Wrestling season is fast approaching, and Penn State wrestling is in a great position to capture its 13th national champion in the last 15 seasons.

InterMat released their preseason rankings for the 2025-26 season over the weekend, and the Nittany Lions are all over them. Nine of the ten weight classes are represented in the inaugural rankings, as well as the team ranking No. 1 in both the dual rankings and projected tournament rankings, firmly establishing Penn State as the preseason favorites to win a fifth consecutive national championship.

Penn State Wrestling
9 Wrestlers are in InterMat's Preseason Rankings (9/5/25)
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— Penn State/NLWC Fan (@NlwcFan) September 9, 2025

At 125 pounds, sophomore Luke Lilledahl comes in at No. 3, looking to build on a strong freshman year, which saw him win an individual Big Ten title before placing third at the NCAA’s. Only North Carolina State’s Vincent Robinson, the reigning national champion, and Oklahoma State’s Troy Spratley are ranked higher.

Junior Braeden Davis comes in at No. 9 at 133 pounds after placing fifth at the NCAA’s last season. Injuries for much of last season hampered the 2024 Big Ten champion at 125 pounds, although he was healthy for the postseason.

The lone weight class without a ranked Penn State wrestler is 141 pounds after the departure of three-time All-American Beau Bartlett. Cael Sanderson has kept his projected lineup close to the vest, and it’s currently not known who will suit up at 141. Two highly decorated freshmen, Marcus Blaze and Masanosuke Ono, are candidates to fill the position and rise up the ranks as the season wears on.

Redshirt junior Shayne Van Ness will be ranked No. 2 at 149 pounds, only behind Virginia Tech’s Caleb Henson. Van Ness placed third at the 2023 and 2025 NCAA Championships at the weight, and will look to get over the hump this year.

Junior Tyler Kasak also comes in at No. 2 for his weight at 157 pounds. The two-time All-American and 2025 Big Ten champion was undefeated last season until an injury default against Maryland. He is only ranked behind the reigning national champion, Antrell Taylor of Nebraska.

Junior Mitchell Mesenbrink is the only returning national champion for the Nittany Lions, going undefeated last season. He is undeniably the No. 1 wrestler at 165 pounds this season.

Senior Levi Haines, after placing third in his first year at 174 pounds last season, claims the No. 1 spot with the reigning champion Dean Hamiti graduating. Haines is a three-time Big Ten champion and won a national championship in 2024 at 157 pounds.

Sophomore Rocco Welsh will look to fill the shoes of five-time national champion Carter Starocci at 184 pounds. The Ohio State transfer will open the season ranked No. 2 behind Minnesota’s Max McEnelly, the only wrestler Starocci surrendered a takedown to last season. Welsh placed second at the 2024 NCAA Championships.

Redshirt Sophomore Josh Barr will open the season at No. 1 at 197 pounds after an incredible freshman season that saw him place second at the NCAA’s and go 22-4.

Redshirt freshman Cole Mirasola comes in at No. 12 after backing up former national champion Greg Kerkvliet last season. Mirasola lost each of his dual meet matches last season, but is accomplished in the freestyle scene.

Penn State wrestling has yet to release their full 2025-26 schedule, but they have several non-conference match dates confirmed, including a November 14 match against Oklahoma that could serve as the season opener.