The No. 1 Penn State wrestling team showcased its dominance with a resounding 43-3 victory over Drexel in a sold-out dual meet in Philadelphia. This win, marked by nine bouts secured with bonus points, underscores Penn State's continued quest for a fifth consecutive national title and 13th since 2011.
Historical Context
Despite their geographical proximity in Pennsylvania, this meeting was only the third in history between Penn State and Drexel. The first encounter occurred during the 2002-2003 season, with the most recent being the previous year on Penn State's home turf, where PSU won with a similar score of 41-3.
Match Highlights
Penn State commenced the night with victories at 125 and 133 pounds. Drexel's senior Jordan Soriano managed to secure a win at 141 pounds, defeating Penn State redshirt freshman Cael Nasdeo with an 8-5 decision. However, the Nittany Lions quickly regained control, winning the remaining seven matches.
One of the most anticipated matches featured Penn State senior Levi Haines, the 2024 national champion, against Drexel redshirt sophomore Jasiah Queen at 174 pounds. Haines secured a 12-1 major decision over Queen.
Key Performances
- Luke Lilledahl (125): Secured a major decision victory (19-7) over Desmond Pleasant.
- Marcus Blaze (133): Won by fall in 4:33 against Kyle Waterman.
- Shayne Van Ness (149): Achieved a technical fall (21-4) over Patrick Kelly.
- PJ Duke (157): Clinched a fall in just 1:15 against Luke Nichter.
- Mitchell Mesenbrink (165): Dominated with a technical fall (20-4) over Cody Walsh.
- Levi Haines (174): Earned a major decision (12-1) against Jasiah Queen.
- Rocco Welsh (184): Secured a major decision (13-3) over Ethan Wilson.
- Connor Mirasola (197): Achieved a technical fall (23-5) over Justin Griffith.
- Cole Mirasola (285): Won by major decision (10-2) against Nate Schon.
The Nittany Lions outscored Drexel 38-2 in takedowns, demonstrating their dominance on the mat. Shayne Van Ness (149), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165), and Connor Mirasola (197) all secured technical falls. Levi Haines (174), Rocco Welsh (184), and Cole Mirasola (285) added to the victory with major decisions.
Read also: A History of Penn State Wrestling Arenas
Select Matches: Drexel at Penn State | Big Ten Wrestling | 11/17/2024
Team Rankings
While Penn State has maintained its top position in the FloWrestling team rankings, Drexel has also garnered recognition for its early success, tying for No. 50 in the NCAA DI Wrestling Rankings.
Match-By-Match Results
Here are the detailed results from each match:
| Weight Class | Winner | Loser | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 125 | Luke Lilledahl (PSU) | Desmond Pleasant (DREX) | Major Decision 19-7 |
| 133 | Marcus Blaze (PSU) | Kyle Waterman (Drexel) | Fall 4:33 |
| 141 | Jordan Soriano (Drexel) | Cael Nasdeo (Penn State) | Decision 8-5 |
| 149 | Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) | Patrick Kelly (Drexel) | Technical Fall 21-4 (6:52) |
| 157 | PJ Duke (Penn State) | Luke Nichter (Drexel) | Fall 1:15 |
| 165 | Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) | Cody Walsh (Drexel) | Technical Fall 20-4 (5:11) |
| 174 | Levi Haines (Penn State) | Jasiah Queen (Drexel) | Major Decision 12-1 |
| 184 | Rocco Welsh (Penn State) | Ethan Wilson (Drexel) | Major Decision 13-3 |
| 197 | Connor Mirasola (Penn State) | Justin Griffith (Drexel) | Technical Fall 23-5 (5:28) |
| 285 | Cole Mirasola (Penn State) | Nate Schon (Drexel) | Major Decision 10-2 |
Looking Ahead
Penn State's quest for a fifth straight national title continues with a home dual against No. 17-ranked Lehigh. The Nittany Lions will also be featured on FloWrestling when they travel to face Wyoming. Drexel will return to action with a visit to Rutgers.
Read also: Penn State Wrestling vs. Wyoming Recap
Read also: Discover a century of Penn State Wrestling