Wrestling Postview: #1 Penn State 50, Princeton, 0

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Shayne Van Ness controls the action vs Princeton’s Eligh Rivera | Owen Rasmussen, Black Shoe Diaries

Honoring Seniors​

Join us tonight as we say goodbye to three senior Nittany Lions!
Be in your seats at 6:40 for the ceremony!#PSUwrpic.twitter.com/iZJPvMVFEd

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 20, 2026

Despite its Olympus-Mons-sized success, this team is young: dang young. This year, senior trainers Sadie Belsky and Tylar Sanderson were honored alongside academic powerhouse Brian Borden, and PSU starters National Champion Levi Haines and now officially retired-from-injuries and All American Aaron Nagao.

Haines reflected on his career afterward:

It’s gone really quick . . . I think when you’re always just trying to pursue being a master of yourself or mastering your craft, time just goes quick because you’re just focused on the task at hand. Time just seems to slip by really quick when you’re doing that. There are so many memories that I can’t tell you a favorite one. One that just sticks out in my memory is last year when we had a bunch of guys wrestle back to get third place. I think that was pretty special. It’s not the easiest thing to do. I’m just really proud of our guys and how they showed up for the team. They weren’t thinking poor me because they came up a little short; they just went out and did the next best thing and scored a lot of team points on the backside. That’s what helps bring team trophies back home.

Of Nagao, Cael shared:

Aaron [Nagao] has been very special to our program. Just a wonderful kid and a classy, happy, grateful, obviously tremendous competitor. Just unfortunately got the injury bug there the last couple years. But he is a high-character kid, obviously really good in a lot of positions, and helped lift everyone on the team. He’s a kid that’s going to be really successful in his life. We’ll certainly miss him. I’m super grateful that he came to Penn State.

Recap​

125 lbs – #1 Luke Lilledahl, Penn State win by DQ #12 Marc-Anthony McGowan, Princeton, 6-0​

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1st​

Luke took ground looking for ties and snaps, while McGowan alternated between stepping backwards and taking his knee to the mat. After the 2nd restart from this pattern, referee Jaime George warned the Tiger for stalling. A second stall warning and a point was issued on the fourth restart. 1-0

2nd​

Luke deferred, and McGowan sealed his hands for an escape. Luke netted a 2nd stall point by driving McGowan off their first tango to the boundary, and a 2-pointer (that the scoring table awarded, but George had lost count and only raised one finger) after the third (but not the buzzer-beating fourth). 4-1

3rd​

Luke’s corner considered the stalling DQ in play, so they indicated he take neutral to press the unusual advantage. Lilledahl tried a wrist snap, and some frequent clubs, yet McGowan continued with his fifth retreat, eking out a stalemate with elbow control at the edge. The sixth reverse march led to a penalty point awarded to Luke for a headgear pull. On the restart, McGowan took a half-shot before reversing, with Luke looking for an arm-drag before the Tiger circled to get an action call. The next restart was ultimately the final one, with McGowan called for his 5th and disqualifying stall warning before reaching the boundary—but not before considerable deliberation at the scorer’s table and lobbying from Princeton head coach Joe Dubuque. DQ in 6:54

Asked about the highly unusual match afterward, Cael said

I don’t know, maybe that’s a first on that one. I don’t remember that before. But Luke [Lilledahl] did a nice job. The whole time he was moving forward. The referees are usually trying to count shots, but that’s not what the rule book says. Stalling is what the opponent is doing. They are two separate things. You’re not supposed to earn a stalling call; it’s supposed to be a penalty for being passive and tactical and backing up and avoiding action. It’s not really called like that a lot. But we like when they call stalling; it benefits our program and that’s the style we want to wrestle. I think it benefits the sport if kids are stalling, call them. If we’re stalling, call us. It just increases the action. Don’t wait until there’s five seconds left and start calling stalling. If somebody’s stalling, call stalling. Don’t change the match, but enforce the rules. I don’t remember seeing anything quite like that before. You see kids get stalled out, but not in that kind of a situation with that score.

LUKE LILLEDAHL WINS BY DQ!! #PSUwrpic.twitter.com/9SiLM4LvvD

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 21, 2026

Penn State 6, Princeton 0​

133 lbs – #2 Marcus Blaze, Penn State Maj. Dec. #32 Ethan Rivera, Princeton, 11-3​

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1st​

Blaze also took ground, but Rivera threatened re-attacks off of Blaze’s wrist snaps before Marcus swung for a low single, finishing the takedown with a trip, reaching for the far ankle. Blaze worked a tight-waist, taking riding time to 1:04 before Rivera could stand for an escape. 3-1

2nd​

Rivera deferred, and Blaze had to work through a restart to turn out for an escape before down-blocking a Rivera shot and turning the corner for the takedown. Marcus cut him with just 27 seconds remaining, and had to defend a single leg to close the period. 7-2

3rd​

Rivera took down and Marcus rebuilt his advantage time to 1:06 before cutting him. They traded snaps at the edge, and Marcus shelved a single, and pulled the Tiger in for the score, riding out the period for the 11-3 Major Decision.

MARCUS BLAZE pulling in the 11-3 DUB!! #PSUwrpic.twitter.com/xvv262Pnte

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 21, 2026

Penn State 10, Princeton 0​

141 lbs – #12 Braeden Davis, Penn State Dec. Matthew Martino, Princeton, 11-8​

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The scrappy Martino came in with confidence after pinning #9 CJ Composto last weekend, while Braeden was regrouping after running into Hodge Trophy contender Jesse Mendez.

1st​

Braeden looked for his 2-on-1, dove for a double that Martino dodged, then eventually connecte on a gorgeous knee-pick for a takedown. Martino was able to turn away on an attempted mat return and Davis kept the pressure on, earning a stall warning just as he sank to a shallow single, which he patiently worked through positions to score from as time expired. 6-1

2nd​

Braeden chose bottom, and had to donkey-kick for an escape, with his reliable sit-out well scouted by the Tiger. After instructions from his corner, Martino then dug double-underhooks, throwing Davis by to a body-lock and taking him down. Davis was able to escape before Martino reached a minute in advantage time to close the period. 8-4

3rd​

Martino escaped and took ground on a fading Davis, earning a pair of stall warnings and a point before Braeden drove into a counter-shot for a takedown. Martino attacked relentlessly, getting third stall warning and second point before the buzzer. 11-8 Decision

DAVIS with the 11-8 WIN tonight at Rec Hall! #PSUwrpic.twitter.com/ItlHGLEIA1

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 21, 2026

Penn State 13, Princeton 0​

149 lbs – #1 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State Maj. Dec. #14 Eligh Rivera, Princeton, 15-6​

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1st​

They traded shots and sprawls, then Shayne blasted to a double-leg for a takedown, riding for 42 seconds before releasing Rivera—nearly scoring again on a snap & go-behind as they went out of bounds. Prompted by Dubuque, Rivera hit a nice slide-by and sought the Merkle position as he pulled Van Ness to the mat and eventually stepped all the way behind for a takedown. The Tiger coach had thrown a brick, looking for the points earlier, but lost the challenge. Shayne escaped on the restart and they again traded attacks with Shayne pouncing behind at the edge for his second takedown, taking advantage time to 1:03. 7-4

2nd​

The Tiger chose down and escaped. Van Ness twice dove on a low double but couldn’t keep his finish on the mat, but then down-blocked a shot, nearly locking a nearside cradle, threatening an assassin, then settling behind for a takedown. Shayne put on a relentless ride to close, with 2:02 in riding time. 10-5

3rd​

Shayne consulted with the PSU corner and took neutral. Rivera dove to a leg, but Van Ness’s sprawl allowed him to come behind for the counter-score. Shayne cut him and stalked Rivera to the edge twice, earning a stall warning as he snared a single-leg, but again went off the edge before finishing. Van Ness kept the pressure on and was awarded a stall point as he ended the bout in position to score off a single-leg. 15-6 Major Decision

Shayne VAN NESS with the 15-6 MAJOR! #PSUwrpic.twitter.com/mCoTn1HZjx

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 21, 2026

Penn State 17, Princeton 0​

157 lbs – #4 PJ Duke, Penn State Tech Fall Gavin Hawk, Princeton, 24-8​

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1st​

PJ worked Hawk to his knees from a 2-on-1, slipping through a whizzer for a go-behind takedown, and the catch-and-release game was on with Duke scoring three more takedowns: two via snatch-single and back-trip, adding a powerful mat return, hunting a nearside cradle, with his final takedown of the period off a crisp outside-step single-leg. Duke caught a bottom-leg turk and nearly turned the Tiger, looking for a bow and arrow before cutting Hawk in short time with 1:06 in advantage time, but his final attack was blown dead for potentially dangerous. 12-4

2nd​

PJ chose neutral, stuffed a shot, then doubled off his ankle pick to score before Hawk could react. He released his opponent and looked to knee-pick from an underhook, but instead cartwheeled out of Hawk’s inside-trip counter, scooting behind for the takedown. The Princeton wrestler sealed hands and earned a nice escape on the restart. 18-6

3rd​

Duke conceded an escape, went back to his underhook which Hawk again tried to counter with a trip, but action took them out. PJ then drove through a snatch-single to score, cut him, and used his underhook to slip behind to lock the 24-8 Technical Fall in 6:08.

OUR GUY! PJ Duke with the 24-8 TECH FALL! #PSUwrpic.twitter.com/sEvwZxXkFe

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 21, 2026

Penn State 22, Princeton 0​

165 lbs – #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State Pinned #19 Ty Whalen, Princeton​

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1st​

Whalen was ready and down-blocked Mitchell’s automatic opening whistle shot, slowing the onslaught with a front-headlock. Mesenbrink dove again after the next whistle, and scrambled for a double-leg finish, looking for his arm-bar and hammerlock series before cutting the Tiger. He reached for another shot and threatened a neutral fall to score a takedown, just getting the arm bar in position to run as time expired with 1:49 in riding time collected. 6-1

2nd​

Whalen chose bottom and Mitchell went right back to the arm-bar, running it over for the Fall in 3:31.

Mitchell Mesenbrink gets it DONE! Winner by Fall! #PSUwrpic.twitter.com/sWeMmBeqB2

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 21, 2026

Penn State 28, Princeton 0​

174 lbs – #1 Levi Haines, Penn State Pinned Cody Tavoso, Princeton​

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With Hank Williams Jr serenading them one last time, the Rec Hall crowd rose to their feet to recognize Levi Haines remarkable career in the blue and white singlet.

1st​

Tavoso cracked down on a good high-crotch and Haines was barely able to work his way out of it before snapping, grabbing the leg, and scooting around for his own takedown. He released the Tiger and repeated the same action to the other side for a score, then worked his bow and arrow to turn Tavoso, but lacked enough leverage on the chin to get a count rolling. He slipped legs in and looked for wrists, earning a stall warning on the Tiger and taking riding time to 1:48. 6-1

2nd​

Levi chose bottom and granby-rolled, shrugging Tavoso overhead for a reversal. Seemingly wanting to set up his pinning opportunities from neutral (and treat the fans to a highlight reel of his most reliable career moves), Haines cut the Tiger and:

• Cleared his elbow.
• Fired his trusty high-crotch.
• Hooked his deadly turk while finishing the takedown.
• Chinned Tavoso over into a Levi-Haines, Bow-Hunter, position.
• Introduced his opponent’s heel to his ear to secure the Fall in 4:06.

Levi Haines wins by FALL on his SENIOR NIGHT!! #PSUwrpic.twitter.com/m3zo8Z4bXX

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 21, 2026

Penn State 34, Princeton 0​

184 lbs – #1 Rocco Welsh, Penn State Tech Fall Xavier Giles, Princeton, 21-6​

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1st​

Rocco snapped from wrist control, push-pulled with an underhook and hit a high-crotch, and doubled off to open the scoring. Welsh released Giles and down-blocked shot for a go-behind takedown. Catch and release continued with the Penn Stater pouncing on a double leg and setting up his excellent outside-step to score twice more and take riding time to 1:14. 12-3

2nd​

The takedown showcase slowed only Rocco hunting for cradles while releasing Giles for 3 escapes, and collecting a stall warning on the Tiger, as he scored 3 more with another high-c, a swing-single, and a double-leg to ice the 21-6 Tech Fall in 4:11.

WELSH taking the DUB by TECH FALL! #PSUwrpic.twitter.com/dgzKp9jue6

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 21, 2026

Penn State 39, Princeton 0​

197 lbs – #1 Josh Barr, Penn State Pinned Conor McCloskey, Princeton​

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1st​

Barr worked heavy hands and an underhook to a beastly single-leg score at the edge. He looked for a cross-face cradle, and almost secured his assassin in releasing McCloskey, then horsed his underhook, getting the single leg and a quick finish on the Tiger’s reaction. Barr then baited the Princeton wrestler into raising his had, and secured the assassin for the Fall in 1:29.

JOSH BARR 's it in the FIRST PERIOD!! Winner by FALL! #PSUwrpic.twitter.com/rGsFWj4hE8

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 21, 2026

Penn State 45, Princeton 0​

285 lbs – #6 Cole Mirasola, Penn State Tech Fall Sebastian Garibaldi, Princeton, 21-6​

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Cole weighed in close to 227 lbs (226.7) and Garibaldi at a healthy 252. The disparity would hardly be a factor for the confident and skilled redshirt freshman.

1st​

Cole harassed Garibaldi with collar ties and shoulder-pushes, snatching a single and doubling off to open the scoring. He went full catch-and-release mode, earning a stall warning while scoring with a high-crotch, an outside-step, a misdirection single, and an ankle pick and accruing 1:03 in riding time. 15-4

2nd​

The Tiger chose bottom, and Cole picked up where he left off, cutting, then scoring with a single-leg, and after conceding a final escapee, doubling off a low single for the 22-6 Technical Fall in 3:46.

Asked about Cole’s progression to contender this season, Cael shared:

I think it is just the confidence factor. When you’re on this team with guys like Levi [Haines] and the rest of the squad, you want to wrestle at the same level. I think that’s what Cole [Mirasola] wants to do. Obviously, he wants to score points, he’s a team guy, he wants to contribute, and obviously has in many ways. We watched him through high school; he and Connor [Mirasola] just got better throughout their career every year. He’ll just keep doing the same thing in college as well. He’s wrestling really well. He’s a tough match for anybody in the country right now, so we’re excited for him.

Cole Mirasola ENDS TONIGHT'S MATCH with a TECH FALL! 50-0 PSU #PSUwrpic.twitter.com/cVIWGN0Tnr

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 21, 2026

Penn State 50, Princeton 0​

The Takery​

The superlatives this season tend to speak for themselves. The Lions extended their NCAA record dual meet win streak to 86, posted a 630-39 combined dual meet score (an average differential of 39.4), registering 486 takedowns to 42 conceded. They posted a shutout in more than half of their duals (8), and only conceded double-digit team points once (Nebraska, 12). They have 7 undefeated wrestlers after the regular season, six of whom are ranked #1 (and a 7th firmly in the conversation). Mathematically, they boast 6 of the 7 most dominant wrestlers in the land—two of whom are averaging better than a tech fall with 100% bonus wins (Mesenbrink and Barr). I don’t feel like I have to give much opinion here. Even with the 3-point takedown and, if we’re reaching, the 4 and 3 point near-falls in the rulebook, this was a season of historic proportions.

I will nod to the Princeton Squad. Setting aside one of the strangest, most perplexing “matches” I’ve ever seen at 125 lbs, Dubuque’s kids were well coached, had good ideas to score, and tried to against a team they had no chance of defeating.

With Penn State’s postseason performance under Cael Sanderson and Co regularly eclipsing their dual season success, the next steps may be even more thrilling for fans to witness.


Ridge Riley Award Winner: Levi Haines

Next Up: The B1G Championships kick off at 10 am EST on Saturday, March 7 in the Bryce Jordan Center (BTN, LionVision, B1G+ ($))

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