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Penn State wrestling becomes just the second team in NCAA history to have 10 All-Americans

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•03/21/25•

GregPickel

NCAA Wrestling: DI Wrestling
Penn State wrestler Braeden Davis. (Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)

PHILADELPHIA — The Penn State wrestling program has made more history. When 157-pound sophomore Tyler Kasak won his consolation bracket bout over 14-seed Jude Swisher of the University of Pennsylvania, he became the 10th All-American for the Nittany Lions in 2025. The latest version of head coach Cael Sanderson’s team becomes just the second in NCAA history to have 10 All-Americans. Before Friday night, the only program able to claim that honor was the 2000-2001 Minnesota Golden Gophers.

After the first three sessions of this year’s Championships at the Wells Fargo Center here, seven Nittany Lions had already earned a top-eight finish, which equals All-American status, by qualifying for the semifinals in their respective weight classes. But, three other Penn State starters, 125-pound freshman Luke Lilledahl, 133-pound sophomore Braeden Davis, and Kasak, lost in the quarterfinals and thus had to win one wrestleback match to become an All-American.

Lilledahl, who is the one-seed at 125 pounds, knocked out No. 11 Nicolar Rivera of Wisconsin 7-3. Davis, the eight-seed at 133, beat No. 11 Evan Frost of Iowa State 4-2. And, Kasak topped Fisher 5-4. All three can still finish as high as third place. Their spot on the podium will be determined during Saturday morning’s medal round.

“Yeah, I think it’s a stepping stone for one of the things that the program hasn’t done yet that I think will put us in another status to where just we separate ourselves from wrestling teams and just sports in general,” Kasak said back on Monday when asked about the potential for he and his teammates to all finish in the top eight.

“I think this program is just doing things that no sports program, regardless of the sport or the level, that anyone could possibly do. So I think it’s special and it’s a real possibility.”

Penn State has more history to chase

Ten All-Americans is just one of the many things Penn State has or can accomplish this weekend. The program already went 20-0 on day one and had 10 quarterfinalists. They are believed to be the first team in the history of college wrestling to accomplish that feat. Keep in mind that this tournament has taken place since 1928. The Lions also continue to pursue their fourth straight team title. And, they want as many individual champions, as well.

For more on where Penn State stands on the latter topic, visit the Blue-White Illustrated home page for more updates from tonight’s semifinal round.

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