Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1533674
4 4 A P R I L 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M M itchell Mesenbrink talks as fast as he moves on the mat, and his words are as insightful as his ac- tions are productive throughout a seven- minute (or less) match. Mesenbrink's 18 technical falls — vic- tories of 15 points or more in regulation — were the most in the nation this sea- son. That dominant run culminated in his first 165-pound NCAA title on March 22. The final victory of his redshirt sopho- more season didn't add to that tech fall total, but it did serve as yet another re- minder of the intensity that he brings to every aspect of his wrestling career. His approach has made him a two-time All- American and now a national champion, and more success is likely coming his way because of it. "I went out there and brought it," Mesenbrink said. "I'd rather lose bring- ing it than not bring it." He brought it. Always does. And he did not lose. Not before this postseason, and certainly not in the NCAA finals. Mesenbrink carried a 19-0 regular- season record into the Big Ten Tourna- ment. He cruised through the initial rounds of the conference event before meeting Iowa's Michael Caliendo in the finals. Mesenbrink beat Caliendo, but the Hawkeye standout kept it close. In los- ing 4-1, Caliendo became the first oppo- nent of the season to prevent Mesenbrink from racking up bonus points. After- ward, Mesenbrink said he appreciated Caliendo's approach. "I want to score more points, but sometimes you have to battle," he said, per PennLive. "I appreciate Mikey, be- cause he wants to battle. There aren't many that do, and I appreciate that." As it turned out, the two Big Ten rivals were destined to meet again. Mesenbrink started the NCAA Cham- pionships as the top seed, while Cali- endo came in at No. 3. The Nittany Lion cruised to the final on the back of two quick technical falls, a decision and a major decision. Caliendo matched his first two results and then won twice by decision to reach the final. The sixth meeting between the two looked much like the fifth. Caliendo slowed Mesenbrink early. The Penn State wrestler led just 4-2 after two periods. But as is often the case, Mesenbrink's offense eventually became too much. He quickly escaped to start the third, and then worked for a takedown late to win his first national title by decision, 8-2. "It's so awesome to be able to have my parents and my girlfriend and my family, my siblings there," a thankful Mesen- brink said afterward. "And then I look over in my corner, and I've got the best coaches in the entire world. It just keeps getting better and better and better." Mesenbrink has gone 53-1 in two sea- sons at Penn State, with his only loss coming on a riding-time point in the 165-pound final at last year's NCAA Tournament. There's every reason to believe that more success is coming his way. In fact, as Carter Starocci prepares to move on, Mesenbrink appears next in line to be the hammer in the Lions' lineup in 2025-26 and beyond. "I'm just really appreciative of where I'm at and the people that surround me," Mesenbrink said. "I needed the great men and women and my parents and my family and my friends and all the people that I surround myself with and that I've been so lucky that God has surrounded me with to be able to do something like this." ■ After finishing as the runner-up at the 2024 NCAA Championships, Mesenbrink, a redshirt sophomore, won his first national title in Philadelphia. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS Mitchell Mesenbrink Makes Quick Work Of Tournament Foes G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M