Penn State wins 2025 Big Ten Wrestling Championships

Evanston, ill. And The Penn State won the 2025 Big Ten Wrestling Championships title on Sunday with a team score of 181.5. Nittany Lions won their ninth Big Ten Championship Crown overall and third consecutive title. Penn State won five individual titles from Luke Lilledahl (125), Tyler Kazak (157), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165), Levi Haine (174) and Carter Starocci (184).

Nebraska finished in second place with 137 points, followed by third place Iowa with 112 points. Minnesota claimed fourth place by 108.5 points, and Illinois rounded the top five with 105.5 points.

Penn State’s Starocci was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Year, Minnesota’s Gable Steveson was named the most excellent wrestler for the championship, while teammate Max Mcenelly received the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Honor. Cael Sanderson was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the third year in a row and ninth total.

The Penn State-Nybstor Lilledahl claimed the Big Ten championship of 125 pounds after a 4-3 decision against Nebraskas Caleb Smith. At 133 pounds Illinois’ Lucas Byrd served his first championship, which was attached (3:16) Drake Ayala from Iowa.

At 141 pounds, Nebraskas Brock Hardy claimed first place with a fall (1:59) over Minnesota’s Vance Vombaur. Huskers’ Ridge Lovett topped Michigan’s Austin Gomez, 1-0, to successfully defend his title of £ 149. Kazak earned Kazak a 12-2 major decision over Ohio State’s Brandon Cannon to take the belt home.

Mesenbrink successfully defended his title of 165 with a 4-1 decision against Iowas Mike Caliendo. Haines became a three-time big ten champion after a 12-1 major decision on Nebraskas Lenny Pinto of 174 pounds. Nittany Lion teammate Starocci also became a three-time Big Ten champion with an 8-5 sudden victory against Minnesota’s Max McEnelly at 184.

Jacob Cardenas became Michigan’s first champion in 197 since 2021 with the 4-2 upset decision against Iowas Stephen Buchanan. Gophers’ Steveson set aside the evening with a 10-3 win against Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet of 285 to become the program’s second four-time big ten champion and join Verne Gagne (1944-49) in the record books.

The complete list of the Big Ten Individual Awards and All-Big Ten Honorees can be found below.

Big Ten Wrestling Championships Individual Prices

Wrestler of the year: Carter Starocci, Penn State

November of the Year: Max Mcenelly, Minnesota

Coach of the Year: Cael Sanderson, Penn State

Excellent wrestler from the championship: Gable Steveson, Minnesota

2025 All-Big Ten first team

Luke Lilledahl, Penn State, 125

Lucas Byrd, Illinois, 133

Brock Hardy, Nebraska, 141

Ridge Lovett, Nebraska, 149

Tyler Kazak, Penn State, 157

Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State, 165

Levi Haines, Penn State, 174

Carter Starocci, Penn State, 184

Jacob Cardenas, Michigan, 197

Gable Steveson, Minnesota, 285

2025 All-Big Ten Second Team

Caleb Smith, Nebraska, 125

Drake Ayala, Iowa, 133

Vance Vombaur, Minnesota, 141

Kannon Webster, Illinois, 149

Brandon Cannon, Ohio State, 157

Mike Caliendo, Iowa, 165

Lenny Pinto, Nebraska, 174
Max Mcenelly, Minnesota, 184

Stephen Buchanan, Iowa, 197

Greg Kerkvliet, Penn State, 285

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