Match Recap
Penn State
WINNER
North Dakota State
NITTANY LIONS DOMINATE IN COMMANDING VICTORY OVER NORTH DAKOTA STATE
NASHVILLE — In a dominant display of wrestling prowess, the Penn State Nittany Lions overwhelmed North Dakota State by a score of 46-0 at Montgomery Bell Academy on December 20, 2025. The Nittany Lions controlled the action from start to finish in this key matchup.
Early Nittany Lions Momentum
The action began at 125 pounds where Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) earned a decision (6-5) to give the home team an early lead at Penn State 3, North Dakota State 0. At 133 pounds, Marcus Blaze (Penn State) earned a major decision (11-3), extending the home team's advantage at Penn State 7, North Dakota State 0. The 141-pound bout saw Nate Desmond (Penn State) prevailed by decision (4-1), extending the home team's advantage at Penn State 10, North Dakota State 0.
Key Middle Bouts
The momentum firmly shifted to Nittany Lions beginning at 125 pounds, as the home team put together a crucial streak of 10 consecutive victories. At 125 pounds, Luke Lilledahl prevailed by decision, followed by Marcus Blaze with a major decision at 133 pounds, followed by Nate Desmond with a decision at 141 pounds, followed by Shayne Van Ness with a technical fall at 149 pounds, followed by PJ Duke with a major decision at 157 pounds, followed by Mitchell Mesenbrink with a technical fall at 165 pounds, followed by Levi Haines with a pin at 174 pounds, followed by Rocco Welsh with a technical fall at 184 pounds, followed by Josh Barr with a technical fall at 197 pounds, and at 285 pounds, Cole Mirasola capped the run with a pin, pushing the score to Penn State 46, North Dakota State 0.
Sealing the Victory
With the team victory already secured for Penn State, at 184 pounds, Rocco Welsh (Penn State) earned a technical fall in 6:27 (19-4), followed by Josh Barr at 197 pounds who secured a technical fall in 3:20 (19-3), In the final bout at 285 pounds, Cole Mirasola earned a fall in 0:33, making the final score Penn State 46, North Dakota State 0.
Takedown Statistics
In the takedown battle, Penn State led with a 28 takedown advantage. Overall, Penn State finished with 29 takedowns to North Dakota State's 1. Rocco Welsh (Penn State) led all wrestlers with 6 takedowns, followed by PJ Duke (Penn State) with 5 takedowns and Josh Barr (Penn State) with 5 takedowns.
Bout-by-Bout Analysis
Final: Penn State 46 – North Dakota State 0
125: Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) dec. Ezekiel Witt (North Dakota State) 6-5 // Penn State leads 3-0
133: Marcus Blaze (Penn State) major dec. Tristan Daugherty (North Dakota State) 11-3 // Penn State leads 7-0
141: Nate Desmond (Penn State) dec. Michael Olson (North Dakota State) 4-1 // Penn State leads 10-0
149: Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) tech fall Max Petersen (North Dakota State) in 5:16 19-2 // Penn State leads 15-0
157: PJ Duke (Penn State) major dec. Gavin Drexler (North Dakota State) 16-5 // Penn State leads 19-0
165: Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) tech fall Boeden Greenley (North Dakota State) in 3:45 18-1 // Penn State leads 24-0
174: Levi Haines (Penn State) won by fall over Tyler Secoy (North Dakota State) in 1:38 // Penn State leads 30-0
184: Rocco Welsh (Penn State) tech fall Andrew McMonagle (North Dakota State) in 6:27 19-4 // Penn State leads 35-0
197: Josh Barr (Penn State) tech fall Devin Wasley (North Dakota State) in 3:20 19-3 // Penn State leads 40-0
285: Cole Mirasola (Penn State) won by fall over Drew Blackburn-Forst (North Dakota State) in 0:33 // Penn State wins 46-0