Philadelphia, PA — Mitchell Mesenbrink, a standout redshirt sophomore for Penn State, capped off an incredible season by winning his first NCAA championship in dominant fashion. The top seed at 165 pounds, Mesenbrink defeated No. 3 Mikey Caliendo of Iowa 8-2 at the Wells Fargo Center, securing his place as a two-time All-American after finishing as the runner-up last year.
Mesenbrink’s third collegiate season, and second with the Nittany Lions, was nothing short of spectacular. He finished the year with 18 technical falls, the most in the nation, showcasing his remarkable skill and dominance on the mat.
Although his victory in the finals wasn’t a technical fall, it marked his third win over Caliendo this season and his sixth career victory against the Hawkeye wrestler.
Known for his fast-paced, aggressive style, Mesenbrink is one of the most exciting wrestlers in the sport today. His relentless attack often leads to high shot counts and a steady accumulation of points.
“I heard this saying before, about how joy is a verb, and you find enjoyment through the process of things as you reach an end goal,” Mesenbrink shared after his victory. “And that’s really it—the end goal. The only promised end goal is death. So I just go out there and bring it.”
He continued, reflecting on his approach to the sport: “If I win but don’t bring it, I’d rather go all out and lose. It may sound insane, but I can’t go to my coaches or my dad, who was my coach, and say, ‘I feel like I didn’t give it everything.’ It’s funny, I black out during the matches sometimes, and when I look back, I see the 25 shots I tried to fire off. I enjoy the process more than the winning itself. It’s a subtle reminder to stay focused and keep pushing.”
Mesenbrink’s victory adds to the Penn State legacy, as he becomes the second Nittany Lion to win a title in this session. With his dominant performance, he has firmly established himself as one of the sport’s top wrestlers, and his future looks even brighter.
