The Nittany Lions of Penn State might face a tough reality check this season. On paper, Penn State is a wrestling powerhouse with head coach Cael Sanderson at the helm, producing four NCAA titles and eight All-Americans in the previous season alone, shattering team point records, and claiming an astonishing 11 team titles out of the contested 14 NCAA championships. As impressive as it sounds, their past achievements may just not be enough to carry them through 2024.

The Lions have won four straight titles from 2011-2014, something that they haven’t been able to do since. They did come close to the record once in 2020, when they were the reigning champions from 2017-2019, but had to let go of the possibility because of the NCAA tournament cancellations due to COVID-19. It seems the journey has now nearly come full circle once again, as they are just one team medal short before they re-register as four-time consecutive champions. For all the optimism and swagger that usually surrounds this team, there’s an unsettling undercurrent heading into the new season… We say this since pre-season stats show that Penn State’s wrestlers are trailing behind their rivals in key weight classes. Could this be the year another wrestling powerhouse rises to the top of the NCAA rankings?

Nittany Lions face a tough climb on the leaderboard

Despite fielding a formidable lineup for the 2024-25 season—featuring eight returning All-Americans, five national finalists, and three NCAA champions with standout names like Braeden Davis, Tyler Kasak, Zack Ryder, and four-time NCAA champ Carter Starocci—the pre-season rankings tell a different story. Of the 10 weight classes, only three Penn State wrestlers hold the No. 1 spot: Mitchell Mesenbrink (165 lbs), Starocci (184 lbs), and Greg Kerkvliet (285 lbs). For a team that’s been synonymous with dominance, this isn’t the ideal start.

Other Penn State contenders—like Beau Bartlett (141 lbs), Tyler Kasak (157 lbs), and Levi Haines (174 lbs)—are in the top 3 but not at the top. While this paints a somber picture of a program used to sitting on the throne, it’s worth digging deeper into. After all, having three top seeds still positions Penn State as a dangerous force, and the absence of four-time NCAA champion Aaron Brooks this year also leaves a gap that’s hard to fill.

Still, there’s hope. Braeden Davis, fresh off winning the Big 10 title as a sophomore, is hungry to redeem himself after a disappointing season. Levi Haines, already a national titleholder, is eyeing another memorable run. And of course, there’s Carter Starocci—the team’s ace in the hole. While AJ Ferrari looms large as a potential threat, Starocci’s dominance remains undeniable, and he’s one of the few Penn State wrestlers expected to lead the charge.

At just 23, Starocci has clinched four NCAA titles and has been the undisputed king of the 174 lbs division. With a couple of Big 10 championships under his belt, Starocci is aiming to do the unthinkable. No wrestler has ever won five NCAA Division 1 championships till now. And Starocci is standing on the brink of history at the moment. Courtesy of an extra season for the COVID outbreak, things have presented themselves in a rather bright manner to Starocci. But all‘s not quiet on the Western front. 

Can other colleges dethrone Penn State in 2025?

Standing between him and history is AJ Ferrari, who has announced his return to the NCAA for the Cal State Bakersfield. But despite his threat to play spoilsport, Starocci seems unfazed. In a recent Instagram post, the 4x NCAA champion lashed out at Ferrari, saying, “Another has been NCAA champ that needs added to my collection All Star classic. It’s at Penn State this year because they want the king showing out again. Just notify the city district so the youth can stay a safe distance away. I’ll go up in weight just to bend you over in front of the world.” Now that’s some confident talk from the champion. However, Penn State’s path to victory is not without its challenges—and Ferrari seems to be just a tip of the iceberg that remains to be toppled. It looks like Penn State’s rivals have been focusing their resources on making upgrades to ensure that they fall behind come 2025.

Under the leadership of David Taylor, a renowned wrestler and Olympic gold medalist, Oklahoma State University (OSU) has experienced a meteoric rise in recent years. Taylor’s strategic approach, combined with his ability to attract top talent, has transformed OSU into a powerhouse. His six-year contract, worth $6.45 million, makes him the highest-paid college wrestling coach in the country, reflecting the university’s commitment to excellence in the sport.

Taylor’s presence at OSU has elevated the program’s reputation and created a positive and supportive environment for wrestlers. His ability to recruit top talent and develop athletes has contributed to OSU’s success. In his words, “Our competitors’ coaches are 45, 50 years old, and you can wrestle a really high level… but it’s a different intensity level. We can still match that at the highest level, so I think that’s huge. For these kids that are part of this program over the next six to 10 years, you’re going to get the best versions of that from us.”

Moving forward, the University of Iowa’s wrestling program has been further enhanced by the construction of the $31 million Goschke Family Wrestling Training Center. This state-of-the-art facility, spanning 39,000 square feet, offers wrestlers an optimal training environment. Located adjacent to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, one of the most renowned wrestling venues in the country, the center provides a unique and inspiring atmosphere for athletes. With its spacious training area, convenient layout, and proximity to the arena, the Goschke Family Wrestling Training Center is a valuable asset to the Iowa wrestling program, funded by private donations through the Carver Circle campaign.

Now, if we speak of individual competitions beyond Ferrari, Penn State also faces competition from other top-ranked wrestlers in the NCAA. Mekhi Lewis of Virginia Tech, a perennial rival of Starocci, is a formidable opponent who could challenge Penn State’s dominance. Shane Griffith of Stanford, a former NCAA champion, is another potential threat. Additionally, Cade DeVos of Michigan, Edmond Ruth of Nebraska, and Rocco Welsh of Ohio State are all highly ranked wrestlers who could challenge Starocci for the national title.

To repeat as NCAA champions, Penn State will need to not only overcome the challenges posed by individual wrestlers but also navigate the overall depth and talent within the sport. With Penn State’s possibilities looking a tad bit slim this year, it remains to be seen whether they can make that up with combined team dominance.