Levi Haines Appreciation Thread

[Psalm 1 guy]

His time at Penn State has just flown by for me as a fan. It will be sad to see his college career end, but I am really looking forward to watching his international career unfold, hopefully at NLWC. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him compete every season. He epitomizes to me what it means to represent Penn State well. Levi has always been hard-working, tough, consistent, polite, and continually improving. As a coach, you must just love being able to have someone like him in your program. Here are just a few of his accolades throughout his career:

-- The Penn State teams he has competed on never lost a dual meet
-- Career record of 93-4
-- Three-time B1G champion
-- Never lost a B1G dual
-- He had a 52-1 dual meet record, only losing to Keegan O'Toole in SV
-- He had a 25-2 record as a true freshman, finishing 2nd at the NCAA tournament
-- He had a 23-0 record his sophomore season en route to his first NCAA title
-- He had a 25-2 record his junior season en route to a third place finish at the NCAA tournament
-- In 2025 he won gold medals at the Pan Am Championships and U23 World Championships and won a silver at the Senior World Championships. He is currently ranked #2 in the world at 79kg.
-- This season he is 18-0 heading into the B1G tournament and is ranked #1 in the nation

I am looking forward to Levi's next eight wins, bringing his career record to 101-4, which would place him #10 on the Penn State career winning percentage list at 96.2%.

 

[RBOld]

Amazing career (college). Looking forward to his next eight wins as well and then seeing him win Olympic/World gold.

 

[Anon231980]

His time at Penn State has just flown by for me as a fan. It will be sad to see his college career end, but I am really looking forward to watching his international career unfold, hopefully at NLWC. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him compete every season. He epitomizes to me what it means to represent Penn State well. Levi has always been hard-working, tough, consistent, polite, and continually improving. As a coach, you must just love being able to have someone like him in your program. Here are just a few of his accolades throughout his career:

-- The Penn State teams he has competed on never lost a dual meet
-- Career record of 93-4
-- Three-time B1G champion
-- Never lost a B1G dual
-- He had a 52-1 dual meet record, only losing to Keegan O'Toole in SV
-- He had a 25-2 record as a true freshman, finishing 2nd at the NCAA tournament
-- He had a 23-0 record his sophomore season en route to his first NCAA title
-- He had a 25-2 record his junior season en route to a third place finish at the NCAA%

His time at Penn State has just flown by for me as a fan. It will be sad to see his college career end, but I am really looking forward to watching his international career unfold, hopefully at NLWC. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him compete every season. He epitomizes to me what it means to represent Penn State well. Levi has always been hard-working, tough, consistent, polite, and continually improving. As a coach, you must just love being able to have someone like him in your program. Here are just a few of his accolades throughout his career:

-- The Penn State teams he has competed on never lost a dual meet
-- Career record of 93-4
-- Three-time B1G champion
-- Never lost a B1G dual
-- He had a 52-1 dual meet record, only losing to Keegan O'Toole in SV
-- He had a 25-2 record as a true freshman, finishing 2nd at the NCAA tournament
-- He had a 23-0 record his sophomore season en route to his first NCAA title
-- He had a 25-2 record his junior season en route to a third place finish at the NCAA tournament
-- In 2025 he won gold medals at the Pan Am Championships and U23 World Championships and won a silver at the Senior World Championships. He is currently ranked #2 in the world at 79kg.
-- This season he is 18-0 heading into the B1G tournament and is ranked #1 in the nation

I am looking forward to Levi's next eight wins, bringing his career record to 101-4, which would place him #10 on the Penn State career winning percentage list at 96.0%.

What kind of program is it "if" you win 101 of 105 matches, a winning percentage of 96% and you are barely able to crack the top ten!?!?!? Incredible stat!

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

What kind of program is it "if" you win 101 of 105 matches, a winning percentage of 96% and you are barely able to crack the top ten!?!?!? Incredible stat!

If Mitchell goes undefeated next year also, while using this season's number of matches as an average for next season, he will end up around 107-1, upping his #1 ranked Penn State career winning percentage to 99.065%! As a side note, if Jason didn't have that injury default to Van Brill, he would be # 2 on this list at 98.3%.

#	Name	Seasons	Record	Career Win %
1​	Mitchell Mesenbrink​	2024-2026​	73-1-0​	98.6%​
2​	Ed Ruth​	2011-2014​	136-3-0​	97.8%​
3​	David Taylor​	2011-2014​	134-3-0​	97.8%​
4​	Zain Retherford​	2014-2018​	126-3-0​	97.7%​
5​	Bo Nickal​	2016-2019​	120-3-0​	97.6%​
6​	Jason Nolf​	2016-2019​	117-3-0​	97.5%​
7​	Aaron Brooks​	2020-2024​	89-3-0​	96.7%​
8​	Andy Matter​	1970-1972​	58-2-0​	96.7%​
9​	Carter Starocci​	2021-2025​	104-4-0​	96.3%​
10​	Levi Haines​	2023-2026​	93-4-0​	95.9%​
11​	Mark Hall​	2017-2020​	116-6-0​	95.1%​
12​	Josh Barr​	2024-2026​	51-3-0​	94.4%​
13​	Anthony Cassar​	2018-2020​	49-3-0​	94.2%​
14​	Luke Lilledahl​	2025-2026​	42-3-0​	93.3%​
15​	Dick Lemyre​	1952-1954​	40-3-0​	93.0%​
16​	Jack Light​	1935-1937​	25-1-1​	92.6%​
17​	Jim Martin​	1986-1989​	155-9-4​	92.3%​
18​	John Johnston​	1956-1958​	43-4-0​	91.5%​
19​	Roman Bravo-Young​	2019-2023​	101-10-0​	91.0%​
20​	Cary Kolat​	1993-1994​	60-6-0​	90.9%​
20​	Andrew Long​	2011-2011​	20-2-0​	90.9%​
22​	Vincenzo Joseph​	2017-2020​	89-9-0​	90.8%​
23​	JaMarr Billman​	1998-1999​	56-6-0​	90.3%​
24​	Nick Lee​	2018-2021​	119-13-0​	90.2%​
25​	F.W. Kaiser​	1925-1927​	18-2-0​	90.0%​

 

[Misalorales]

Damn good career! 2022 recruiting was essentially just Levi, #9 overall, and career wise I'd say he's #2 for his class. Jesse Mendez and Levi haines were the gems of 2022, even if Flo had Feldman,swiderski,bouzakis,fishback,spratly, henson, and soldano ahead of him ( as well as mendez).

 

[WV lion]

Damn good career! 2022 recruiting was essentially just Levi, #9 overall, and career wise I'd say he's #2 for his class. Jesse Mendez and Levi haines were the gems of 2022, even if Flo had Feldman,swiderski,bouzakis,fishback,spratly, henson, and soldano ahead of him ( as well as mendez).

If you go by career record and freestyle results, Haines is #1.

 

[Misalorales]

If you go by career record and freestyle results, Haines is #1.

I'm just looking at college and deciding who ended up the better p4p guy. I think they're incredibly close and a hell of a duo and certainly won't argue over haines being 1 or mendez 2. Both studs

 

[98lberEating2Lunches]

If Mitchell goes undefeated next year also, while using this season's number of matches as an average for next season, he will end up around 107-1, upping his #1 ranked Penn State career winning percentage to 99.065%! As a side note, if Jason didn't have that injury default to Van Brill, he would be # 2 on this list at 98.3%.

#	Name	Seasons	Record	Career Win %
1​	Mitchell Mesenbrink​	2024-2026​	73-1-0​	98.6%​
2​	Ed Ruth​	2011-2014​	136-3-0​	97.8%​
3​	David Taylor​	2011-2014​	134-3-0​	97.8%​
4​	Zain Retherford​	2014-2018​	126-3-0​	97.7%​
5​	Bo Nickal​	2016-2019​	120-3-0​	97.6%​
6​	Jason Nolf​	2016-2019​	117-3-0​	97.5%​
7​	Aaron Brooks​	2020-2024​	89-3-0​	96.7%​
8​	Andy Matter​	1970-1972​	58-2-0​	96.7%​
9​	Carter Starocci​	2021-2025​	104-4-0​	96.3%​
10​	Levi Haines​	2023-2026​	93-4-0​	95.9%​
11​	Mark Hall​	2017-2020​	116-6-0​	95.1%​
12​	Josh Barr​	2024-2026​	51-3-0​	94.4%​
13​	Anthony Cassar​	2018-2020​	49-3-0​	94.2%​
14​	Luke Lilledahl​	2025-2026​	42-3-0​	93.3%​
15​	Dick Lemyre​	1952-1954​	40-3-0​	93.0%​
16​	Jack Light​	1935-1937​	25-1-1​	92.6%​
17​	Jim Martin​	1986-1989​	155-9-4​	92.3%​
18​	John Johnston​	1956-1958​	43-4-0​	91.5%​
19​	Roman Bravo-Young​	2019-2023​	101-10-0​	91.0%​
20​	Cary Kolat​	1993-1994​	60-6-0​	90.9%​
20​	Andrew Long​	2011-2011​	20-2-0​	90.9%​
22​	Vincenzo Joseph​	2017-2020​	89-9-0​	90.8%​
23​	JaMarr Billman​	1998-1999​	56-6-0​	90.3%​
24​	Nick Lee​	2018-2021​	119-13-0​	90.2%​
25​	F.W. Kaiser​	1925-1927​	18-2-0​	90.0%​

What is the criteria for being on the list? At least one complete prior season... but it includes this partial season?

I ask because I noticed of the date range difference between Lilledahl and Barr, and the totals.

Then I thought soon enough, PJ and Marcus will have more matches than Kaisser and Andrew Long, so I suspect many at the bottom could've been considered knocked down two notches already.

 

[tullfan68]

Levi is just a grinder that's what I see when I look at him,wear and tear them down!He will be missed!!

 

[Aardvark86]

Arendtsville rocks

 

[Headlock]

If you were pairing dog breeds with wrestlers, Levi is getting a Pit Bull!

 

[HikeNatParks]

Imagine being Vinny Zerban.
The only kid to beat Levi who wasn’t either a two-or-one-time national champ.

 

[coastfan]

If Mitchell goes undefeated next year also, while using this season's number of matches as an average for next season, he will end up around 107-1, upping his #1 ranked Penn State career winning percentage to 99.065%! As a side note, if Jason didn't have that injury default to Van Brill, he would be # 2 on this list at 98.3%.

​

#	Name	Seasons	Record	Career Win %
1​	Mitchell Mesenbrink​	2024-2026​	73-1-0​	98.6%​
2​	Ed Ruth​	2011-2014​	136-3-0​	97.8%​
3​	David Taylor​	2011-2014​	134-3-0​	97.8%​
4​	Zain Retherford​	2014-2018​	126-3-0​	97.7%​
5​	Bo Nickal​	2016-2019​	120-3-0​	97.6%​
6​	Jason Nolf​	2016-2019​	117-3-0​	97.5%​
7​	Aaron Brooks​	2020-2024​	89-3-0​	96.7%​
8​	Andy Matter​	1970-1972​	58-2-0​	96.7%​
9​	Carter Starocci​	2021-2025​	104-4-0​	96.3%​
10​	Levi Haines​	2023-2026​	93-4-0​	95.9%​
11​	Mark Hall​	2017-2020​	116-6-0​	95.1%​
12​	Josh Barr​	2024-2026​	51-3-0​	94.4%​
13​	Anthony Cassar​	2018-2020​	49-3-0​	94.2%​
14​	Luke Lilledahl​	2025-2026​	42-3-0​	93.3%​
15​	Dick Lemyre​	1952-1954​	40-3-0​	93.0%​
16​	Jack Light​	1935-1937​	25-1-1​	92.6%​
17​	Jim Martin​	1986-1989​	155-9-4​	92.3%​
18​	John Johnston​	1956-1958​	43-4-0​	91.5%​
19​	Roman Bravo-Young​	2019-2023​	101-10-0​	91.0%​
20​	Cary Kolat​	1993-1994​	60-6-0​	90.9%​
20​	Andrew Long​	2011-2011​	20-2-0​	90.9%​
22​	Vincenzo Joseph​	2017-2020​	89-9-0​	90.8%​
23​	JaMarr Billman​	1998-1999​	56-6-0​	90.3%​
24​	Nick Lee​	2018-2021​	119-13-0​	90.2%​
25​	F.W. Kaiser​	1925-1927​	18-2-0​	90.0%​

Thanks for the chart. Great info. Now, a loss is a loss statistically. Can't change that but as a side note, that two of Starocci's were medical forfeits makes his accomplishments even more impressive.

Data masters will want to take this list and then enhance it with bonus matches, tech falls and falls. How much that may swing the chart some way would be interesting.

 

[El_Jefe]

Levi is the best I've ever seen at immediately converting takedowns into turks. It's a skill that will serve him well on the freestyle circuit.

In a way, that makes him more dangerous than Zain. Zain always got the bow and arrow from base. Levi gets it before the opponent can get to base.

 

[Still in State Colllege]

His strength to me has always been his superpower. The move from 57 to 74 sapped him of that a little bit last year I felt. Now as a fully grown 74 he is as tough as they come.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

Thanks for the chart. Great info. Now, a loss is a loss statistically. Can't change that but as a side note, that two of Starocci's were medical forfeits makes his accomplishments even more impressive.

Data masters will want to take this list and then enhance it with bonus matches, tech falls and falls. How much that may swing the chart some way would be interesting.

Great point about Starocci. Reverse those two medical forfeits and he jumps up to 98.1%. which would be # 3 all-time just below Jason's modified number. Bottom line is if you want to make the top ten for Penn State then you can lose no more than four matches in your career, which is just astounding.

 

[Shepdogg]

I am a big Levi fan!

 

[a_mshaffer]

I am a big Levi fan!

how can one not be?

 

[BriantheLion]

Great point about Starocci. Reverse those two medical forfeits and he jumps up to 98.1%. which would be # 3 all-time just below Jason's modified number. Bottom line is if you want to make the top ten for Penn State then you can lose no more than four matches in your career, which is just astounding.

… and, chances are, the two losses would have been three or four, as many rounds as he would have had in the Big Ten Tournament!

Not sure where that would have put him on the list.

 

[BriantheLion]

… and, chances are, the two losses would have been three or four, as many rounds as he would have had in the Big Ten Tournament!

Not sure where that would have put him on the list.

Three or four WINS, that is!

 

[Cstroke]

Levi born in August of 2004
Jax born in Oct. of 2006
Bo Aug of 2006
Melvin Oct. of 2007
Ono Feb 2004..
MessinThrash June of 2003
Gabe January of 2005..
Puts in perspective how young Levi is...

 

[Matter7172]

Levi born in August of 2004
Jax born in Oct. of 2006
Bo Aug of 2006
Melvin Oct. of 2007
Ono Feb 2004..
MessinThrash June of 2003
Gabe January of 2005..
Puts in perspective how young Levi is...

That really is the most incredible aspect of his success along with no red shirt year. Just phenomenal.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

What is the criteria for being on the list? At least one complete prior season... but it includes this partial season?

I ask because I noticed of the date range difference between Lilledahl and Barr, and the totals.

Then I thought soon enough, PJ and Marcus will have more matches than Kaisser and Andrew Long, so I suspect many at the bottom could've been considered knocked down two notches already.

In a note under Josh's record, gopsusports.com notes the following for his 2023-2024 Redshirt season: *maintains red shirt / results count towards career record. I noticed, though, that David Taylor's Redshirt season isn't included in his career total. I wonder if Josh's Redshirt season record will be removed from his career total if he completes his full four years in addition to his Redshirt season? Inquiring minds want to know! P.S., I did email them to try to get some clarification.

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

I'm betting Levi will be the next alumni staff addition.

Also, unlike Taylor, never pinned.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

… and, chances are, the two losses would have been three or four, as many rounds as he would have had in the Big Ten Tournament!

Not sure where that would have put him on the list.

I just went and looked at his B1G bracket that season. He was seeded first, so a healthy Carter most assuredly goes 3-0 vs. his 0 and 2. If you add in the additional win at B1G it puts his career record at 107-2 vs. 106-2, but both records still result in a 98.1% career winning record.

 

[El_Jefe]

I'm betting Levi will be the next alumni staff addition.

Also, unlike Taylor, never pinned.

IDK if I would make that bet, in either direction. Levi might have 3 Olympic cycles ahead of him. OTOH, we might not have a coaching vacancy before then.

 

[funkisfun10]

His strength to me has always been his superpower. The move from 57 to 74 sapped him of that a little bit last year I felt. Now as a fully grown 74 he is as tough as they come.

I remember Levi's freshman year he would jack guys straight up in the air when he got in on a double. While fun to watch, and impressive, Levi has gotten more efficient on his finishes. One of my all time favorites in the PSU singlet.

 

[BriantheLion]

If Mitchell goes undefeated next year also, while using this season's number of matches as an average for next season, he will end up around 107-1, upping his #1 ranked Penn State career winning percentage to 99.065%! As a side note, if Jason didn't have that injury default to Van Brill, he would be # 2 on this list at 98.3%.

​

#	Name	Seasons	Record	Career Win %
1​	Mitchell Mesenbrink​	2024-2026​	73-1-0​	98.6%​
2​	Ed Ruth​	2011-2014​	136-3-0​	97.8%​
3​	David Taylor​	2011-2014​	134-3-0​	97.8%​
4​	Zain Retherford​	2014-2018​	126-3-0​	97.7%​
5​	Bo Nickal​	2016-2019​	120-3-0​	97.6%​
6​	Jason Nolf​	2016-2019​	117-3-0​	97.5%​
7​	Aaron Brooks​	2020-2024​	89-3-0​	96.7%​
8​	Andy Matter​	1970-1972​	58-2-0​	96.7%​
9​	Carter Starocci​	2021-2025​	104-4-0​	96.3%​
10​	Levi Haines​	2023-2026​	93-4-0​	95.9%​
11​	Mark Hall​	2017-2020​	116-6-0​	95.1%​
12​	Josh Barr​	2024-2026​	51-3-0​	94.4%​
13​	Anthony Cassar​	2018-2020​	49-3-0​	94.2%​
14​	Luke Lilledahl​	2025-2026​	42-3-0​	93.3%​
15​	Dick Lemyre​	1952-1954​	40-3-0​	93.0%​
16​	Jack Light​	1935-1937​	25-1-1​	92.6%​
17​	Jim Martin​	1986-1989​	155-9-4​	92.3%​
18​	John Johnston​	1956-1958​	43-4-0​	91.5%​
19​	Roman Bravo-Young​	2019-2023​	101-10-0​	91.0%​
20​	Cary Kolat​	1993-1994​	60-6-0​	90.9%​
20​	Andrew Long​	2011-2011​	20-2-0​	90.9%​
22​	Vincenzo Joseph​	2017-2020​	89-9-0​	90.8%​
23​	JaMarr Billman​	1998-1999​	56-6-0​	90.3%​
24​	Nick Lee​	2018-2021​	119-13-0​	90.2%​
25​	F.W. Kaiser​	1925-1927​	18-2-0​	90.0%​

Nice list! So Mitchell is sitting at one loss, Carter had two legit losses(both avenged) and two MFFs…

Six guys with completed careers in the Cael era with three losses… and a few more mid career guys with three..Mark with six losses.

Do you, or anyone, have a list of who those losses were to… and how many of them were avenged… perhaps career head to head records in the cases of multiple matchups?

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

I'm betting Levi will be the next alumni staff addition.

Also, unlike Taylor, never pinned.

Other than Taylor, Levi, and Mesenbrink I can't think of any other Penn State wrestlers who are undefeated in their individual B1G dual career. Taylor has the distinction of never losing any dual meet match in his career.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

Nice list! So Mitchell is sitting at one loss, Carter had two legit losses(both avenged) and two MFFs…

Six guys with completed careers in the Cael era with three losses… and a few more mid career guys with three..Mark with six losses.

Do you, or anyone, have a list of who those losses were to… and how many of them were avenged… perhaps career head to head records in the cases of multiple matchups?

Go to the below site, type in the wrestler's last name then click on their name when it pops up. It will list the result of every match in their Penn State career except for their Redshirt year. If the wrestler is still wrestling at Penn State they appear to list their Redshirt season record also, like Josh Barr. David Taylor's Redshirt year is not listed under his career record.

Find a Wrestler – Penn State Wrestling Club

pennstatewrestlingclub.org

 

[BriantheLion]

Other than Taylor, Levi, and Mesenbrink I can't think of any other Penn State wrestlers who are undefeated in their individual B1G dual career. Taylor has the distinction of never losing any dual meet match in his career.

DT lost to Dake in a dual as well as the final. But undefeated in Big Ten duals.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

DT lost to Dake in a dual as well as the final. But undefeated in Big Ten duals.

David never lost a dual in his career. He lost in the NCAA tournament twice and to Dake again in the Finals of the Southern Scuffle tournament.

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

IDK if I would make that bet, in either direction. Levi might have 3 Olympic cycles ahead of him. OTOH, we might not have a coaching vacancy before then.

Good point.

 

[BriantheLion]

David never lost a dual in his career. He lost in the NCAA tournament twice and to Dake again in the Finals of the Southern Scuffle tournament.

Ok… I saw January and thought it was a dual… I think I only saw the NCAA finals in those days

 

[LostInTransition]

IDK if I would make that bet, in either direction. Levi might have 3 Olympic cycles ahead of him. OTOH, we might not have a coaching vacancy before then.

I bet Levi would be great working with the kids at M2. Something he can do while training at NLWC.

 

[El_Jefe]

I bet Levi would be great working with the kids at M2. Something he can do while training at NLWC.

Remembering Levi going to M2 practice on the day after finishing 2nd to O'Connor after that incredible run and the spectacular win over Andonian.

Taylor was shocked to see him there so soon. The kids gave him a standing ovation.

Yeah, that's a perfect fit while he begins his resident athlete career.

 

[Cali_Nittany1]

I just went and looked at his B1G bracket that season. He was seeded first, so a healthy Carter most assuredly goes 3-0 vs. his 0 and 2. If you add in the additional win at B1G it puts his career record at 107-2 vs. 106-2, but both records still result in a 98.1% career winning record.

You can almost endlessly keep on going with the "what ifs" and look at Ed Ruth's injury default his freshman year in the NCAA semis. Maybe he wins that if not injured and goes on to be Penn State's first 4x champ.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

You can almost endlessly keep on going with the "what ifs" and look at Ed Ruth's injury default his freshman year in the NCAA semis. Maybe he wins that if not injured and goes on to be Penn State's first 4x champ.

No doubt.

 

[El_Jefe]

Lead Recruiter @WillieTheBrain at the time told this hilarious story about Levi's recruitment -- Willie, feel free to correct me if I botched this:

U17 Team Trials were held in Wisconsin Dells shortly after Levi won states in his JR year (2021). Levi had been training at M2 for a couple years, and was widely believed to be uncommitted in name only.

Anyway, about a week before trials, Willie asked Levi "Are you going to Wisconsin?" Levi responded: "Why would I go there?"

Levi forgot where Trials was being held, and thought Willie was asking him a recruiting question.

 

[Nitlion1986]

I have several Levi stories that I am keeping to myself. But one i will share is playing golf at Toftrees in the NLWC golf outing. I am definitely the old guy in my group, but I can occasionally still rip a drive. Teeing off number 7, I nailed a drive just a couple steps up the face of the little climb to the green and then let Levi hit one. He hit the ground behind the ball and popped it up. Damn ball landed just a couple steps behind me. I just shook my head, the kid's natural power is astonishing.
It has been fun watching him wrestle and I have truly enjoyed rooting for him as he has competed as a PSU Lion.

Levi is one of those student-athletes that make fellow PSUers very proud!