Penn State wrestling set to attend Journeymen Collegiate Classic in November
Penn State wrestling is set to attend another prestigious early-season tournament run by Journeymen Wrestling. According to a graphic posted by the event organizer, the Nittany Lions will be one of 17 programs at the Collegiate Classic on Nov. 12 at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pa. Ticket information is not yet available. But, wrestling will begin at 9 a.m. ET.
Head coach Cael Sanderson first took his team to a Journeymen event, the Journeymen Duals, during the 2021-2022 season. Then, it knocked out Sacred Heart 47-3 and Oregon State 32-7 at the Spooky Nook complex in Manheim, Pa. Last year, the Lions traveled to the Collegiate Wrestling Duals in December. There, they beat Central Michigan 50-3, North Carolina 37-3, and Iowa State 22-12 in New Orleans.
This year’s list of teams coming to the individual and not dual meet tournament includes North Carolina State, Arizona State, Lehigh, Purdue, Long Island University, Lock Haven, Harvard, Franklin & Marshall College, Bloomsburg, Pitt-Johnstown, Buffalo, Sacred Hart, Army, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell. The event’s official website will post additional details when available.
Penn State will not release its full schedule until later this year as Sanderson and co., aim to defend their Big Ten regular and postseason titles in addition to their NCAA crown. We do already know, however, that the Lions will host Lehigh in State College for a non-conference dual meet on Dec. 3. A time is not yet known. The team will also travel to Iowa, Michigan, Maryland, and Michigan State for Big Ten matches during the 2023-2024 season. It will host Rutgers, Nebraska, Indiana, and Ohio State for conference duals. It is unclear how many of those will be at the Bryce Jordan Center versus Rec Hall.
Penn State wrestling wrapping up productive offseason
Penn State wrestling is wrapping up a productive offseason with classes now underway in State College. Transfer addition Mitchell Mesenbrink just won World gold at the U20 Championships. The team also added former All-Americans Aaron Nagao and Bernie Truax IV out of the portal this offseason. The former comes from Minnesota and the latter Cal Poly at 133 pounds and 184, respectively. Last but not least, former Michigan 125-pounder Kurt McHenry is now in State College, as well.
One other off-season news of note that relates to the current team is Jimmy Kennedy taking the role of full-time assistant coach after a couple of years as a volunteer.
