Three Penn State wrestling connections are picked to win at the World Team Trials this weekend

Penn State wrestling is already set to be represented by Luke Lilledahl and Mitchell Mesenbrink at Final X. The June event will feature 20 men’s and women’s freestyle matches to determine the 2025 U.S. Senior team, which will compete at the World Championship later this year. Before that, the U.S. World Team Trials will be held this Friday and Saturday in Louisville. That’s where PSU and Nittany Lion Wrestling Club connections can punch their ticket to join Lilledahl and Mesenbrink, and Kyle Snyder in New Jersey. And, one national writer thinks that more than a few will.

Writing for FLO Wrestling, Jon Kozak predicts three Penn State connections will take first this weekend. He projects that senior Levi Haines will win the 79 kilogram (174.1 pounds) bracket while redshirt sophomore Josh Barr claims the 92 kilogram (202.8 pounds) division. He picked the Nittany Lion to do so before Jacob Cardenas dropped from the bracket. Now, Barr might be an even bigger favorite. And, beyond current members of Cael Sanderson’s team, Kozak also has NLWC member and two-time Olympic bronze medalist Kyle Dake taking the 86 kilogram (189.5 pounds) title.

Learn more about the Penn State wrestling connections competing at the U.S. World Team Trials by watching the latest BWI wrestling show below!

“The 79 kg bracket at the WTT is essentially a smaller version of the 79 kg bracket from the US Open,” Kozak writes. “In Vegas, DJ Hamiti finished as the runner-up with a tech fall over Kennedy Monday while losing to Evan Wick in the finals 9-1. Simon Ruiz finished in third place at the US Open, also only losing to Evan Wick (9-5) but defeating Carson Kharchla (twice, 3-2 and 7-7) and Muhamed McBryde (6-4). From these results, Hamiti should be considered a slight favorite, but Ruiz and Kharchla are interesting challengers capable of making a run to the finals.

“Levi Haines is the only wrestler in this bracket who didn’t wrestle at the US Open. While Haines lost to Hamiti at the NCAA Tournament, Haines is capable of winning this bracket in Louisville. Haines hasn’t competed much in freestyle, but he notably finished 4th at the 2024 World Team Trials at 79 kg. There, Haines lost to Jordan Burroughs and David Carr but defeated US Open winner Evan Wick (by pin) and Keegan O’Toole (6-0). Haines’ wrestling translates well to freestyle, and he has incredible potential to win in Louisville and at Final X.”

The action begins 10 a.m. ET on Friday with preliminary round action. The first session closes by 2:30 p.m. ET following the quarterfinal round. The semifinals and consolation bracket action run 4-7:30 p.m. ET on Friday. And, the finals are at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday. FLO is streaming the event. Here’s the list of Penn State connections:

Penn State signee Marcus Blaze and program alum Beau Bartlett – 65 kilograms (143.3 pounds)

Nittany Lion signee PJ Duke – 70 kilograms (154.3 pounds)

Penn State senior Levi Haines – 79 kilograms (174.1 pounds)

Nittany Lion alum Carter Starocci and NLWC member Kyle Dake- 86 kilograms (189.5 pounds)

Penn State redshirt sophomore Josh Barr – 92 kilograms (202.8 pounds)