Penn State Wrestling HC Cael Sanderson Shows No Signs of Slowing Down as Another Top Recruit Commits

There’s a reason why the Nittany Lions Wrestling Club is among the most coveted places in the country. Recently, the NLWC made history as 12 of their wrestlers qualified for the Olympic Team Trials. With the likes of David Taylor being a proud alumnus of the Penn State wrestling division, there are always high expectations from the club. Now, as another promising name commits to the Penn State wrestling program, it looks like head coach Cael Sanderson is on the right path.

Ahead of the 2024/25 season, some of the top recruits in the country, including the 2021 UWW Cadet Nationals gold winner Luke Lilledahl, have already committed to Penn State. Earlier this week, Nathan Desmond also announced his commitment to the NLWC. Now, news has come forth that the #12 recruit of the Class of 2025, William Henckel, has committed to Penn State.

Penn State head coach clinches another commitment

Henckel’s commitment to the NLWC is the second one received by Penn State in two days. In his latest Instagram post, the Blair Academy student has announced the news. “I am beyond excited to announce my commitment to Penn State University“, wrote the junior wrestler in the post. Henckel said that being surrounded by supportive people helped him reach this position where he could make his dream of wrestling for a highly decorated program a reality.

“I couldn’t have wanted it any other way“, stated an elated Henckel. An Ironman finalist, Henckel has also won the prestigious Beast of the East tournament this year and is justifiably considered a promising talent in the US. Unsurprisingly enough, Penn State swooped in to make sure the Fargo champ didn’t end up anywhere else other than the NLWC.

Henckel will be joined by PJ Duke (#1), Asher Cunningham (#42), and Dalton Perry (#27) in the Class of 2025. With so many thrilling recruits, it seems that Cael Sanderson is determined to retain Penn State’s iconic status in the collegiate wrestling scene.

NLWC will enter next season with guns blazing

While the Class of 2025 is brewing some interesting things already, the 2024 batch isn’t too shabby either. Sanderson has already received commitments from some of the 15 top wrestlers in the country for 2024. Lilledahl (#1), Joseph Sealey (#3), Connor Mirasola (#5), Zach Ryder (#6), Cole Mirasola (#13), and Mason Gibson (#15) are set to take up the Penn State stripes next year.

Read more: Is AJ Ferrari, the 2021 NCAA Wrestling Champion, Set to Team Up With His Brother at the Iowa Hawkeyes?

Lilledahl and Sealey have exerted their dominance on the mat on several occasions already and are expected to make Penn State’s attacking depth even more formidable. From the looks of it, David Taylor’s alma mater looks to be in safe hands and sitting pretty in its high chair.

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