Wrestling Falls to #1 Penn State - Discover Hidden USA

University Park, Pennsylvania, played host to a decisive contest on Friday evening as the #1 Penn State Nittany Lions secured a 50-0 victory over the Princeton Tigers, concluding the 2025-26 dual season for both teams. The shutout marks Penn State’s eighth of the year, demonstrating their dominance in collegiate wrestling.

Strong Individual Performances Amidst Defeat

Despite the overall scoreline, several Princeton wrestlers showcased competitive spirit. First-year Matthew Martino, competing in the 141-pound class, initially took the lead against #12 Braeden Davis with a first-period takedown. Though he secured another takedown, Davis ultimately prevailed with an 11-8 decision.

#14 Eligh Rivera also demonstrated resilience at 149 pounds, responding to an early takedown by #1 Shayne Van Ness with one of his own. However, Van Ness ultimately secured a major decision victory. First-year Gavin Hawk, wrestling at 157 pounds, managed to score eight points against #4 PJ Duke before falling by technical fall.

Did You Know? Penn State currently holds the national ranking as a team and individually in six weight classes.

Penn State’s Dominance on Display

The Nittany Lions’ victory was underscored by three falls secured by Mitchell Mesenbrink at 165 pounds, Levi Haines at 174 pounds, and Josh Barr at 197 pounds, over Princeton’s Ty Whalen, Cody Tavoso, and Conor McCloskey, respectively. Additional technical falls were recorded against Xavier Giles and Sebastian Garibaldi at 184 and 285 pounds, respectively, and a technical fall was also recorded against Gavin Hawk.

Expert Insight: A shutout of this magnitude highlights the significant competitive gap between programmes, and underscores Penn State’s consistent performance at the highest level of collegiate wrestling.

Looking Ahead

While the dual season has concluded for Princeton, some members of the team are scheduled to compete in the Patriots Last Chance Open on Sunday in Fairfax, Virginia. This open tournament could provide valuable competitive experience and an opportunity to refine skills before potential post-season competition. Performances at this event will influence individual wrestler seeding and strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the match?

The final score was Penn State 50, Princeton 0.

Which Princeton wrestlers put up a strong fight despite the loss?

Matthew Martino, Eligh Rivera, and Gavin Hawk all demonstrated competitive efforts in their respective matches.

Where will Princeton wrestlers compete next?

Some members of the Princeton wrestling team will compete at the Patriots Last Chance Open in Fairfax, Virginia, on Sunday.

What factors contribute to the success of a dominant wrestling program like Penn State?