Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544665
4 4 M A Y 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M WRESTLING O n paper, the yearly ritual of pro- jecting Penn State's wrestling lineup for the next season that is about seven months away shouldn't be overly difficult, yet plenty of uncer- tainty could prevail. The Nittany Lions are returning 10 NCAA Tournament qualifiers and nine All-Americans, as well as 155 team points. A sixth consecutive team title, which would be PSU's 14th in the past 16 seasons if it occurs, is a relatively strong bet. But while five weights should have repeat starters, the five others have multiple candidates, based on redshirts and overall positional needs. There was early speculation that a Penn State wrestler or two could en- ter the transfer portal. Heading into the last few days of April, only one had done so — senior 285-pounder Lucas Cochran. Let's take a look at how next year's lineup is shaping up now that the off- season is well underway and the roster mostly established. 125 POUNDS Penn State fans can't wait to watch Year 3 from Lightning Luke Lilledahl, the Hodge Trophy finalist who just won his first NCAA title af- ter a third-place finish as a freshman. Lilledahl, a fan favorite, said after his fi- nals win over Princeton's Marc-Anthony McGowan that he wants to own the 125-pound class for the next two years. His confidence is infectious, and he is Penn State's best leadoff guy in a decade. 133 POUNDS Questions abound at this weight class. Would fourth-place finisher Marcus Blaze prefer to red- shirt rather than compete as a sopho- more? Will Masanosuke Ono, the Japa- nese world champion who is on Penn State's roster, adjust well to folkstyle and wrestle at 133 as a redshirt junior? Rising sophomore Nate Desmond had a temporary stint at 141 this past season but weighed in at 138. He's another op- tion, and it's also possible that Blaze will continue with the status quo in order to maintain his 61-kilogram (134.5-pound) weight for freestyle competition. 141 POUNDS Whomever slots in here, they'll have to bulk up a bit, whether it's Blaze, Desmond, Ono or Braeden Davis. Davis started as a junior this past sea- son but might opt to redshirt. Desmond and Ono growing into the weight isn't out of the realm of possibility, keeping Blaze at 133, but Ono likely has 61kg in mind for freestyle. 149 POUNDS It's back to stability here. Three-time All-American Shayne Van Ness (third/third/second) has one more season of eligibility, and there's little reason to think he won't use it. Van Ness very likely will eclipse the 100 career wins mark next season. 157 POUNDS Back to the unknown. Two-time All-American Tyler Ka- sak is returning for his redshirt junior campaign; how much does he weigh? NCAA third-place finisher PJ Duke will be a sophomore; how much weight is he cutting (and making 70kg might be getting difficult)? Redshirt sopho- more Joe Sealey also would like a shot, and incoming recruit Jayden James, a Virginia Tech flip, has the potential to wrestle the same way Kasak and Duke did as freshmen. It would make sense for James to redshirt. How can the logjam be alleviated? If Kasak can hold 157 and Duke redshirts Lions Look Strong In 2027, But Even Dynasties Face Questions J I M CA R L S O N | B L U E W H I T E C O N T R I B U T O R PJ Duke finished third at NCAAs in the 157-pound class, but he could be headed for a redshirt year in anticipation of mov- ing up to 165 pounds in 2028. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS