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Penn State wrestling has nation's No. 1 Class of 2024, MatScouts and InterMat say

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•06/19/24•

GregPickel

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Penn State coach Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions are back in action Sunday.

The Penn State wrestling room is reloading with another top recruiting class. Mat Scouts and InterMat both recently released their final team rankings for the Class of 2024. The Nittany Lions lead the way in each of the top 25 lists. Head coach Cael Sanderson’s team will welcome seven freshmen into the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex this summer. Six of them rank inside both outlet’s top 100 seniors list. And, both sites list lightweight Luke Lilledahl, who is from Wyoming Seminary, as the top Class of 2024 wrestler.

He is joined in the class by New York’s Zack Ryder, who projects to compete at either 174 or 184 pounds, Wisconsin twins Connor and Cole Mirasola, who project at 197 pounds and heavyweight, respectively, and Pa., middleweights Joe Sealey, Brock Weiss, and Ty Watson.

“For the most anti-climatic ranking of the bunch, Penn State comes in at number one after signing four top-ten recruits and five of the top-15,” Earl Smith writes for InterMat. Three of the wrestlers from this class earned a spot on the U20 World Team in freestyle (Luke Lilledahl, Zack Ryder, and Connor Mirasola). Another two finished third at the Trials (Joseph Sealey and Cole Mirasola). 

“Obviously, with a stacked lineup and a class of this caliber, there is sure to be some overlap. At the same time, we probably won’t remember that issue while reviewing this class in 2029.”

Penn State having the top class is a ‘no-brainer,’ Saylor says

Mat Scouts Willie Saylor made the clear obvious in his rankings: There was not a ton of thought required to put Penn State at No. 1 this year, considering how much talent the team is bringing in.

“The Nits haul this year includes a flabbergasting 5 or the Top 15,” Saylor writes. “Luke Lilledahl, who they need right away at 125, has made four straight World Teams. Zack Ryder has made three. Connor Mirasola – the only opponent to take down Olympian Aaron Brooks at the Trials – made his first World Team after finishing runner up on two previous occasions. Sealey is a Cadet World Champ. And Cole Mirasola has been Top 3 at Trials several times. In other words, their ‘eliteness’ is all up in your face. 

“The group largely fits needs, too. While the paths for Sealey and Ryder are less clear and might take some time to figure itself out, their are flashing neon vacancy signs awaiting Lilledahl and Mirasola in the starting lineup. Even for Penn State, who has recruited exceptionally well, getting three to five bona fide starters in one class is rare.”

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