Penn State wrestlers continue to be a dominant force for USA Wrestling. Four active wrestlers, two Nittany Lion Wrestling Club members and a future Penn State wrestler have opportunities to earn themselves a starting spot on the USA Wrestling team for the World Championships.
The order for Final X is different from the typical lightest to heaviest weight sequence, setting up a similar opener and main event that was seen at the 2024 NCAA Championships.
74 kilograms: Mitchell Mesenbrink vs. David Carr
Mitchell Mesenbrink and David Carr are no strangers to each other, facing off in the 2024 NCAA Championship while also battling in USA competition earlier this year.
In the initial big-time matchup, Carr, representing Iowa State, got the best of Mesenbrink in an exhilarating 9-8 finish.
However, Mesenbink got his payback, taking down Carr in tech fall fashion, 16-6, earning his spot at Final X.
Carr won at the World Team Trials to set up the best-of-three matchup to open up Final X in what should be another impressive battle.
At 165, Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink celebrates after wrestling Iowa’s Mike Caliendo, winning by 8-2 decision in the title match of the NCAA D1 Wrestling Championships in the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, March 22, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pa. This was Mesenbrink’s first national title. The Nittany Lions won the team competition with a score of 177.
79 kilograms: Levi Haines vs. Evan Wick
Levi Haines qualified for Final X in a different way than Mesenbrink. After not winning at the US Open, the Arendtsville, Pennsylvania, native rolled through the World Team Trials, setting up a big-time matchup with Wick.
Evan Wick finished third at the 2024 Olympic Qualifier and will better his finish no matter the result of the best-of-three.
The two have history, as Haines pinned Wick during the 2024 World Team Trials, and another year of experience for Haines could make a big difference against the experienced Wick.
92 kilograms: Josh Barr vs. Trent Hidlay
Josh Barr has carried his dominant breakout season into the USA Wrestling season. After not competing in the US Open, Barr controlled the World Team Trials at 92 kilograms, setting up the matchup with Trent Hidlay.
Hidlay had a lot of success during his collegiate career, finishing as a four-time All-American. With Barr now competing at the senior level, he’ll have additional competition.
Barr picked up silver at the 2024 U20 World Championships, and an additional year while moving up in weight classes could play a major factor in the senior-level Final X matchup against the veteran Hidlay.
97 kilograms: Kyle Snyder vs. Hayden Zillmer
Kyle Snyder is the first non-Penn State wrestler competing for the NLWC. Snyder dominated en route to a US Open victory, but will have a different opponent for Final X.
Hayden Zillmer took 97 kilograms at the World Team Trials and will face Snyder for only the second time ever. The two veterans faced off in 2019, where Snyder took the bout in an 11-0 tech fall.
Snyder has dominated the 97-kilogram division for years and looks to continue his streak.
70 kilograms: Yianni Diakomihalis vs. PJ Duke
A battle between two New York greats, Yianni Diakomihalis will take on the future New York star in PJ Duke.
Duke has taken the wrestling world by storm this year, showcasing how good he is despite not even setting foot yet in State College to begin his collegiate career. The high school star is just two wins away from representing Team USA at the World Championships.
Diakomihalis is the opposite, already completing his collegiate career
at Cornell. However, that experience could make a big difference in the Final X matchup.
The two have a high respect for each other, representing the state of New York at the highest level with a spot on the world team on the line.
