2024-25's Penn State wrestling lineup could be better than the one that just set records!

Could the 2024-2025 Penn State wrestling lineup be better than the season before? It is a very real possibility. After the 2023-2024 squad just set NCAA records, Cael Sanderson's upcoming lineup has the potential to set those same records again. Despite losing Aaron Brooks and Bernie Truax, the Nittany Lions could return veteran superstars Carter Starocci, Greg Kerkvliet, and Beau Bartlett, as well as other mainstays like Levi Haines, Mitchell Mesenbrink, and others. What would that starting lineup look like? Locked On Nittany Lions host Zach Seyko and Jeff Byers, the voice of Penn State wrestling team up once again to preview what is to come for Penn State wrestling. Plus, the Olympic Trials in the Bryce Jordan Center are just a few weeks away. Get an overview of what to expect from a competition featuring the greatest of great talent.
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[@paulf6321]

Absolutely love listening to Jeff Byers and greatly appreciate what he does and the value he adds to the experience of a PSU alum amd wrestling fan. Thank you Jeff, and thank you Zach for covering the best college sport of all time!

[@robertweaver2960]

**** It is the Classic Joke scenario of "The #1 team in the Nation is Penn State and the #2 team is sitting on their bench."

[@thomasfrederick2912]

New to the site. Longtime PSU wrestling fan. Jeff Byers is the most awesome announcer there is. My high school wrestling coach was Chris Koll, the son of PSU at the time. We are!

[@ericb.davenport9762]

I always look forward to your broadcast. Great stuff. Thank you.

[@TimM-wk1zx]

I’m hoping 125 Lillendahl 133 Davis 141 Beau 149 SVN 157 Mitchell 165 Levi 174 Facundo 184 Carter 197 Cochran HWT Kerk

[@AlanHill-vg7zd]

Why move Carter up though? He wants to wrestle 74 kg long term, so he needs to stay down. And I’m not convinced Facundo at 174 is better option than Barr at 184

[@cgmoran91]

@@AlanHill-vg7zd This would be next year and if Carter comes back the olympics with be in his background. It makes sense for him to go 184. Win the 5th title and transition to MMA.

[@AlanHill-vg7zd]

@@cgmoran91nah. Even MMA, makes more sense to fight 170. And his only shot at Olympics is 2028 and beyond so I don’t think that’s gonna be behind him soon

[@cgmoran91]

So many seniors from 2020 got the shaft. Joseph, Mark Hall and so many others. It should have been the only the guys who got their season canceled that got the extra year. Thanks for bringing up the topic.

[@AllHandlesHaveBeenTaken]

As long as Byers narrates the home matches is what I am hoping for most. Everything else will work itself out

[@cmap4519]

I know Starocci is a driven man but I’m not sure entering the Olympic Trials is a smart move. He really limped to the finish line at NCAAs and one month rest isn’t going to change that- a 100% healthy & focused Staroccci wouldn’t be a lock at BJC. He needs to heal that knee and consider coming back to State College.

[@scottw.9610]

I agree with not doing the Olympic tryouts this month, but I think doing another year with PSU isn't right for him. Now, training with Nittany Lion Wrestling Club to train for next level competition would be right.

[@philcorey3200]

He could get a 5th national championship he would be the ONLY one in the world with 5. he definitely should do it ,+ he also shoulda got a Hodge

[@steveb6764]

I agree the Olympic dream isn’t gonna work out due to the infortunate knee problem. However I do believe he can train in state college for whatever is next,AND SIMULTANEOUSLY get a fifth natty on a part time basis which in itself would be legendary

[@giacalonebuilding4443]

Barr and facundo gonna be studs next year. Same school as Brent metcalf and also 4x state champs like Brent

[@deathwalker5572]

Jeff Byers is great!

[@farbeyonddriven8173]

Can someone explain the process of an Olympic RS for say Alex Facundo? He has a quick exit from Natty's 2 years ago, and decides to take the ORS. How does he qualify?

[@K2NOPS]

I believe being a former world medalist gets you a ticket. He has a cadet bronze or something

[@TimM-wk1zx]

AB wins the Hodge….Finished the year with 96 takedowns and gave up ZERO.

[@Xuvetyn2]

It’s fun to speculate, but there’s still so much that could happen. Guys could get hurt at trials, Last Chance, or even the Olympics themselves. And God forbid something happens out of the blue like happened to Sasso. Heck, we wouldn’t even be talking about Kasak if SVN hadn’t gone down. Some of these questions may be answered for us.

[@michaelknaub6912]

Just thinking out loud... 125 Lilledahl? Ngao vs Davis at 133 or Davis RS. Not sold on Ngaoat 133. Bartlett at 141. Kasak at 149, SVN moves to 157, Mitch at 165, Haines moves to 174. Can Facundo compete v Haines at 174 or Barr at 184. Facundo may need to transfer.

[@cgmoran91]

This works if Carter comes back at 184.

[@tylermitchell0398]

You really think Facundo will ever leave 😂😂😂, you’re crazy

[@zekegaeta9169]

Here’s what I think your line up looks like: 125: Davis 133: Davis/Nagao 141: Bartlett 149: Kasak 157: Van Ness 165: Haines 174: Mesenbrink 184: Barr: 197: Frichone 285: Mirasola (If Kerkflete doesn’t come back)

[@AlanHill-vg7zd]

I wonder if Gibson could challenge at 133 too. He’s pretty damn good

[@zekegaeta9169]

@@AlanHill-vg7zd he’s good. I’d say he could even crack the line up his first year but I think it would be better if he redshirted is freshman year. He still has some learning and growth to deal with

[@KevinDavid165]

Gibson won’t be consistent. Too many holes. I’d go redshirt with him for sure…

[@dennismumford6108]

With a rule change or 2 and the right transfers PSU could have 12 to 17 finalists next year. That would definitely lead to more than 200 points at championships and a win by more than 150 points. That would then probably lead to even better numbers in '25-'26.

[@giacalonebuilding4443]

There’s only 10 weight classes. And Ohio state is going to be nasty nobody is beating them by 100 let alone 150 with sasso back and everyone a year more experienced

[@dennismumford6108]

@@giacalonebuilding4443 With 10 weight classes you have to have 20 finalists. I started my comment with:---"with a rule change or 2".

[@chucktaneyhill2083]

I don’t understand what you are trying to say with 12-17 finalists…. Even with your follow up post

[@dennismumford6108]

@@chucktaneyhill2083 Right now with the current rules no team could have more than 10 finalists---1 per weight class. That is why I start with---With a rule change or 2----and the right transfers---PSU coulkd have 12 to 17 finalists next year. In other words, both wrestlers in finals could be PSU wrestlers at any weight class WITH A RULE CHAMGE OR TWO !!! It takes 2 wrestlers in finals at every weight class---a winner and a loser. What don't you understand ??

[@chucktaneyhill2083]

@@dennismumford6108 and are you hearing of any potential “rule changes or two” wherein schools would be allowed to have multiple entrants at each weight? And if they did, who are you to say 12-17? Why wouldn’t you just say possibly 20 finalists since you live in hypothetical land. I mean…with a rule change or two I wouldn’t have to pay taxes or go to work tomorrow. But then…I don’t live in fantasy land so that is why I struggled to comprehend your post. Good day sir!

[@davidbrown386]

I expect next year to be slightly worse then this year. Losing Brooks, Starocci ( likely) and Kerk ( possibly) is why. Does it mean they will not be champions? No but it will be like the 1999 Yankees compared to the all time great 1998 Yankee team.

[@youarerightboss]

Starocci and Kirkvliet are coming back

[@stephenmoist623]

Listen. The Big time Wrestling Donors MUST get B. Bartlett, Carter S, and Greg K back for 1 Final season !!!! Let’s break our NCAA scoring Title. Bartlett can win his 1st National Championship, Carter could win his 5th Record breaking Title, and we MUST have Greg fill in at HWT and win his 2nd National Championship !!!! Let’s Go Big Donors make it happen !!!!

[@robertmccamman4630]

I see Davis at 133 and Kasak at 149. Somebody is probably going to leave.

[@npierce14]

If only SVN fooled everybody with that 3rd place finish made every forget how he had 0 offense and a mediocre season. Even in the tournament he was losing to average guys until turning them in 3rd period. Not looking forward to watching him and facundo again

[@Kenneth-tz4sx]

What a wonderful dilemma to have. Which national champ or runner-up sits the bench 🤔 Certainly Davis at 25 is a stretch. He was a really long 25 pounder this year. With beau at 41 nagao could realistically be a 41 bench because I think Davis could take that one. Same at 65. Messenbrink is a more realistic 65 pounder by natural size pushing Levi down to 57 again to go head to head with either kasak or what's his name. To me the only real non contender is truax. Sorry, but he just isn't that good. He doesn't have that killer instinct. Doesn't push for a bonus point finish, just tries to survive. If you finish 4X all American with never a runner-up then you're just not that guy. I think Carter to 84 is certainly a better bargain. Seems like 97 might be the only weight without a problem wrestle off and maybe 25 and 33 depending on Luke. Every other team's fantasy is Penn state's nightmare.

[@youarerightboss]

PSU could have 7 Champions

[@ricktaylor27]

I say realistically 5 champs

[@mikejosephson2594]

Never better than 2 4 timers

[@philcorey3200]

Why would Messinbrink go down to 57 & fight Haines ? Thats stupid Messinbrink was great at 165 Haines will be at 157 Tyler should be at 149 he is better now than Van Ness

[@deathwalker5572]

Please replace zach.

[@npierce14]

I’m really NOT excited to watch SVN again his 3rd place finish was a fluke and unexpected we all know that

[@farrierss1724]

Can't agree, he will be a beast next year. Very much looking forward to seeing him wrestle again