Penn State Wrestling Wins 5 Titles at Black Knight Invitational
Aaron Nagao made his Penn State wrestling debut Sunday, winning the 133-pound title at the Black Knight Invitational at Army West Point. Nagao was among five Nittany Lions to win tournament titles at the team's second event of the season.
Nagao, who placed fifth at the 2023 NCAA Wrestling Championships, transferred to Penn State during the offseason. The sophomore takes over the weight class formerly held by two-time NCAA champ Roman Bravo-Young, who defeated Nagao in the Big Ten championships. Nagao dominated the competition at Army West Point, scoring two technical falls, a pin and a major decision. Nagao ranks No. 3 nationally at 133, according to InterMat Wrestling.
True freshmen Braeden Davis (125) and Josh Barr (184), Beau Bartlett (141) and Mitchell Mesenbrink (165) all went 4-0 to win weight-class titles. Davis defeated two ranked wrestlers, while Mesenbrink wrestled his toughest bout against teammate Terrell Barraclough in the final. Mesenbrink won 8-5.
Seventeen Penn State wrestlers competed, with 12 winning medals. Most of the Nittany Lions' top wrestlers sat out the tournament while preparing for Tuesday's NWCA All-State Classic in State College. Shayne Van Ness (149), Carter Starocci (174), Bernie Truax (184) Aaron Brooks (197) and Greg Kerkvliet (285) are in the field for the high-profile exhibition at the Bryce Jordan Center.
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