Live updates: Penn State wrestling holds final news conference before NCAA Championships
Penn State wrestling is holding its final news conference in State College before leaving for this week’s NCAA Championships. The 2025 event is being held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Before it, head coach Cael Sanderson and some of his wrestlers are chatting with reporters at Rec Hall. Find updates from the media session below. Note: This page does not update automatically. So, please refresh your browser often for the latest information.
Sanderson on Carter Starocci ahead of his quest for a fifth NCAA title.
03/17/2025 11:38:23 AM
“Naturally, he’s going to be at his best in the biggest moments,” Sanderson said. “He always has been. He’s blessed to have another opportunity that we hope never is again available. It’s just seizing the moment. He has a pretty good mindset about it. It’s a healthy challenge. He’s solid and you just try to keep things simple, and let everything else work out. Carter’s a supreme competitor. He loves to compete.
Is Penn State peaking at the right time?
03/17/2025 11:36:03 AM
“It comes down to each individual kid,” Sanderson said. “I think they’re prepared and we’re excited for this and I think we’re excited. We don’t get too high or too low. There’s something special about the national tournament. I don’t think there’s a more fun wrestling tournament in the world. I think right now, things look really good.”
The latest quote from Sanderson
03/17/2025 11:35:07 AM
“The last however many years have been a lot of fun. We’ve had a lot of great moments and relationships. Just have fun with it. Things are going to work out with it if you have fun and surround yourself with the right people. All is well. Some simple message like that.”
–Cael on what he’d tell the version of himself when they won NCAAs in Philly before.
On Luke Lilledahl
03/17/2025 11:33:33 AM
“I think he’s getting more confident every time he wrestles,” Sanderson said about Luke Lilledahl. “It’s just his approach to the sport. He looks at every match as an opportunity to get better. That’s what he does. As a true freshman, he’s just going to keep getting better.”
On Luke Lilledahl
03/17/2025 11:33:33 AM
“I think he’s getting more confident every time he wrestles,” Sanderson said about Luke Lilledahl. “It’s just his approach to the sport. He looks at every match as an opportunity to get better. That’s what he does. As a true freshman, he’s just going to keep getting better.”
On the team’s mindset
03/17/2025 11:32:18 AM
“We’re united in our mindset and focus. It’s always on to the next challenge. It’s not every week you have a chance to go win an NCAA Championship. I’m guessing our guys are ready for the opportunity.”
–Sanderson on the mindset of the team leading into nationals.
How healthy is the team? And Barr?
03/17/2025 11:30:38 AM
Josh has been working really hard. We got Dan Monthley as our trainer. I can’t believe there’s a better trainer in the world. Josh is going to be ready to scrap.
Cael Sanderson will kick things off
03/17/2025 07:56:45 AM
The longtime and legendary leader of the Nittany Lions wrestling program starts his news conference at 12:30 p.m. ET. His chat with reporters will feature feedback on how he thinks his program fared in the seeding process, the latest on injured 197-pound Penn State starter Josh Barr, and much more.
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