Penn State wrestlers, alums, and commits set to compete at the US Open this weekend

It’s U.S. Open week in the wrestling world. The first stop on the path to setting the Team USA lineup is in Las Vegas, Nev., this year. Twenty past, present, or future Penn State wrestlers will be competing across the various age group brackets in men’s freestyle Friday-Sunday.

Here’s a look at who’s competing in addition to a brand new episode of the Penn State wrestling show from Blue-White Illustrated, which you can find below.

Penn State ties at the senior level

Current Nittany Lions are entered in both the U20 (also referred to as the junior division) and the Senior divisions. Starting with a look at the entries for the latter tournament, which helps set the team that competes at the Olympic level, Luke Lilledahl is one of the favorites at 57 kilograms (125.6 pounds). The same can be said for defending NCAA champ Mitchell Mesenbrink at 74 kilograms (163.1). Newcomer Rocco Welsh is in the 86 kilogram (189.5 pounds) field. And, Class of 2025 signee Marcus Blaze is in the senior-level tournament at 61 kilograms (134.4 pounds).

Penn State alum Beau Bartlett is in the senior tournament at 63 kilograms (143.4 pounds) and could see familiar foe Jesse Mendez of Ohio State in that weight class’ final. Other Nittany Lion Wrestling Club members competing in that division include Kyle Dake, who is bumping up two weight classes to 86 kilograms (189.5 pounds), and Kyle Snyder (97 kg/213.8 pounds). And, former Penn State wrestlers Nico Megaludis and Terrell Barraclough will compete at 61 and 74 kilograms, respectively.

Nittany Lion ties in the U20 tournament

A large batch of young Penn State wrestlers will compete in the U20 tournament. The list includes Cole and Connor Mirasola at 92 and 125 kilograms, respectively, Brock Weiss at 70 kilograms, Joe Sealey at 74 kilograms, Nate Demsond at 61 kilograms, Dalton Perry at 65 kilograms, PJ Duke at 70 kilograms, and William Henckel at 79 kilograms.

One Class of 2026 commit is also in the U20 field. Johnstown Bishop McCort PIAA placer Sam Herring is in the 61 kilograms field.

James set for U17 action

Last but not least on the list of Penn State competitors at the U.S. Open is new Class of 2026 commit Jayden James. He is in the 71 kilogram bracket.

“Jayden, he obviously set the recruiting process early and, you know, I think he only took two visits when he originally committed to Virginia Tech,” Delbarton coach Bryan Stoll told BWI. “And he’s really young. I mean, he’s 16 years old. So, he was young to make a decision like that. And I think as time passed by, not that he was second guessing himself, but he just wanted to make sure that he looked at every place that he would be interested in. And, ultimately, made a decision to switch.”

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