The Penn State Nittany Lions have officially clinched their 12th NCAA Championship under Cael Sanderson, and 13th overall….
The Penn State Nittany Lions have secured their 12th NCAA Wrestling Championship under head coach Cael Sanderson, marking their 13th overall title. The team amassed a record-breaking 177 points at the 2025 NCAA Championships held at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, surpassing their previous record of 172.5 points set last year.
A standout moment from the tournament was Carter Starocci’s historic achievement. Competing in the 184-pound weight class, Starocci became the first wrestler to win five national titles, having previously secured four titles at 174 lbs. This unprecedented feat was made possible by an eligibility waiver granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to Starocci’s success, Penn State crowned three other individual champions:
Luke Lilledahl at 125 pounds
Tyler Kasak at 157 pounds
Mitchell Mesenbrink at 165 pounds
This collective performance underscores Penn State’s dominance in collegiate wrestling.
The championship also highlighted the strength of the Big Ten Conference, with seven wrestlers claiming individual titles. Notably, Nebraska achieved its best program finish by securing second place with 117 points.
This victory reinforces Penn State’s wrestling legacy and exemplifies the team’s commitment to excellence under Coach Sanderson’s leadership.
