Penn State wrestlers, alumni, and recruits are notably absent from the upcoming 2025 U.S. Open, which is set to take place this weekend. This absence is primarily due to their commitment to the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships, scheduled for March 20–22 in Philadelphia. The NCAA tournament is a paramount event in collegiate wrestling, and Penn State’s athletes are prioritizing their participation to compete for national titles and contribute to the team’s overall success.
The Nittany Lions are entering the NCAA Championships with a strong lineup, featuring ten wrestlers—each seeded in the top eight of their respective weight classes. Notably, four of these athletes are top seeds: Luke Lilledahl (125 lbs), Tyler Kasak (157 lbs), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165 lbs), and Carter Starocci (184 lbs) citeturn0search0. This robust representation underscores the team’s depth and the individual athletes’ aspirations to secure national titles.
Given the proximity of the NCAA Championships and the rigorous training and preparation required, Penn State’s wrestlers are focusing their efforts on this prestigious event. Consequently, they have opted not to compete in the U.S. Open, aligning their schedules to peak at the NCAA tournament. This strategic decision reflects the program’s commitment to excellence and its athletes’ dedication to achieving success on the national stage.
