Penn State wrestling could take over the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials this week.
It's one thing for the university to host a wrestling qualifying event for this summer's Olympics in Paris, France.
It's quite another to potentially dominate the most popular men's freestyle competition, which is filled with past, present and future Nittany Lions.
It will feature 17 freestyle wrestlers across six weight classes with deep ties to Penn State, which recently won a record NCAA Championship. That includes current Olympic gold medalist David Taylor and recent four-time NCAA champion Aaron Brooks, who could meet again at 86kg.
Additionally, several other top favorites have bonded through training at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. Thomas Gilman (Iowa), 57 kg. Kyle Dake (Cornell University), 74k; Kyle Snyder (Ohio State), 97k; and Jennifer Page (Oklahoma City), 62k.
Penn State sophomore and NCAA champion Levi Haynes (a Biglerville graduate) and three former YAIAA wrestlers, Chance Marsteller and Jon Stefanowitz from Kennard Dale High School, will also compete.
Marstella, a member of the U.S. World Team, is the second seed at 86 kg. Stefanovic, who represented the United States at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, is the fourth seed in the Greco-Roman 87kg weight class.
More than 200 wrestlers will compete in men's and women's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman.
Here are past, present and future Nittany Lions competing in the Olympic Trials, their eligibility and seeding in each class.
Penn State Wrestling at U.S. Olympic Trials: 57 kg, freestyle
▶ Nico Megaldis, 5th seed: Former Penn State wrestler (national champion, 3-time All-American) will qualify for Senior Nationals runner-up in December 2023
▶ Luke Lilledal, 11th place: Penn State Wrestling Newcomer (2024-25 Freshman), 5th place at Senior Nationals, eligible to compete in December 2023
Penn State Wrestling: 65kg
▶ Zane Retherford, semi-final bye: Former Penn State wrestler (3-time NCAA Champion, 2-time Hodge Trophy winner), eligible for 2023 70kg World Champion
▶ Nick Lee, No. 1 seed: Former Penn State wrestler (two-time NCAA champion), qualified for 2023 World Team membership
▶ Beau Bartlett, 5th place: Current wrestler at Penn State (NCAA runner-up), eligible for Senior Nationals runner-up in December 2023
Penn State Wrestling: 74kg
▶ Jason Nolf, 2nd seed: Former Penn State wrestler (3-time NCAA champion), eligible for 2023 Bill Farrell Champion
▶ Mitch Mesenbrink, 5th place: Current wrestler at Penn State (NCAA runner-up), eligible for 2023 U20 World Champion
▶ Vincenzo Joseph, 7th place: Former Penn State wrestler (2-time NCAA Champion) and 2024 Olympic Final Selection Qualifier Champion
▶ Alex Facundo, 9th place: Current Penn State wrestler (Olympic redshirt season), qualified for 3rd place at 2023 Senior Nationals
▶ Levi Haynes, 10th place: Current Penn State wrestler (NCAA Champion), qualifies for NCAA Champion at 157 lbs.
Penn State Wrestling: 86kg
▶ David Taylor wins final by default: Former Penn State wrestler (two-time NCAA champion) qualifies as 2023 Olympic Weight Senior World Champion
▶ Aaron Brooks, No. 1 seed: Former Penn State wrestler (4-time NCAA champion), eligible for 2023 U23 World Champion
▶ Mark Hall, 5th place: Former Penn State wrestler (NCAA champion) qualified as Senior Nationals runner-up in December 2023
▶ Carter Starocci, 6th place: Current Penn State wrestler (4-time NCAA champion), qualifies for NCAA championship at 174 lbs.
▶ Max Dean, 7th place: Former Penn State University wrestler (NCAA champion), member of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, qualified for 3rd place at Senior Nationals in December 2023
▶ Connor Mirasola, 9th place: Penn State Wrestling Newcomer (2024-25 Freshman) Qualifies for 4th Place at Senior Nationals in December 2023
Penn State Wrestling: 125kg
▶ Greg Kerkvliet, 3rd seed: Former Penn State wrestler (NCAA champion), eligible for NCAA championship at heavyweight
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. To contact him, fbodan@ydr.com Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
