“Nittany Lions Roar: Trio of Wrestling Stars Eye NCAA’s Most Dominant Honor, Boosting Penn State’s College Wrestling Program”……….
Three Penn State wrestlers—Carter Starocci (184 lbs), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165 lbs), and Josh Barr (197 lbs)—are among the top 10 contenders for the NCAA’s Most Dominant Wrestler award. This honor is based on points earned through dominant victories. Penn State is the only program with three wrestlers in the top 10, while Oklahoma State has two, including leader Wyatt Hendrickson (5.22 points per bout). Starocci ranks second (5.11), Mesenbrink third (5.0), and Barr ninth (4.44).
Starocci (18-0) has secured 16 bonus-point wins, including six pins and seven technical falls. He aims to become the first five-time NCAA champion. Mesenbrink (19-0) leads the nation in technical falls (15) and has not allowed a takedown this season. Barr (15-1) has six pins and five technical falls, with his only loss coming against Iowa’s Stephen Buchanan.
Penn State (15-0) recently secured its fifth straight Big Ten regular-season title and remains undefeated for a fifth consecutive year, boasting a 71-match winning streak. The Nittany Lions could surpass Oklahoma State’s Division I record of 76 straight wins next season. The Big Ten Championships are set for March 8-9 at Northweste
rn.
