Senior World Team.
Levi Haines is headed to Final X
05/17/2025 01:09:36 PMPenn State senior Levi Haines had takedowns in the first and second period en route to a dominant 10-2 win over Oklahoma State’s Dean Hamiti. He’s headed to Final X to face Evan Wick for the 79 kilogram U.S. World Team spot.
Mitchell Mesenbrink has his Final X opponent
05/17/2025 01:03:40 PMHe will face Iowa State standout David Carr at Final X in the 74 kilogram match. Carr just won his US World Team Trials championship bout.
PJ Duke is headed to Final X
05/17/2025 12:56:44 PMPenn State incoming freshman PJ Duke knocked out Bryce Andonian by decision, 4-1. He’ll take on Yianni Diakomihalis at Final X next month for a spot on the US World Team.
Marcus Blaze takes third
05/17/2025 12:40:25 PMMarcus Blaze knocks out Carter Young for the second time in this tournament to finish third. The finals are up soon.
Five Penn State connections are in the finals
05/17/2025 08:04:12 AMThe full list of matches is below. PJ Duke, Carter Starocci, Kyle Dake, Levi Haines, and Josh Barr are all competing for a spot at Final X this afternoon:
65 – Real Woods, CKWT vs Brock Hardy, NRTM
70 – Bryce Andonian, STMW vs PJ Duke, TMWC
74 – David Carr, CRTM vs Jarrett Jacques, TSWC
79 – Levi Haines, TMNL vs Dean Hamiti Jr., CRTM
86 – Kyle Dake, NLWT vs Carter Starocci, NLTM
92 – Joshua Barr, NLTM vs Aeoden Sinclair, TSWC
97 – Hayden Zillmer, GWC vs Jonathan Aiello, PRTM
125 – Demetrius Thomas, NYAC vs Trent Hillger, GWC
Day 1 recap
05/17/2025 08:01:56 AMPenn State had seven connections at this event. Five are in the finals. Marcus Blaze is still alive for a medal, too. He beat Bo Bassett by decision, 5-1, to move into the 65kg third-place match opposite Carter Young, whom he beat in Round 1. Beau Barttlett was eliminated by Young on the backside.
