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CLEVELAND
Penn State wrestling is officially the national team champion after a record-breaking performance at the NCAA championships.
Again.
The Nittany Lions won their fifth straight team title by amassing a record-breaking 181.5 points Saturday, breaking the mark they set at last season’s NCAA championships (177 points). It is the program’s 13th national championship since coach Cael Sanderson took over in 2009.
Four PSU wrestlers came away with individual titles Saturday night, including Luke Lilledahl (125 pounds), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165), Levi Haines (174) and Josh Barr (197). Two others — Shayne Van Ness (149) and Rocco Welsh (184) — finished as runners-up.
Here’s an inside look at Penn State’s memorable three-day run at Cleveland’s Rocket Arena:
The Penn State wrestling team celebrates winning the team title at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Luke Lilledahl high-fives fans after winning the 125-pound title at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Princeton’s Marc-Anthony McGowan and Penn State's Luke Lilledahl face off in the 125-pound championship bout at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Josh Barr controls Oklahoma State’s Cody Merrill in the 197-pound championship bout at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Josh Barr is introduced for this 197-pound championship bout at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Rocco Welsh reaches for Minnesota’s Max McEnelly as the time winds down in their 184-pound championship bout at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Levi Haines hugs his wife after winning the 174-pound title at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Levi Haines wrestles Nebraska’s Christopher Minto in the 174-pound championship bout at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Iowa’s Michael Caliendo lays in defeat as Penn State's Mitchell Mesenbrink smiles toward his family after winning the 165-pound championship bout at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Mitchell Mesenbrink controls Iowa’s Michael Caliendo in the 165-pound championship bout at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Stanford's Aden Valencia is twisted with Penn State's Shayne Van Ness in sudden victory of the 149-pound championship bout at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's PJ Duke controls Ohio State's Brandon Cannon in the 157-pound bronze medal match at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Duke won by tech fall 20-4 at 6:37. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Marcus Blaze controls Stanford's Tyler Knox in a 133-pound consolation semifinal bout at the NCAA wrestling championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State wrestling coach Cody Sanderson yells at a referee after PJ Duke fell to Oklahoma State’s Landon Robideau in a 157-pound semifinal bout of the NCAA wrestling championships on Friday, March 20, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Coaches and fans react as Penn State's PJ Duke controls Oklahoma State’s Landon Robideau in a 157-pound semifinal bout of the NCAA wrestling championships on Friday, March 20, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Shayne Van Ness controls Nebraska’s Chance Lamer in a 149-pound semifinal bout of the NCAA wrestling championships on Friday, March 20, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Luke Lilledahl controls Oklahoma State’s Troy Spratley in a 125-pound semifinal bout of the NCAA wrestling championships on Friday, March 20, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
A young fan holds up a towel to get wrestling signatures before the semifinals of the NCAA wrestling championships on Friday, March 20, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Levi Haines controls Michigan’s Beau Mantanona in a 174-pound quarterfinal bout at the NCAA wrestling championships on Friday, March 20, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State's Braeden Davis controls West Virginias’ Jordan Titus in a 141-pound bout at the NCAA wrestling championships on Friday, March 20, 2026. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
This story was originally published March 22, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
