Opinion: Predicting Penn State wrestling's 2025 lineup

Another year, another national championship. Cael Sanderson and the Penn State wrestling team now look forward to next year, losing some big names from the 2024 squad.

Five-time national champion Carter Starocci departs, alongside fellow former national champion Greg Kerkvliet. Three-time All-American Beau Bartlett also leaves, leaving a hole in the lineup at 141.

So who will step up to the plate to fill these vacancies? Luke Stefanisko and Carson Schuler will give their expert picks on the Nittany Lion wrestling lineup for next season.

125: Luke Lilledahl, Sophomore

The 125 pound curse at Penn State may finally see its conclusion next season. Lilledahl was phenomenal in his first NCAA tournament.

Barring a tough loss to Richard Seymour in the quarterfinals, Lilledahl could have been the first Penn State 125er to win a national championship since 2016.

“Lightning” Luke Lilledahl is poised to be one of the most highly touted 125lbers in the country and will be a top pick to be the NCAA champ next year.

133: Masanosuke Ono, Freshman | Braeden Davis, Junior

Penn State made a splash recently nabbing world-champion wrestler Masanosuke Ono. Ono is a phenomenal wrestler, but questions remain about his adjustment to folkstyle wrestling.

With Braeden Davis earning All-American honors this year, this weight class becomes one of the most intriguing spots for next year. We predict it will come down to a wrestle-off, which will certainly be a tight one.

With him being the 61 kg world champion, most of us expect him to compete at 133, but we wonder how the college schedule and having to make weight every week will affect Ono.

141: Marcus Blaze, Freshman

The number one ranked pound-for-pound wrestler in the 2025 class also arrives at Penn State next season. Blaze, a four time Ohio state champion, will fill the void in the lineup that Beau Bartlett’s departure leaves.

While Ono or Davis could move up to challenge Blaze, we think his potential will be enough to earn him the 141 spot next season.

Marcus has one of the most impressive high school resumes and is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with come next season. The uncertainty of who will wrestle at what weight remains to be seen, but the caliber of whoever starts at these weights is undeniable.

149: Shayne Van Ness, Junior

Like many Nittany Lions this season, Van Ness faced tough competition throughout the year and especially in the NCAA tournament. He fell to Nebraksa’s Ridge Lovett in a 6-14 decision. But after that he cruised to third place for the second time in his career.

We expect Van Ness to continue next season on the offensive, pushing the pace in every match. With no real new additions at 149, Van Ness should take the mat again at the spot for PSU next season.

157: Tyler Kasak, Junior

Tyler Kasak had a rollercoaster of a season. Starting off undefeated before taking an injury default after being concussed in a dual-meet against Maryland.

Kasak would win a Big Ten title before being upset in the NCAA tournament by Joey Blaze. Kasak would earn third-place. Kasak spoke about how losing in the first round last season taught him a lesson, and we think that same lesson will be in the back of his mind as he battles throughout the upcoming year.

165: Mitchell Mesenbrink, Redshirt-Junior

Penn State’s returning 165 National Champion will look for another next season. Mesenbrink has been defeated once in his career, by NCAA legend David Carr in last year’s 165 final.

Mesenbrink will be a Hodge trophy contender next year and could even bring home the award this year. Mikey Caliendo will be lurking, but Mesenbrink has had his number. We expect more domination this upcoming season, and don't be surprised if he goes undefeated once again.

174: Levi Haines, Senior

Levi Haines has been one of the most exciting wrestlers and proved he can do it at multiple weight classes this year. He bumped up two weight classes to wrestle 174 this season.

The class now becomes wide open for him with the first and second-place finishers both graduating. Haines took third-place in the loaded class. He is one of the top contenders to win the title at 174 next season.

184: Zack Ryder, Redshirt-Freshman

If Zack Ryder ends up as the replacement for 184 next year, he will have a tough task filling in Starocci’s shoes, but the freshman went 8-0 this season before redshirting.

We think he is a perfect answer to that question. Ryder took silver at the U20 World Championships in 2024. Ryder has wrestled some matches at PSU and has yet to be defeated. He is someone that could fly under-the-radar into All-American status next season.

197: Josh Barr, Redshirt-Sophomore

Josh Barr came out of nowhere this season to make the national championship and earn himself second place in the NCAA tournament.

Barr will face competition from Conner Mirasola, the twin brother of heavyweight-hopeful Cole Mirasola. Barr should hold the spot and embark on his revenge tour to earn the national title. His tenacity and high engine epitomize the culture of Penn State Wrestling.

285: Cole Mirasola, Redshirt-Freshman

The heavyweight division will have a lot of new faces next season. With Wyatt Hendrickson, Gable Steveson and Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet departing. Cole Mirasola will have big shoes to fill for the former national champ Greg Kerkvliet.

Mirasola went 6-2 this past season, and with big shoes to fill, it will be interesting to see his progression into the starting lineup.

Carson Schuler is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cts5357@psu.edu.
Luke Stefanisko is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ljs6415@psu.edu.