Penn State wrestling lands Cal Baptist transfer Mitchell Mesenbrink
Penn State wrestling has made another big splash in the NCAA transfer portal. The Lions have picked up a commitment from Wisconsin native and former Cal Baptist wrestler Mitchell Mesenbrink.
“One of the biggest things is the trust I had in them,” Mesenbrink told WIWrestle. “I really wanted to go there since I was a little kid, and I feel like the trust I have in them even before I step in the room, I feel like they can take me to levels that really only they can take me to.”
Mesenbrink signed with CBU ahead of the 2022-2023 season and projected as a 157-pound wrestler. However, in his only two matches at the school, he competed at 165 pounds and won them both. Mesenbrink said at the start of 2023, however, that he was planning to enter the portal. Now, he’s out of it and will be a Nittany Lion.
Mesenbrink had a decorated high school career. He was a silver medalist at the U20 world championships and is also a Fargo All-American. A two-time Wisconsin state champ, Mesenbrink also took top honors at Pre-Season Nationals, Recruiting Showcase Nationals, and USA Folkstyle Nationals before reaching the college level.
“It wasn’t what I expected [at Cal Baptist], and it kind of wasn’t the right fit for me,” Mesenbrink told FLO Wrestling about his decision to enter the transfer portal. “[Entering the portal] is a re-do [of his recruitment], and I’m going to make it count for sure.”
How does Mitchell Mesenbrink fit in at Penn State?
Mesenbrink is probably not the first wrestler most Penn State fans would have guessed if asked who the Lions would target in the transfer portal. That’s because it has the 165-pound starting spot filled by redshirt sophomore Alex Facundo. And, All-American Levi Haines is at 157.
“If the best thing is 157, if the best thing is 165, or if the best thing is an Olympic redshirt, I’m going to trust them,” Mesenbrink said. “I’m not going to walk in there and be like, I’m the guy. They’re going to do the best things to put the national champ out there.”
He was a second-team All-Freshman All-American pick by InterMat and finished his first season as a starter with a 19-6 mark. A competition will take place between the newcomer and the returners for the right to be in the Lions’ lineup.
What happens with Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks as it relates to either or both taking an Olympic redshirt year or competing for Penn State during the 2023-2024 season will be a factor. If either or both sit out, Levi Haines and/or Facundo may move up in the lineup, which may allow for those two and Mesenbrink to be in the lineup. Either way, competition is king in head coach Cael Sanderson’s room. The addition of Mesenbrink adds some.
Lions make second transfer splash
Mesenbrink is the second wrestler to pick Penn State this offseason out of the portal. The other is three-time All-American Bernie Truax IV. Capable of wrestling at either 184 pounds or 197, he picked the Lions earlier this week.
