It's Penn State wrestling against the world at the U23 World Championships

The USA U23 World Team for men's freestyle is packed with Penn State wrestlers with seven current or future Nittany Lions making the team. Luke Lilledahl, Marcus Blaze, PJ Duke, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Levi Haines, Rocco Welsh, and Josh Barr will all represent Happy Valley on the international stage. Multiple Penn State wrestlers will compete with various world teams.

Haines is the only rising senior, meaning Penn State has a talent-packed wrestling roster for years to come. The 2024 NCAA champion Nittany Lion entering his last collegiate season swept the 79 kg at Final X. His victory landed him a ticket to his first world level competition since 2021 at the Cadet World Championships. Haines defeated Evan Wick 10-0 and 6-1 in the best-of-three men's freestyle at Final X.

Duke stunned at Final X, bringing down 2022 world silver medalist and four-time NCAA champion Yianni Diakomihalis. After falling 10-0 in the first round, the 18-year-old and future Nittany Lion bounced back in rounds two and three. By decision, Duke won the second round 17-10 then followed it up with a fall victory. He will compete on three U.S. teams at Worlds, including the U23 team. Duke will also compete with the U20 team in Bulgaria and the Senior team in Croatia. Haines is heading to Croatia with the future Nittany Lion as well.

Lilledahl, Barr, and Mesenbrink lost their best-of-three matches at Final X, but made the U.S. National Team. Blaze, an incoming Penn State freshman, will join Duke at the U23 and U20 world teams after winning his true-third match at Final X.

Welsh earned his U23 spot after winning his trial in spring. He had a combined 30-0 by technical fall to bring him to the quarterfinals. From there, he beat Simon Ruiz, Rylan Rogers, and Jaxon Smith to earn his spot. He previously wrestled for Ohio State, but transferred to Penn State and became a new Nittany Lion for 2025-26.

Barr wrestled his way to his spot at the Senior Team trials as well. After qualifying for Final X, Lilledahl secured his spot in the 57 kg men's freestyle. Mesenbrink placed second at Final X at 74 kg and will compete in that same weight class at the U23.

Jax Forest and Daniel Herrera are the final two members of Team USA. The U23 World Championships will take place in Novi Sad, Serbia from Oct. 20-26. Men's freestyle will begin on Oct. 24.