Penn State wrestling: First 4 NWCA All-Star Classic matchups offer clues for the Lions’ lineup in 2024-2025
Penn State will have at least two competitors at this year’s NWCA All-Star Classic in State College. The annual event returns to Rec Hall on Nov 16. More Nittany Lions can and likely will wind up on the bout sheet. But, for now, returning 157-pound NCAA champion Levi Haines will compete, as will 2023 All-American Shayne Van Ness, who missed almost all of last season due to a lower body injury.
According to FLO Wrestling, Haines, a junior, will wrestle Ohio State’s Rocco Welsh, who is a sophomore. That’s notable, of course, because it is the latest signal that the Pa., native is moving up to 174 pounds this season. FLO ranks him No. 2 at that weight and Welsh No. 3. Four-time NCAA champ Carter Starocci, who beat Welsh 2-0 in the national finals a year ago, is moving up in weight this season. It’s likely that he’ll go to 184 pounds to try and become the NCAA’s first five-time champ.
The other matchup involving Penn State announced Monday is the first indication that Van Ness will be able to compete this winter after having surgery earlier this year. Flo’s No. 2 ranked wrestler at 149 pounds will battle No. 3 Ty Watters, a sophomore from West Virginia. The Mountaineer finished fourth at NCAAs a year ago.
FLO announced two other NWCA All-Star Classic matches Monday. At 133, No. 5 Evan Frost from Iowa State will take on No. 2 Nasir Bailey from Little Rock. And, at 197 pounds, No. 9 Zac Braunagel from Illinois battles No. 5 Stephen Little from Little Rock. Additional matches will be announced in the future. Tickets are on sale now here.
Penn State lineup continues to come into focus
Penn State will have some familiar faces in new places this winter. Haines moving to 174 makes sense. His frame was maxed out at 157 after two consecutive All-American finishes. As for Van Ness, he is moving back to his old role, it appears. What that means for sophomore Tyler Kasak, who moved up to 149 to fill in for ‘SVN last season and finished third at his first NCAA Tournament, remains to be seen.
Freshman Luke Lilledahl should man the 125-pound spot. Braeden Davis, who started there a year ago, will battle returner Aaron Nagao at 133. Returning All-American Beau Bartlett will man 141. Second-year Penn State wrestler Mitchell Mesenbrink could go at 157 or 165, and likely will be back at the latter. Starocci should handle 184. And, returning national champ Greg Kerlvliet is back at heavyweight. That leaves open questions at 157, 165, and 197 pounds entering the year.
