Penn State’s Connor Mirasola Wins Gold At U23 Pan Am Wrestling Championships

Penn State’s Connor Mirasola won gold at the U23 Pan American Wrestling Championships on Thursday in Lima, Peru.

The only Nittany Lion in the tournament, Mirasola wrestled for the United States as 125 kg. He went 4-0, helping the United States win the men’s freestyle team race, scoring 65 more points than Puerto Rico in second place.

It marks the second year in a row that Mirasola has won gold in the tournament.

How It Happened

Mirasola started his day in round one against Mexico’s Leonardo Luis Angel Guerrero Aviles. Mirasola won by a 4-1 decision. He next took on Puerto Rico and Chattanooga wrestler Ethan Vergara, winning 10-0 by tech fall. The Nittany Lion then took on Jorawar Dhinisa of Canada and won the bout 12-1 by tech fall.

In his final bout of the day, Mirasola faced Santiago Mantilla, representing Colombia. Mirasola took the match 10-0 by tech fall, ending his day with an undefeated 4-0 record while winning the gold medal at 125 kg.

With Mirasola’s effort, the United States won the men’s freestyle team event handily, scoring 245 points. USA wrestlers won gold in nine of 10 weight classes. Puerto Rico and Mexico placed second and third, scoring 180 and 100 points, respectively.

Mirasola continues a strong offseason while representing the United States after a redshirt freshman season in which he went 6-1 at 197 pounds, including a 3-1 mark in dual meets. He looks poised to compete with his twin brother, Cole, for the starting heavyweight spot for the Nittany Lions next season.