Penn State vs. Ohio State Wrestling Clash: Comprehensive Weight-by-Weight Preview

The highly anticipated wrestling duel between No. 1 Penn State and No. 2 Ohio State is set to take place at Bryce Jordan Center. This event is crucial as both teams contend for the top position in college wrestling. As Penn State aims to maintain its longstanding dominance, Ohio State remains undefeated and poised to make a statement.

Weight-by-Weight Preview of the Clash

125 Pounds: Luke Lilledahl vs. Nic Bouzakis

The match kicks off with No. 1 Luke Lilledahl facing No. 2 Nic Bouzakis, both of whom are currently undefeated for the season. Bouzakis stands at 11-0, having defeated renowned competitors such as Jore Volk and Stevo Poulin. Lilledahl has a remarkable record, losing only to his teammate Nate Desmond. This first encounter will be a pivotal moment for both wrestlers, setting the stage for NCAA Championship seeding.

133 Pounds: Marcus Blaze vs. Ben Davino

At 133 pounds, No. 4 Marcus Blaze will battle No. 2 Ben Davino, with both athletes unbeaten in their freshman campaign. Davino has notable wins against ranked opponents, while Blaze recently topped Davino at the 2025 US Open. Their prior encounters heighten the stakes, promising an electrifying matchup.

141 Pounds: Braeden Davis vs. Jesse Mendez

At 141 pounds, Jesse Mendez, undefeated at 17-0, puts his record on the line against Braeden Davis from Penn State. Davis, who has been hampered by a recent injury, holds an 8-2 record. Mendez, a strong candidate for the Hodge Trophy, must seize this chance for bonus points, while Davis aims to mitigate damage against the top contender.

149 Pounds: Shayne Van Ness vs. Ethan Stiles

No. 1 Shayne Van Ness faces No. 6 Ethan Stiles. Van Ness is unbeaten at 16-0 and will be looking to secure a bonus-point victory. Historically, Van Ness pinned Stiles during their previous meeting, adding pressure on Stiles to perform against one of the best in the nation.

157 Pounds: PJ Duke or Daxton Chase vs. Landon Desselle

At 157 pounds, Penn State’s No. 4 PJ Duke is set to confront redshirt freshman Landon Desselle, who is struggling with a five-match losing streak. Duke, a standout performer, seeks to dominate this matchup, while Desselle needs to step up to avoid giving away crucial bonus points.

165 Pounds: Mitchell Mesenbrink vs. Paddy Gallagher

Defending champion No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink takes on No. 16 Paddy Gallagher, who recently suffered losses to top opponents. Mesenbrink, boasting 17 wins this season, is a formidable challenge for Gallagher, who needs a significant victory for momentum in the dual.

174 Pounds: Levi Haines vs. Carson Kharchla

The clash at 174 pounds features undefeated No. 1 Levi Haines against No. 5 Carson Kharchla. Haines, who holds a 16-0 record, previously defeated Kharchla 6-4 in their last encounter. This match is critical for both wrestlers, especially for Kharchla to assert his strength against the top seed.

184 Pounds: Rocco Welsh vs. Dylan Fishback

At 184 pounds, Rocco Welsh, a former Ohio State wrestler, faces No. 8 Dylan Fishback. Welsh is favored to win, entering the match unbeaten. Fishback needs to perform well to keep the dual competitive as he is known for his ability to upset higher-ranked opponents.

197 Pounds: Josh Barr vs. Luke Geog

In this prolific matchup, No. 1 Josh Barr squares off against No. 10 Luke Geog. Barr is currently undefeated, looking to extend his flawless season, while Geog makes strides with a solid record of 14-3, but faces a tough challenge with Barr.

285 Pounds: Cole Mirasola vs. Nick Feldman

Lastly, the heavyweight showdown features No. 12 Cole Mirasola against No. 3 Nick Feldman. Feldman previously secured a victory against Mirasola in their last encounter and aims to deliver another solid performance after a recent win against an All-American.

• Event Details: Dual between No. 1 Penn State and No. 2 Ohio State at the Bryce Jordan Center.
• Date: Upcoming Friday.
• Significance: This matchup is pivotal for NCAA Championship positioning and team rankings.

The outcomes across these ten bouts have the potential to shape the narratives for both teams as they head into the postseason.