Cole Mirasola’s First-Period Frenzy Shows Why He’s a Rising Force for Penn State Wrestling
STATE COLLEGE - At 285 pounds, you expect power. What you don’t always expect is speed - and that’s where Cole Mirasola is starting to separate himself from the pack.
The redshirt freshman heavyweight put on a clinic Friday night at Rec Hall, helping No. 1-ranked Penn State blank Indiana, 48-0. The Nittany Lions dominated across the board with 48 takedowns as a team, but Mirasola’s performance stood out for its sheer explosiveness. He racked up seven takedowns in the first period alone, steamrolling Indiana’s Caleb Marzolino in a 22-6 technical fall that took just 2 minutes and 46 seconds.
Seven takedowns. One period. That’s not just dominance - that’s a statement.
Mirasola, now 11-2 on the season, continues to show why he’s becoming a key piece in Penn State’s stacked lineup. And this wasn’t just a one-off performance. Earlier this month, he edged Iowa’s highly touted Ben Kueter in a gritty 4-3 win during the Lions’ emphatic 32-3 road victory in Iowa City - a matchup that turned heads across the college wrestling landscape.
What’s driving his success? According to Mirasola, it’s not about chasing wins - it’s about sharpening his craft.
“I just feel like I keep getting better and I’m just focusing on getting better every match,” he said after Friday’s win. “I’m just trying to focus on what I do every match and not really like focusing on winning.
Just kinda doing my system and just kind of developing. It’s obviously fun getting a bunch of takedowns.”
That mindset - development over results - is the kind of approach that pays off in March. And under the guidance of Penn State’s powerhouse coaching staff, Mirasola is clearly trending in the right direction.
Penn State improves to 10-0 overall and 4-0 in Big Ten competition, continuing its march through the dual season with the kind of depth and firepower that’s become a trademark of the program. They’ll hit the road again Saturday to face Maryland, where Mirasola and the rest of the lineup will look to keep the momentum rolling.
If Friday night was any indication, this redshirt freshman isn’t just finding his rhythm - he’s starting to take over.