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Former Penn State wrestler Kurt McHenry picks his transfer destination; where will he compete next?

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel06/10/25GregPickel
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Former Penn State wrestler Kurt McHenry. (Photo courtesy of Mark Selders/Penn State Athletics)

Former Penn State 125-pound wrestler Kurt McHenry is one of the handful of Nittany Lions who put his name into the NCAA transfer portal following the team’s 2024-2025 NCAA title. Now, he’s decided where he will compete next. The Leesburg, Va., native will use his final season of eligibility at Cal Baptist. The school announced his signing on Tuesday. It will be his third home at the college level. Prior to his two seasons in State College, he spent four years at Michigan. The extra year to compete for the Lancers is a result of the NCAA’s decision to grant athletes impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 an additional season of eligibility. He will use it out west.

McHenry was 7-4 for head coach Cael Sanderson’s team in 2025. He competed in his first and only dual meet as a Nittany Lion when he bumped up to 133 pounds in place of Braeden Davis against Iowa back in January. He lost by technical fall to Drake Ayala, 19-4.

“[Kurt McHenry, who bumped up from 125 to fill in for Davis], he’s a little undersized, obviously, but he’s got a huge heart, and he’s a great wrestler,” Sanderson said at the time. “And, you know, he wanted that shot. So, we gave it to him.

“Obviously, that was a tall order with [competing against No. 2 Iowa Hawkeye Drake] Ayala, he’s obviously really good.”

McHenry is expected to compete for the 125-pound spot with the Lancers.

Penn State transfer portal tracker

McHenry’s decision comes well after other Penn State teammates found a new home. But, he’s not the last one to pick a school. Here’s the updated tracker:

Alex Facundo, 165 pounds: Oklahoma State

Gary Steen, 125/133 pounds: Oklahoma State

Zack Ryder, 184 pounds: Oklahoma State

Kurt McHenry, 125 pounds: Cal Baptist

Aurelius Dunbar, 165 pounds: TBD

David Evans, 149 pounds: Utah Valley

AJ Fricchinoe, 197 pounds: TBD

Jack Kelly, 184 pounds: TBD

Penn State does have one incoming transfer, of course. Former Ohio State wrestler Rocco Welsh picked the Lions following the 2024-2025 season. Shortly thereafter, Ryder left for the Cowboys. It means that Welsh is expected to take over the 184-pound spot vacated by five-time NCAA champ Carter Starocci in the lineup this winter. Before that, he will compete for Team USA at the U23 World Championships this October. He won that spot two weekends ago at U23 Nationals in Geneva, Ohio.

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