UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (15-0, 8-0 B1G) rolled through the field to win 2026 Big Ten Championship on Sunday in their very own Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State, hosting the event for the first time since 2021, crowned seven individual championships as well. The Nittany Lions won the team race with 184.0 points, a new school record.
The Nittany Lions were nearly 40 points ahead of second place Ohio State, which had 148.5 points. The Championship is the 10th for Penn State, all under head coach Cael Sanderson.
Penn State has qualified all 10 of its wrestlers for the 2026 NCAA Championship in Cleveland in two weeks on March 19-21 in Rocket Arena. All rankings listed are InterMat as of Feb. 24, 2026. True freshman PJ Duke was honored as the 2026 Big Ten Championship Outstanding Wrestler.
Big Ten Wrestling Champions 2026
125 lbs – Luke Lilledahl (Penn State)
133 lbs – Ben Davino (Ohio State)
141 lbs – Jesse Mendez (Ohio State)
149 lbs – Shayne Van Ness (Penn State)
157 lbs – PJ Duke (Penn State)
165 lbs – Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State)
174 lbs – Levi Haines (Penn State)
184 lbs – Rocco Welsh (Penn State)
197 lbs – Josh Barr (Penn State)
285 lbs – Taye Ghadiali (Michigan)
Big Ten Wrestling Championships Finals
125 lbs – (1) Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) vs. (6) Jore Volk (Minnesota): Lilledahl wins by Dec SV 4-1
133 lbs – (3) Ben Davino (Ohio State) vs. (1) Marcus Blaze (Penn State): Davino wins by Dec TB2 2-2
141 lbs – (1) Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) vs. (2) Brock Hardy (Nebraska): Mendez wins by Dec 7-2
149 lbs – (1) Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) vs. (2) Ethan Stiles (Ohio State): Van Ness wins by Fall 3:29
157 lbs – (2) PJ Duke (Penn State) vs. (1) Antrell Taylor (Nebraska): Duke wins by MD 12-4
165 lbs – (1) Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) vs. (3) Mikey Caliendo (Iowa): Mesenbrink wins by MD 12-3
174 lbs – (1) Levi Haines (Penn State) vs. (2) Christopher Minto (Nebraska): Haines wins by Dec 2-1
184 lbs – (1) Rocco Welsh (Penn State) vs. (2) Max McEnelly (Minnesota): Welsh wins by Dec TB1 2-1
197 lbs – (1) Josh Barr (Penn State) vs. (2) Camden McDanel (Nebraska): Barr wins by TF 19-4 at 6:46
285 lbs – (1) Taye Ghadiali (Michigan) vs. (2) AJ Ferrari (Nebraska): Ghadiali wins by Dec 5-2
Big Ten Wrestling Championships Team Scores
Penn State – 184.0
Ohio State – 148.5
Nebraska – 116.5
Iowa – 87.0
Michigan – 86.5
Illinois – 78.0
Minnesota – 76.5
Rutgers – 63.5
Wisconsin – 55.0
Indiana – 40.0
Maryland – 35.5
Purdue – 29.5
Northwestern – 14.5
Michigan State – 10.5
This is Penn State’s tenth conference championship, having also won in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025 and now 2026. Penn State now has 76 Big Ten Champions spread among 41 individuals. Penn State’s seven champions is a new school record, set in 2024 and 2011.
