2 Penn State wrestling thoughts two weeks from the opener: On the Lions’ race to another record and more

Penn State wrestling starts its 2025-2026 season 14 days from today when it welcomes Oklahoma to Rec Hall. The Sooners are No. 19 in the first NWCA poll of the year. The Nittany Lions, of course, are No. 1. We kicked off our preview coverage with a look at the decision facing head coach Cael Sanderson and his staff at 157 pounds. You can read that story here. Today’s daily double covers two pressing questions two weeks from the opener.

1. Will any Lions show up at the Clarion Open?

We’re keeping an eye out for Clarion Open entries to post later today. Penn State has not sent any wrestlers for a few seasons. Could that change this weekend? It should go without saying that many program newcomer and Japanese superstar Masa Ono for his first competition in blue and white. It feels like a possibility but is far from a guarantee. That goes for the general idea of the Lions sending anyone to the Sunday tournament in the first place.

Ohio State will be on hand with a full contingent of wrestlers. The Buckeyes use this tournament to help set their lineup for the year, like Penn State does, in part, at the Army Black Knight Invite. Other programs do the same. It’s a great event we’ll be keeping track of either way.

Last but not least, we’re watching to see if Penn State Class of 2026 commit and reigning New Jersey 150-pound state champ Jayden James enters. If he does, it will be the first indication of what weight class he might compete in this year.

2. Keeping track of the Penn State winning streak

Penn State can set new records for consecutive dual meet wins during the non-conference portion of its schedule. The Lions ended 2024-2025 with 71 straight victories. They can take another step toward toppling Oklahoma State’s current mark when they open the season against the Sooners in two weeks. While announcing its first poll of the season, the NWCA also provided an update on the winning streak’s standing on the national leaderboard. You can read that below:

“Penn State returns nine All-Americans and its 71-match win streak is the longest in the NCAA’s Division I era (since 1973) and is the sixth longest in college wrestling history regardless of division,” Jason Bryant writes for the NWCA. “Oklahoma State holds the major college record of 76, set from 1937-1951.

“The NCAA record is 77 in a row, set by Division II St. Cloud State from 2017-2022. NAIA Grand View has the all-time collegiate streak at 117 in a row, set from 2013-2022.”