Penn State wrestling regular season superlatives: Top wrestlers, key moment, plus a bold prediction

Penn State wrestling capped off its 2024-2025 dual meet season by beating American on Feb. 21 to finish 15-0. The Nittany Lions are the No. 1 team in the country entering the postseason and also Big Ten regular season champs. Before the conference tournament begins, Blue-White Illustrated is making its superlative picks, including top wrestlers, best highlight, and more, in addition to a postseason prediction.

Three best wrestlers

Mitchell Mesenbrink | So. | 165

After finishing second a year ago at the NCAA tournament, Mesenbrink entered the 2024-2025 season with a plan to not just finish first but also be the most dominant wrestler in the country. Over the course of the dual meet season, he has been exactly that. The Penn State standout leads the nation in technical fall victories and is the clear No. 1 in his weight class entering the postseason. Mesenbrink will also be in consideration for the Hodge Trophy, which is college wrestling’s Heisman Trophy equivalent. 

Carter Starocci | Gs. | 184

A new weight class has been no problem all year for the four-time NCAA champ. Starocci set the tone early by beating Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen, the defending 184-pound champ, 4-1 in sudden victory at the NWCA All-Star Classic back in November. That was an exhibition event. In matches that count for statistical purposes, the Erie native has won every match but one this season by at least a major decision. He rolls into the postseason on track for a record-setting fifth NCAA title and, like Mesenbrink, is fighting for the Hodge Trophy, which he has yet to win despite his illustrious career so far in blue and white. 

Beau Bartlett | Sr.+ | 141

A two-time All-American who has finished third and second at the national tournament so far in his career, Bartlett hopes to go out on top. At the very least, he will enter the postseason there. The Arizona native beat familiar foe Jesse Mendez of Ohio State 4-2, scoring the match’s only takedown, in February to knock the Buckeye out of the top spot while claiming it for himself. He is 18-0 on the year and winning his way, which is using exemplary defense before scoring the deciding points late in many close matches.

Key moment

Sophomore Tyler Kasak was already ranked among the top 157-pound wrestlers in the country when he stepped onto a raised platform at the Bryce Jordan Center against then No. 1 Jacori Teemer of Iowa. After seven minutes of wrestling, the two would reverse spots in the InterMat rankings. After a scoreless first period, Kasak escaped in the second and then scored the bout’s first takedown for a 4-0 lead. The Hawkeye would eventually escape in the second and third period but could not take the Nittany Lion down. With 2:06 in riding time and a bloody forehead, after it was cut during the match, Kasak won 5-2 and secured the top spot at 157.

Best Penn State wrestling regular season highlight

Junior Levi Haines will be the Big Ten Tournament No. 1 seed at 174 pounds in March. He has plenty of wins to thank for that, none bigger than the one he secured in the third period over Ohio State’s Carson Kharchla. Trailing 3-1 after three minutes of wrestling and 3-2 after two periods, the Nittany Lion gave up an escape to start the third and found himself in a 4-2 hole. The defending national champ at 157 pounds then started pushing the action, resulting in a scramble that led to his first takedown and lead of the match at 5-4 with 1:15 to wrestle. Haines then rode out the period to secure a riding time point and win 6-4. 

Bold prediction

Only one team, the 2000-2001 Minnesota Golden Gophers, has ever had 10 All-Americans at the NCAA Tournament. Stunningly, they did that and won the overall team title without a single finalist. Penn State will become the second team with 10 All-Americans, but they will have champions, too. Entering the postseason, the Lions have top-ranked wrestlers in three weight classes, and four Nittany Lions are ranked second. We predict that of the 10 All-Americans, five will be finalists.