Penn State wrestling wrapped up their regular season with a mix of triumph and heartache. The Nittany Lions showcased their dominance, winning an impressive 93% of their matches and boasting a 139-11 dual record. However, the celebration was bittersweet as they bid farewell to a valued teammate, Aaron Nagao.
Nagao, a standout wrestler, announced his medical retirement on Friday, February 20. This decision came after enduring two consecutive season-ending injuries.
His journey at Penn State began with promise, but injuries plagued his career. In his debut 2023 season, despite battling injuries and illness, he posted a solid 17-7 record and came within a whisker of a second All-American title, having already achieved this honor at Minnesota.
Nagao's redshirt freshman year with the Golden Gophers saw him finish as a Big Ten Runner-Up, falling to Penn State's Roman Bravo-Young in the finals. Unfortunately, his time at Penn State was marred by recurring shoulder issues. After a surgery sidelined him in 2024-25, he faced another setback in the 2025-26 season, forcing him to medically forfeit key tournaments.
On January 14, it was confirmed that Nagao required a second surgery. Reflecting on Nagao's contributions, head coach Cael Sanderson expressed deep admiration: “He’s been very special for our program.
A classy, happy, grateful, and tremendous competitor. Despite the injury setbacks, he remains a positive influence and will undoubtedly succeed in life.
We’re grateful for his time at Penn State.”
As the Nittany Lions gear up for the postseason, their first challenge is the Big Ten Tournament at the Bryce Jordan Center. The action kicks off on Saturday, March 7, with sessions at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
ET, available on Big Ten Network and Big Ten+. The competition continues on Sunday, March 8, with sessions starting at 12 p.m.
ET.