After winning its second consecutive Big Ten title and crowning five individual champions, Penn State wrestling swept the conference’s individual post-tournament awards.
Aaron Brooks was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Year and Outstanding Wrestler of the Championships, Mitchell Mesenbrink was selected as Freshman of the Year and Cael Sanderson was tabbed Coach of the Year.
Brooks became the third Penn Stater and 18th wrestler in conference history to win four Big Ten titles when he claimed the 197 pound championship with a tech fall on Sunday. He won his previous two bouts in this year’s tournament by tech fall and major decision. Ranked No. 1 at 197, Brooks is now 17-0 on the season and will be seeking his fourth NCAA championship in two weeks in Kansas City.
Mesenbrink continued his undefeated redshirt freshman season with a thrilling third-period comeback to win the 165 pound title in a 13-11 decision over No. 1 seed and defending champ Dean Hamiti of Wisconsin. After transferring from Cal-Baptist, where he redshirted last season, Mesenbrink is now 22-0.
Sanderson led Penn State to its eighth Big Ten team title after its fourth straight undefeated regular season. The Nittany Lions set a program record with 170.5 points, breaking the previous mark of 157.5 set in 2019, to run away with the championship over second place Michigan’s 123.5.
The five individual champions matched the program record. Penn State now has 64 Big Ten champions, 45 of them under Sanderson.
Nine Penn State wrestlers advanced to the final session of the Big Ten Championships. In addition to the championships by Brooks, Mesenbrink, Braeden Davis, Levi Haines and Greg Kerkvliet, Beau Bartlett and Bernie Truax finished second and Tyler Kasak and Aaron Nagao took third.
The Nittany Lions will now gear up for the NCAA Championships March 21-23 in Kansas City, Missouri.
