Two Penn State wrestling standouts have been named Big Ten Wrestlers to Watch, the conference announced Wednesday.

Mitchell Mesenbrink and Shayne Van Ness joined 26 other athletes, including 14 All-Americans and two reigning national champions on the list.

Mesenbrink is coming off a 27-0 season in 2025-26 that ended with his second consecutive national championship at 165 pounds. He also won the Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top wrestler at the end of the season.

Van Ness was also an All-American at 149 pounds last season. He finished the season 8-0 against Big Ten competition, 25-1 overall, and a national runner-up finish.

Messenbrink, Van Ness, and the rest of the Penn State roster will begin the quest for their sixth straight national championship against Bloomsburg on November 12.

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Gabe Alpher

Gabe is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism, but also previously attended the University of Illinois. He is from Westchester County, NY and is a huge New York sports fan (Knicks, Yankees, and Giants). Please feel free to contact him on Instagram @gabe_alpher or at gxa5287@psu.edu.

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