Penn State wrestling puts five on US U20 World team, is set for Day 2 at U23 Nationals
Penn State wrestling will be well-represented at the U20 World Championships. Those will take place in Pontevedra, Spain Sept. 2-8. After a big Saturday in Geneva, Ohio, five Nittany Lions will be there as members of the United States U20 World team. Incoming freshman Luke Lilledahl, PJ Duke, Zack Ryder, and Connor Mirasola all claimed spots on the team by winning their respective best-of-three final along with now second-year Nittany Lion Joshua Barr.
It means that members of head coach Cael Sanderson’s team hold five of the 10 U.S. lineup spots.
Lilledahl, a Class of 2024 signee, ripped through the 57-kilogram (125-pound) division before beating Pennsylvania standout and junior Jax Forrest 2-0 in the finals to make the world team. Classmate Nate Desmond was eliminated in the weight class after a 2-2 showing in Ohio, while Cael Nasdeo was as well after going 0-2. At 61 kilograms, current Lion Kysion Garcia was eliminated after a 1-2 showing.
At 70 kilograms (154 pounds), Duke, a Class of 2025 commit, blasted Illinois’ Kannon Webster in the finals after gliding through the rest of the bracket.
More: Penn State wrestling: Aaron Brooks, Luke Lilledahl and PJ Duke named major award winners
Penn State Class of 2024 commit Joe Sealey finished third at 74 kilograms (163 pounds). At 79 kilograms (174 pounds), Ryder knocked out Iowa’s Gabe Arnold 5-4 and 4-2 in a pair of thrilling final series matches to make the world team. Classmate Will Henckel finished second in the mini-tournament that Arnold won for the right to face Ryder.
Wisconsin state champs and twins Connor and Cole Mirasola finished first and third at 92 kilograms and 97 kilograms (202 and 213 pounds), respectively. Connor Mirasola made quick work of Ohio State’s Ryder Rogotzke 10-0 and 6-0 in the 92-kilogram finals to make the World team. Connor Mirasola made it to the championship bracket semifinals before wrestling back for third.
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Finall, Tyler Kasak, the Lions’ 149-pound starter in 2024, missed weight and did not compete.
Penn State is ready for Day 2 at U23s
The U20 World team is in. The U23 U.S. World team will be today. And, a couple of current Penn State wrestlers are alive to make it. First things first, though: Greg Kerkvliet, the reigning NCAA heavyweight champ, did not weigh in for undisclosed reasons.
As for those who did compete, Penn State upperclassman Gary Steen is in the quarterfinals at 61 kilograms (134 pounds). Lions starter Aaron Nagao is too in the same weight class. He beat Lock Haven’s Anthony Noto in the Round of 16 to get there.
Matthew Rodriguez is out at 65 kilograms after a 1-2 performance. But Connor Pierce is into the U23 quarters at 70 kilograms, thanks to a 4-0 first day. So, too, is Lions backup Lucas Cochran at 92 kilograms. He was 4-0 on Day 1 and scored a Round of 16 win over Nebraska’s Lenny Pinto.
U23 Day 2 actions starts at 10 a.m. ET on FLO.
