Penn State wrestling lineup comes into focus with transfer commitments, but what questions remain?

Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson did not need long after winning the 2022-2023 NCAA wrestling championship to clearly state what would happen next for the highly-successful program.

“We just gotta keep getting better, and we’ve got a lot of things we can work on moving forward,” Sanderson told reporters in Tulsa, Okla.

“That’s what you do. You come here and you’ve got to be quick to observe and figure things out, what can we do better. And that’s what we’ll do.”

Penn State has already done just that. It picked up its first transfer portal pledge from upperweight Bernie Truax IV last Wednesday. The Oceanside, Calif., native was a three-time All-American (at three different weight classes, no less) for Cal Poly and has one year of eligibility remaining. Then, it landed middleweight Mitchell Mesenbrink last Friday. He was a prep star in Wisconsin and has four years of eligibility left. Then, on Tuesday, former Minnesota 133-pound All-American Aaron Nagao picked Sanderson’s program.

With those decisions in, the Lions’ 2023-2024 lineup is coming into focus. But, questions remain months before the team takes the mat for the first time. What are they? We break each down below.

Who will lead off most matches for Penn State?

Not every dual meet starts at 125 pounds. But, most do. And, while the Lions have plenty of competitors for the lightest starting spot on the roster, they do not have a clear winner.

Last year’s starter, Gary Steen, is back. So, too, is the sometimes used backup Marco Vespa. Robbie Howard, who has missed the last two seasons due to injury, will be the favorite to win the job if he is finally healthy after past shoulder issues.

From there, former Ohio State wrestler Will Betancourt is no longer with the program, so he’s out of the running. But, multi-time Michigan state champ and Class of 2023 signee Braedan Davis could make some noise once he arrives. 

Penn State could also hit the portal again here. But, that seems unlikely at this point in time. A healthy Howard could make this a more productive spot in the lineup this winter. But, the wrestle-offs will be fun to follow

Middleweight decisions will be interesting

Mesenbrink was clear in his commitment interview with WI Wrestle that he is coming to Penn State with no intention of taking anyone’s job. But, with plans to compete at either 157 pounds or 165, something must give for either him or a current Nittany Lion. NCAA runner-up and All-American Levi Haines enters his second season with the Lions. Can he make 157 again? That’s up for debate. Then, Facundo had an up-and-down year. Will he battle Mesenbrink for that job? Could Mesenbrink go at 157 and Haines at 165? Could one of the three decide to take an Olympic redshirt year, leaving spots open for the remaining two?

Time will tell. But, this will be interesting to watch unfold, too.

How will 174-197 shake out?

This is the biggest question mark. Numerous situations must be resolved before we have a final answer.

The first is whether or not returning defending national champions Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks will wrestle for Penn State this year or if either or both will take an Olympic redshirt. If Starocci wrestles, he’ll be at 174 pounds. If not, can Facundo possibly bump up to fill his spot?

If Brooks competes for the Lions this year, questions remain about whether he’ll stay at 184 pounds while Truax IV slots in at 197 or if Brooks will go to 197, which would allow Truax IV to wrestle at 184. The former Cal Poly wrestle was an All-American at 174, 184, and 197, so either of the last two is an option. Our guess is that Brooks goes to 197 and Truax IV to 184.

All told, Penn State should feel confident about where things stand now, even with decisions to be made. But, months ahead of the first practice of the year, questions do remain.

Projected Penn State 2023-2024 lineup

125 pounds: Robbie Howard OR Gary Steen

133 pounds: Aaron Nagao

141 pounds: Beau Bartlett

149 pounds: Shayne Van Ness

157 pounds: Levi Haines OR MItchell Mesenbrink

165 pounds: Alex Facundo OR Mitchell Mesenbrink

174 pounds: Carter Starocci

184 pounds: Aaron Brooks OR Bernie Truax IV

197 pounds: Aaron Brooks OR Bernie Truax IV

285 pounds: Greg Kerkvliet