After U.S. Olympic Team Trials, what's next for Penn State wrestling and the NLWC?
Another major wrestling world milestone is in the books. Penn State performed well at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, which were held this past Friday and Saturday at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. Former Nittany Lion Aaron Brooks (84 kilograms) and Nittany Lion Wrestling Club members Kyle Dake (74 kilograms) and Kyle Snyder (97 kilograms) are all headed to Paris. Another former Penn State wrestler, Zain Retherford, can join him there. How he could do so, however, is part of the list of things on the horizon for head coach Cael Sanderson’s program and also the NLWC. And, we have a full list below.
Follow Penn State connections at Junior Nationals
Junior Nationals are the next event on the freestyle calendar after the senior-level event was just held in State College. The winners of each weight class in Las Vegas will represent the U.S. at the U20 Pan American games and also earn a spot in the finals at the U.S. Junior Team Trials later this year. After performing well but failing to secure a spot on the Senior team as expected, Penn State Class of 2024 commit Luke Lilledahl will now try and take the first step toward earning a spot on the Junior team this weekend. He is in the 57-kilogram bracket ahead of the two-day event. Fellow future Nittany Lion Nate Desmond is also in that bracket.
Class of 2025 Penn State commit PJ Duke is in the 70-kilogram bracket, as well. Joe Sealey, another Class of 2024 commit, is in the 74-kilogram division and the favorite to win it, and a future classmate of his, Zach Ryder, is in a similar pre-tournament position at 79 kilograms in a bracket that also features future Penn State wrestler Will Henckel, as well.
Last but not least, brothers and Penn State commits Connor and Cole Mirasola will compete in the 92 and 97 kilogram divisions, respectively.
Prep for the World Olympic Games Qualifier
Retherford and 57-kilogram U.S. Team Trial champion Spencer Lee both have an extra step to take before officially making the Olympics. Each must finish in the top third of his respective weight class at the World Olympic Games Qualifier May 9-12 in Istanbul. Both are still U.S. national team members, of course, and get all the perks that come along with that. But, each still has work to do to make Paris.
Get final decisions from Greg Kerkvliet and Carter Starocci
We did not hear from Kerkvliet at the U.S. Team Trials, but Starocci was happy to speak with reporters. He said he was previously leaning towards not coming back for a fifth and final season at Penn State. Now, however, he is 60 percent to 40 percent in favor of returning to try and become the first person ever to win five NCAA championships. He has been direct in saying he does not love school, which is why this decision hasn’t been made yet. But, the Erie, Pa., native suggested he would make it soon.
With Kerkvliet unavailable to reporters, it’s more difficult to say where things stand with him. But, a return still seems likely.
