How did Penn State wrestling connections do during Olympic Team Trials session one?
Session one of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Wrestling Trials featured good and bad outcomes for the numerous Penn State wrestling connections competing in the event that will decide the team that will compete at this year’s summer games in Paris, France. Numerous Penn State connections are alive in the championship bracket ahead of tonight’s semifinals round.
Kyle Dake (74 kilograms), David Taylor (86 kilograms) and Kyle Snyder (97 kilograms) continue to sit until Saturday’s best-of-three semifinals. As for those competing tonight at 6:30 pm ET on USA Network and Peacock, Thomas Gilman, a NLWC member, competed in one 57 kilogram semi opposite Daton Fix. A pair of Penn State connections are in opposite semifinals at 65 kilograms. Nick Lee has Andrew Alirez while Zain Retherford battles the winner of a match between Jesse Mendez and Yanni Diakomihalis. A pair of Nittany Lions are in opposite 74 kilogram finals, too. Mitchel Mesenbrink takes on reigning champion Jordan Burroughs while Jason Nolf has Jarret Jaques. Aaron Brooks has Alex Dieringer in a 86 kilogram semi. And, Greg Kerkvliet faces Nick Gwiazdowski in a 125-pound semi.
Full session one result for Penn State wrestling connections
Here’s the breakdown:
57 kilograms (125.6 pounds)
Nittany Lion Wrestling Club member Thomas Gilman is into the semifinals. Penn State alum Nico Megaludis saw his tournament end after an 0-2 start. Penn State Class of 2024 commit Luke Lilledahl won his first match but lost to Zane Richards in the quarterfinals. He’s still alive in the consolation bracket.
65 kilograms (143.3 pounds)
Penn State alum Nick Lee is in the semifinals, as is former Nittany Lion Zain Retherford. Current PSU wrestler Beau Bartlett lost in the quarterfinals then lost in his first consolation bracket match, ending his tournament.
74 kilograms (163.1 pounds)
Nittany Lion wrestling club member Kyle Dake sits until the finals. Current Penn State wrestler Mitchell Mesenbrink and PSU alum Jason Nolf are both in the semifinals as outlined above.
Current Nitany Lion Alex Facundo put up a great fight against reigning world medalist Jordan Burroughs in the quarters and is now in consolation bracket action. Lions alum Vincenzo Joseph and reigning NCAA champ and current PSU wrestler Levi Haines both lost in round one.
86 kilograms (189.5 pounds)
Former Nittany Lion and defending team member David Taylor doesn’t wrestle until the finals. Four-time NCAA champ and Penn State alum Aaron Brooks is on the semis. Reigning NCAA champ and current PSU wrestler Carter Starocci, Former Nittany Lions Max Dean and Mark Hall, and PSU commit Connor Mirasola all lost before reaching the semifinal round. But, Starocci, Hall, and Mirasola made the quarters, with Brooks beating Mirasola.
97 kilograms (213.8 pounds)
Nittany Lion Wrestling Club member and defending U.S. Team member Kyle Snyder sits until the finals.
125 kilograms (275.5 pounds)
Defending NCAA champ and current Penn State heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet is in the semis.
How to watch session two
It starts at 6:30 p.m. ET and runs until 10 p.m. ET. USA Network will carry the event live. Subscription service Peacock will stream all of the matches. The challenge semifinals and finals are tonight to set up tomorrow’s best-of-three finals in each weight class.
