Penn State wrestling earns second consecutive Big Ten title

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WHTM) – Penn State wrestling was crowned the 2024 Big Ten Wrestling Champions on Sunday for the second consecutive season after earning a 170.5 team score.

This marks Penn State’s eighth Big Ten Championship title.

Five Nittany Lions secured individual titles including Braeden Davis (125), Levi Haines (157), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165), Aaron Brooks (197) and Greg Kerkvliet (285).

Brooks was named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year and earned Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Championships. Mesenbrink was crowned the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Head coach Cael Sanderson received his second consecutive Big Ten Coach of the Year award, which is his eighth overall nod.

Davis claimed the 125 title with an 8-1 decision over Minnesota’s Patrick McKee. Haines earned the 157 class win with a 4-1 sudden victory over Michigan’s Will Lewan. This marks Haines’s second-straight 157 title.

Mesenbrink took the 165-pound title with a 13-11 comeback over reigning Big Ten Champion from Wisconsin Dean Hamiti. Brooks secured the 197-pound class with a 19-3 tech fall over Zach Glazier of Iowa. Brooks is now a four-time Big Ten Champion,

Kerkvliet defeated Ohio State’s Nick Feldman at 285.

This Championship win comes after a perfect 12-0, 8-0 Big Ten season for the Nittany Lions. The 2023-24 season is Penn State’s fourth consecutive undefeated season. The Nittany Lions last lost a regular season dual on Jan 31, 2020.

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