Updated March 21, 2026, 8:04 p.m. ET
- Penn State wrestler Mitchell Mesenbrink received the 165-pound NCAA Championship title.
- Mesenbrink defeated Iowa’s Mikey Caliendo with a 20-4 technical fall within the finals.
- The victory improved Mesenbrink’s profession file to 80-1 and helped Penn State safe its fifth straight crew title.
CLEVELAND — It appeared all too acquainted right here for Mitchell Mesenbrink.
The Penn State wrestling junior was starring in his third NCAA Championships finals.
He was going through a sure big-match opponent for the ninth time.
And he was proving, as soon as extra, why he is probably the most profitable Penn State wrestlers of all-time.
Mesenbrink improved to 80-1 in his profession with Saturday night time’s 165-pound title bout victory over Mikey Caliendo right here within the Rocket Arena. He pummeled the Iowa senior — even with a minimize opened above his eye — along with his ordinary relentless, fast-attacking model that is earned him the nickname, “The Missile.”
He hit 4 takedowns within the first interval alone on his strategy to the 20-4 technical fall victory.
Mesenbrink received the Nittany Lions‘ first nationwide title Saturday night time, following teammate Shayne Van Ness’ upset defeat at 149 kilos. The victory additionally padded PSU’s factors complete that clinched a fifth straight team title and pushes it towards one other NCAA file.
It was the newest success for Mesenbrink (27-0), whose solely faculty defeat got here within the NCAA title match as a freshman, and by a single level, at that. He led the NCAA “Most Dominant Wrestler” standings all season, successful every of his first 24 matches with bonus factors and is a favourite for the Hodge Trophy, given to the nation’s prime wrestler.
Mesenbrink additionally defeated Caliendo within the finals of the latest Big Ten Championships and final yr’s NCAA finals, amongst others.
Mesenbrink’s profession file provides him the highest successful share (98.8) at school historical past (for wrestlers with at the very least 50 matches). Those right behind him embody Ed Ruth (97.84, 136-3 file) and Olympic gold medal winner and present Oklahoma State coach David Taylor (97.81, 134-3).
And to assume that Mesenbrink grew up a Penn State wrestling fan in Wisconsin ― however wasn’t completed sufficient to earn the scholarship consideration of PSU in highschool.
A few years later, after breaking by means of on the worldwide event scene and beginning his faculty profession at Cal-Baptist, Mesenbrink pursued an even bigger stage. Sanderson and firm welcomed him as a switch and he shortly broke into the beginning lineup as a redshirt freshman, the place’s he received almost each match since.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State wrestling for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and comply with him on X, previously often called Twitter, @YDRPennState.
