Sun Mar 23 14:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Penn State Nittany Lions Clinch 12th NCAA Wrestling Title Under Sanderson

**Philadelphia, PA** – The Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling team has secured their 12th NCAA National Championship under head coach Cael Sanderson, and their 13th overall, dominating the competition at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center. The victory, clinched early in session five, marks the fourth consecutive title for the team, a feat they’ve now achieved three times under Sanderson’s leadership.

The Nittany Lions showcased their strength with a record-tying ten All-Americans, all placing in the top six. This achievement marks only the second time in NCAA history that a team has accomplished this feat (Minnesota in 2001). Penn State’s performance in session five was particularly impressive, with an 11-2 record (excluding a medical default loss) and a significant number of bonus points earned through pins and major decisions.

Several standout performances contributed to the team’s victory. Freshman Luke Lilledahl secured third place at 125 pounds, showcasing impressive resilience in the consolation rounds. Sophomore Braeden Davis also earned All-American status, taking fifth place at 133 pounds. Senior Beau Bartlett concluded his collegiate career with a third-place finish at 141 pounds, boasting a remarkable 100-20 career record. Other notable performances include sophomore Shayne Van Ness’s third-place finish at 149 pounds and sophomore Tyler Kasak’s third-place finish at 157 pounds. Junior Levi Haines also secured a third-place finish at 174 pounds. Senior Greg Kerkvliet, a five-time All-American, unfortunately had to withdraw due to injury.

The championship remains unfinished, with Mitchell Mesenbrink (165 pounds), Carter Starocci (184 pounds), and Josh Barr (197 pounds) competing in tonight’s national finals, broadcast live on ESPN. With their current score of 47-9 heading into the final session, the Nittany Lions are poised to solidify their dominant position. Coach Sanderson now holds 12 NCAA head coaching titles, placing him second all-time in NCAA history.

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