The NCAA released the first coaches’ ranking of the 2023-2024 season on Monday, and four Nittany Lions made the list. This past weekend, No. 1 Penn State wrestling toppled Michigan before sweeping Michigan State to continue its dominant start to the season.

Rankings in each weight class are determined by a vote from 14 coaches — two head coaches from each of the seven conferences. To qualify, each wrestler must be a designated starter at their weight class on their team and have competed in at least eight Division I wrestling matches this season, one of which in the last 30 days. These rankings are subject to change as the season continues and will eventually determine the seeding for the NCAA National Championship.

In the first edition of these rankings, four Nittany Lions eclipsed the top 33 wrestlers in their weight class.

At 125 pounds, Braeden Davis comes in at the No. 11 spot after improving his record to 12-0. The freshman recently burned his opportunity to redshirt after he solidified himself as the true starter in the weight class. This past weekend, Davis defeated a highly ranked opponent in Michigan’s Michael DeAugustino in a close 4-1 match and secured the win against Michigan State’s Tristan Lujan 7-3.

In the 133-pound class, Aaron Nagao reeled in the No. 2 position, only behind Ryan Crookham of Lehigh. Nagao wrestled a tough opponent in Michigan’s No. 3-ranked Dylan Ragusin where he lost by fall in sudden victory. Nagao quickly redeemed himself against the Spartans when he won via tech fall against Andy Hampton. Nagao is now 8-2 for Penn State.

Beau Bartlett is ranked No. 2 in the 141-pound weight class, coming second only to Real Woods of Iowa. Bartlett is still undefeated, supporting a 12-0 record this season. Bartlett came up with two decision victories this past weekend with wins against No. 22 Sergio Lemley of Michigan and No. 32 Jordan Hamdan of Michigan State.

The last Nittany Lion on this week’s rankings is 165-pounder Mitchell Mesenbrink at No. 7. The freshman delivered for the Nittany Lions this weekend after impressively extending his undefeated record. Mesenbrink defeated Michigan’s No. 8 Cameron Amine 12-1 in a major decision victory and then handed No. 10 Caleb Fish of Michigan State his first loss of the season in another major result a couple of days later. The Nittany Lion is off to a 13-0 start in his Penn State campaign.

There are still multiple wrestlers to watch out for in the coaches’ rankings in the coming weeks. Top-ranked wrestlers Levi Haines, Carter Starocci, Aaron Brooks, and Greg Kerkvliet have not yet met the match requirement for the rankings. That also applies to the top-five ranked Bernie Truax and budding freshman Tyler Kasak, ranked top 15 in the country.

Penn State will hit the road to take on Maryland on Sunday, January 28, in College Park. The dual will begin at noon and be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.