Sat Mar 22 23:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Penn State Clinches Fifth Straight NCAA Wrestling Team Title

**Philadelphia, PA** – Penn State secured their fifth consecutive and twelfth NCAA Division I wrestling team championship in the past fourteen years, dominating the competition at the national tournament held in Philadelphia. The Nittany Lions clinched the title before the finals even began, thanks to Shayne Van Ness’s victory in the consolation semifinals. Their success was built on the strength of their entire team, with all ten Penn State wrestlers placing.

While the team title was already secured, several individual championship matches remain highly anticipated. Carter Starocci (Penn State) at 184 pounds, vying for a potential record-breaking fifth national championship, faces a tough challenge against Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa). Other key championship matches include:

* **141 pounds:** Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) defends his title.
* **165 pounds:** Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) competes for the title.
* **197 pounds:** Josh Barr (Penn State) fights for a championship.
* **285 pounds:** Gable Steveson (Minnesota) is the heavy favorite for his heavyweight title.

Starocci’s semifinal match against Keckeisen was a nail-biter, ending in a 3-1 victory for Starocci. Other notable performances include Van Ness’s decisive win and several strong showings by other Penn State wrestlers. Several other notable wrestlers from various schools are competing for individual titles. The finals were broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+.

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