Mitchell Mesenbrink, the Penn State wrestling junior, has claimed his second NCAA title. He achieved this feat in the NCAA Championships finals.
He defeated Mikey Caliendo in the 165-pound title bout in Rocket Arena. Mesenbrink pummelled the Iowa senior with his relentless, fast-attacking style, earning him the nickname “The Missile”.
Dominant Performance in the Final
Mesenbrink hit four takedowns in the first period alone. He secured a 20-4 technical fall victory.
The win marked Mesenbrink’s 27-0 record this season. It also padded PSU’s points total that clinched a fifth straight team title, pushing it toward another NCAA record.
Mesenbrink’s Collegiate Wrestling Success
Mesenbrink’s only college defeat came in the NCAA title match as a freshman, and by a single point. He led the NCAA “Most Dominant Wrestler” standings all season, winning each of his first 24 matches with bonus points.
He is a favourite for the Hodge Trophy, given to the nation’s top wrestler. Mesenbrink also defeated Caliendo in the finals of the recent Big Ten Championships and last year’s NCAA finals, among others.
Record-Breaking Winning Percentage
Mesenbrink’s career record gives him the top winning percentage (98.8) in school history (for wrestlers with at least 50 matches). Those right behind him include Ed Ruth (97.84, 136-3 record) and Olympic gold medal winner and current Oklahoma State coach David Taylor (97.81, 134-3).
From Fan to Champion
Mesenbrink grew up a Penn State wrestling fan in Wisconsin. However, he wasn’t accomplished enough to earn the scholarship attention of PSU in high school.
After breaking through on the international tournament scene and starting his college career at Cal-Baptist, Mesenbrink pursued a bigger stage. Sanderson and company welcomed him as a transfer and he quickly broke into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman, where’s he won nearly every match since.
Mesenbrink won the Nittany Lions’ first national title Saturday night, following teammate Shayne Van Ness’ upset defeat at 149 pounds.