Penn State wrestling commits shine at U20 U.S. Open: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for April 29 include a recap of the U20 US Open wrestling championships, headlines of the day, and more.
It’s time to dive into Monday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with a recap of the U20 Freestyle Nationals. Penn State commits shined at it. Class of 2024 signee Luke Lilledahl was the star of the show. He beat Ohio State’s Vinny Kilkeary 10-0 in the 57-kilogram finals and was named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler.
“No wrestler impressed more this week in Las Vegas than Lilledahl, who ended his tournament with six technical fall wins in six contested matches, outscoring his opponents by a combined 67-3 tally,” Richard Immel writes for USA Wrestling. “He was named Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament for his efforts.”
Lilledahl was not the only future Nittany Lion to leave Las Vegas with a title. Class of 2025 commit PJ Duke won the 70-kilogram division, and Class of 2024 commit Zack Ryder the 79-kilogram weight class after both scored technical fall victories in the finals. And, fellow Class of 2024 commit Connor Mirasola won the 92-kilogram weight class. All get a big advantage toward making the U20 U.S. team by virtue of doing so.
“Champions at the U20 Nationals earn an automatic berth to the best-of-three championship series at the U20 World Team Trials held at Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio, the first week of June,” Immel notes. “Additionally, the top eight placers in each weight class in Las Vegas qualified for the U20 World Team Trials field.”
Numerous current and future Penn State wrestlers earned top-eight finishes. Kysion Garcia was fifth at 61 kilograms. Joe Sealey was second at 74 kilograms. Class of 2025 commit William Henckel was third at 79 kilograms. Sophomore-to-be Josh Barr was second at 86 kilograms. And, Class of 2024 commit Cole Mirasola was second at 97 kilograms.
Headlines of the day
How good can Penn State’s CB room be with the Lions replacing their top three?: Flounders, PennLive
Penn State post-spring transfer portal stock report: Julian Fleming: Pickel, BWI
For Penn State’s Kalen King, the NFL Draft Was ‘Nothing But a Humbling Experience’: Wogenrich, SI
Penn State UDFA tracker post-2024 NFL Draft: Carr, BWI
Former Penn State RB Trey Potts earns mini-camp invite with Kansas City Chiefs: Daily Collegian
Is Penn State tight end Theo Johnson the heir apparent for the Giants?: Carr, BWI
Quote of the day
“It’s extremely motivating. Not going where you thought you would go, seeing all the names being picked ahead of you, just enduring all that and seeing all that, I feel like it put a chip on my shoulder — a permanent chip on my shoulder that I’ve got to keep there.”
—Former PSU CB Kalen King to Green Bay media members after going to the Packers in Round 7 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
