Penn State Wrestling Dominates Out West, Extends Streak and Showcases Future Stars
Penn State wrestling took its show on the road this weekend, and even 1,500 miles from home, the Nittany Lions looked right at ease. Head coach Cael Sanderson had more than just wrestling on his mind as his team rolled into Laramie, Wyoming - this was a bit of a homecoming.
Sanderson, now in his 17th season at the helm of the program, grew up in Heber City, Utah, just a few hours away. And with family in the stands and a record-setting crowd packing the Arena-Auditorium, the Lions delivered a performance worthy of the occasion.
Penn State won the first eight bouts on its way to a 40-7 victory over Wyoming in front of 4,686 fans - the largest crowd ever for a wrestling dual at the venue. The Lions didn’t just win; they dominated, racking up four falls and two technical falls in the process.
“Yeah, I was excited to get out West,” Sanderson said. “My father and my mother, aunts and uncles, were there.
A lot of people made the drive over from Utah and Colorado Springs. It was cool.”
For Sanderson, these road trips serve a dual purpose: tough competition and the chance to grow the sport. “It was a great crowd,” he added.
“I love to hear that. It was like that a couple years ago at Oregon State when they sold out.
We love doing that kind of stuff.”
Desmond Steps Up - And Up in Weight
One of the most intriguing storylines out of Laramie was the debut of freshman Nate Desmond, who stepped into the lineup at 141 pounds - two weight classes above where he started the season. Desmond, who hails from Bethlehem and wrestled for Wyoming Seminary, made the most of his opportunity, defeating John Alden 11-4.
Just a few weeks ago, Desmond was wrestling at 125 pounds, where he beat teammate Luke Lilledahl at the Army Black Knight Invite. But after weighing in at 138 in Wyoming, it’s unlikely he’ll drop back down under the NCAA’s weight descent rules. Sanderson acknowledged that while Desmond could make 125 again, it would take a lot of work.
“He’s just a tough kid,” Sanderson said. “When he made 125, he didn’t complain.
He was smiling, had good energy, and competed really well. As a redshirt, he’s someone you want to get matches for, get him ready to go.”
Desmond’s appearance marked just his second of five allowable dates for true freshmen under NCAA rules. He replaced Cael Nasdeo at 141, who had stepped in for the injured Aaron Nagao. Sanderson noted that Nagao has been back on the mat in the practice room after suffering a right arm injury earlier this season.
“Obviously, he’s a guy we’re counting on in the future,” Sanderson said of Desmond. “He’s a great wrestler, great competitor.
He’s strong, so he can wrestle up and still perform well. We’re still figuring things out.
The kids are making decisions about what they want to do.”
Desmond’s versatility gives the staff options. “He could do really well at any of the three bottom weight classes,” Sanderson added.
“He’s got a big frame, could bulk up if he wanted to. But we have several guys we’re confident in at 141.
It was a good training opportunity on the road, in front of a full house. He responded well, and we’re excited.”
Blaze and Duke Bring the Heat
Desmond wasn’t the only true freshman making noise. Two other first-years - Marcus Blaze at 133 and PJ Duke at 157 - were in the lineup, and both looked like they belonged.
Blaze, in particular, turned heads with a second-period pin over Wyoming’s Luke Willochell. Leading 7-4, Blaze executed a slick takedown and transitioned into what looked like a Navy ride. But then he kept climbing, locked in a low-leg cradle, and finished the match in 3:39.
“I’ve never actually hit that move before in my life,” Blaze said with a grin. “It just kind of came to me. I don’t really plan moves out there; I just go off feel.”
That kind of instinctive wrestling is what makes Blaze such a dangerous competitor already. And with Duke showing similar readiness, the future of Penn State’s lower weights looks incredibly promising.
Looking Ahead: History on the Horizon
Next up for the Nittany Lions is the Journeymen Collegiate Duals near Nashville, where they’ll face North Dakota State and Stanford. If they win both, they’ll set a new Division I record with 77 consecutive dual meet victories - breaking the current mark of 76.
Stanford could present some interesting matchups, particularly if Penn State continues to shuffle the lineup due to injuries and redshirt considerations. Sanderson and his staff have been deliberate about managing freshmen workloads - they prefer to redshirt when possible - but with three true freshmen already in action, flexibility has become the name of the game.
One option still on the table: pulling the redshirt from Braeden Davis if Nagao isn’t ready to return. It’s not the preferred route, but it’s something the staff is weighing carefully.
Injury Updates and a Shoutout
Josh Barr, the 2025 NCAA runner-up at 197, is expected to travel to Nashville as he continues recovering from a rib injury suffered during the U-23 World Championships. Whether he competes remains uncertain, especially after Connor Mirasola suffered an ankle injury in the Wyoming dual.
And in a bit of high school news that hit close to home for one Nittany Lion, Penn State recruit Grey Burnett won the prestigious Ironman tournament at 126 pounds this weekend. Burnett was a high school teammate of Blaze at Perrysburg (Ohio), and Blaze was clearly thrilled to see his friend succeed.
“Yeah, obviously Grey is like one of my best friends, especially in high school, so yeah, that was really cool to see him win,” Blaze said.
Final Word
Penn State’s trip out West wasn’t just about padding the win column - though they did that in convincing fashion. It was about giving young wrestlers a chance to shine, testing the depth of the roster, and continuing to build a culture where performance meets opportunity.
With a record-setting streak within reach and a roster full of both proven stars and rising talent, the Nittany Lions are once again showing why they’re the gold standard in college wrestling.