Penn State wrestling will not participate in the inaugural National Duals Invitational scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The tournament, organized by Oklahoma State and featuring a $200,000 prize for the champion, aims to showcase top NCAA Division I wrestling teams. However, Penn State, under head coach Cael Sanderson, has opted out of the event.
Coach Sanderson expressed skepticism about the necessity of such events, suggesting that the focus should remain on the NCAA Wrestling Championships rather than additional duals. He emphasized that while the National Duals Invitational has merit, it should not be seen as essential for creating excitement in college wrestling citeturn0search3.
Despite this, Penn State continues to dominate the collegiate wrestling scene. The Nittany Lions concluded 2024 with a 62-match win streak, the longest in school history, after a commanding performance at the Journeymen Collegiate Duals in Nashville, Tennessee, where they outscored opponents 137–3 across three duals citeturn0search0turn0search4.
The National Duals Invitational will announce its 16-team field by mid-July 2025. While Penn State’s absence is notable, the event is expected to feature other elite programs, contributing to the growth and visibility of college wrestling.
