Penn State’s Wrestling Dominance Continues: A Dynasty Cemented Under Cael Sanderson
Penn State wrestling has once again proven why it stands at the pinnacle of collegiate wrestling. Despite early setbacks and criticism, the Nittany Lions roared back to claim their 13th official NCAA national championship—the 12th under legendary coach Cael Sanderson. And they did it in dominant fashion, clinching the 2025 title before the finals even began.
A Championship Sealed in Record Time
With only three wrestlers in the championship round—Mitchell Mesenbrink, Carter Starocci, and Josh Barr—Penn State still managed to secure the national title just 14 minutes into Session V. This underscores not only the team’s depth but also Sanderson’s coaching brilliance.
Evan Smith, a Penn State football reporter, summed it up perfectly on social media:
> “Just clinched the 2025 NCAA Wrestling team National Championship. Shayne Van Ness’ pin put them over the top at 11:14 am. The program’s 13th official National Championship and the 12th of the Cael Sanderson dynasty. For the first time in program history, the championship team fields 10 All-Americans.”
Penn State finished the tournament with 135.5 points, securing the title by just 4.5 points in a hard-fought battle.
A Rocky Path to Glory
The tournament wasn’t without its challenges. Penn State opened with a dominant 20-0 run and sent seven wrestlers into the semifinals. However, the semis were a tough reality check, with the team finishing 3-4—a surprising stumble for a program that entered the event with a 56-8 semifinal record at nationals.
But champions respond to adversity. On Saturday, Penn State bounced back with a commanding 11-2 record in the medal round. The only losses came from:
Greg Kerkvliet (285 lbs.), who medically forfeited due to a knee injury.
Braeden Davis (133 lbs.), who lost his consolation semifinal but rebounded with a pin to secure fifth place.
The rest of the team thrived:
Luke Lilledahl (125 lbs.) – 3rd place
Braeden Davis (133 lbs.) – 5th place
Beau Bartlett (141 lbs.) – 3rd place
Shayne Van Ness (149 lbs.) – 3rd place
Tyler Kasak (157 lbs.) – 3rd place
Levi Haines (165 lbs.) – 3rd place
Mitchell Mesenbrink (174 lbs.), Carter Starocci (184 lbs.), and Josh Barr (197 lbs.) – competing for first place
Cael Sanderson: The Greatest College Wrestling Coach Ever?
With 12 NCAA titles in 15 years, Sanderson’s resume speaks for itself. Under his leadership, Penn State has built a dynasty unlike any other in the modern era. The ability to sustain excellence year after year, adapt to adversity, and develop top-tier talent makes him arguably the greatest coach in college wrestling history.
As the final round approaches, Penn State’s latest triumph is already etched in history. Whether they add even more individual champions to the record books, one thing is clear—the Nittany Lions are the gold standard of college wrestling.