### **Two Nittany Lions Secure Top Spots at World Team Trials**
Penn State wrestling continues to make waves on the national stage, as **Levi Haines** and **Josh Barr** have secured top spots at the **2025 U.S. Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament**. Their performances have earned them a chance to compete at **Final X**, where they will battle for a spot on the **U.S. World Team** [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/wrestling/2-penn-state-wrestlers-1-club-member-advance-in-hunt-for-spots-on-us-world-team/ar-AA1EYsM2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZDR3cEs2RzdOS2l5YjdwNUc1WVhRIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL3dyZXN0bGluZ1wvMi1wZW5uLXN0YXRlLXdyZXN0bGVycy0xLWNsdWItbWVtYmVyLWFkdmFuY2UtaW4taHVudC1mb3Itc3BvdHMtb24tdXMtd29ybGQtdGVhbVwvYXItQUExRVlzTTIiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJFR0pMcmhMTkNBbUV0b1N6U1c4YWkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### **Dominant Performances at the Trials**
Haines, competing in the **79 kg** weight class, showcased his elite skills throughout the tournament. In the finals, he faced **Dean Hamiti** of Oklahoma State, a rematch from the **NCAA semifinals** earlier this year. After a competitive first period, Haines took control in the second, executing four takedowns to secure a **10-2 victory** [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/wrestling/2-penn-state-wrestlers-1-club-member-advance-in-hunt-for-spots-on-us-world-team/ar-AA1EYsM2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZDR3cEs2RzdOS2l5YjdwNUc1WVhRIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiRUdKTHJoTE5DQW1FdG9TelNXOGFpIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL3dyZXN0bGluZ1wvMi1wZW5uLXN0YXRlLXdyZXN0bGVycy0xLWNsdWItbWVtYmVyLWFkdmFuY2UtaW4taHVudC1mb3Itc3BvdHMtb24tdXMtd29ybGQtdGVhbVwvYXItQUExRVlzTTIifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His ability to adjust and dominate against a familiar opponent highlights his growth and determination.
Barr, wrestling at **92 kg**, also delivered a stellar performance. Facing **Aedon Sinclair** of Missouri, Barr used a **four-point throw** and a late takedown to claim a **7-3 victory** [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/wrestling/2-penn-state-wrestlers-1-club-member-advance-in-hunt-for-spots-on-us-world-team/ar-AA1EYsM2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJFR0pMcmhMTkNBbUV0b1N6U1c4YWkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cubXNuLmNvbVwvZW4tdXNcL3Nwb3J0c1wvd3Jlc3RsaW5nXC8yLXBlbm4tc3RhdGUtd3Jlc3RsZXJzLTEtY2x1Yi1tZW1iZXItYWR2YW5jZS1pbi1odW50LWZvci1zcG90cy1vbi11cy13b3JsZC10ZWFtXC9hci1BQTFFWXNNMiIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJkNHdwSzZHN05LaXliN3A1RzVZWFEifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His aggressive style and technical precision have made him one of the most exciting wrestlers in his weight class.
### **The Road to Final X**
With their victories, Haines and Barr will now compete at **Final X**, the prestigious event that determines who will represent the **United States at the 2025 Senior World Championships in Croatia** [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/wrestling/2-penn-state-wrestlers-1-club-member-advance-in-hunt-for-spots-on-us-world-team/ar-AA1EYsM2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZDR3cEs2RzdOS2l5YjdwNUc1WVhRIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiRUdKTHJoTE5DQW1FdG9TelNXOGFpIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL3dyZXN0bGluZ1wvMi1wZW5uLXN0YXRlLXdyZXN0bGVycy0xLWNsdWItbWVtYmVyLWFkdmFuY2UtaW4taHVudC1mb3Itc3BvdHMtb24tdXMtd29ybGQtdGVhbVwvYXItQUExRVlzTTIifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Haines will face **Evan Wick**, a former Wisconsin standout, while Barr will take on **Trent Hidlay**, a former North Carolina State wrestler [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/wrestling/2-penn-state-wrestlers-1-club-member-advance-in-hunt-for-spots-on-us-world-team/ar-AA1EYsM2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZDR3cEs2RzdOS2l5YjdwNUc1WVhRIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiRUdKTHJoTE5DQW1FdG9TelNXOGFpIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL3dyZXN0bGluZ1wvMi1wZW5uLXN0YXRlLXdyZXN0bGVycy0xLWNsdWItbWVtYmVyLWFkdmFuY2UtaW4taHVudC1mb3Itc3BvdHMtb24tdXMtd29ybGQtdGVhbVwvYXItQUExRVlzTTIifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) international wrestling. The **Nittany Lion Wrestling Club**.
Their success at the trials adds to Penn State’s growing legacy in has consistently produced top-tier talent, and Haines and Barr are the latest to carry that tradition forward.
### **Penn State’s Continued Dominance**
Penn State’s wrestling program has long been a powerhouse, and this year is no exception. With **Mitchell Mesenbrink (74 kg) and Luke Lilledahl (57 kg)** already securing spots at Final X through their **U.S. Open victories**, the Nittany Lions now have **four wrestlers** aiming for a place on the **U.S. World Team** [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/wrestling/2-penn-state-wrestlers-1-club-member-advance-in-hunt-for-spots-on-us-world-team/ar-AA1EYsM2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJFR0pMcmhMTkNBbUV0b1N6U1c4YWkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZDR3cEs2RzdOS2l5YjdwNUc1WVhRIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL3dyZXN0bGluZ1wvMi1wZW5uLXN0YXRlLXdyZXN0bGVycy0xLWNsdWItbWVtYmVyLWFkdmFuY2UtaW4taHVudC1mb3Itc3BvdHMtb24tdXMtd29ybGQtdGVhbVwvYXItQUExRVlzTTIifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Additionally, **Kyle Dake (86 kg)**, a club member, advanced to Final X after defeating **Carter Starocci**, another Penn State standout, in a dramatic **3-3 victory on criteria** [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/wrestling/2-penn-state-wrestlers-1-club-member-advance-in-hunt-for-spots-on-us-world-team/ar-AA1EYsM2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJFR0pMcmhMTkNBbUV0b1N6U1c4YWkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cubXNuLmNvbVwvZW4tdXNcL3Nwb3J0c1wvd3Jlc3RsaW5nXC8yLXBlbm4tc3RhdGUtd3Jlc3RsZXJzLTEtY2x1Yi1tZW1iZXItYWR2YW5jZS1pbi1odW50LWZvci1zcG90cy1vbi11cy13b3JsZC10ZWFtXC9hci1BQTFFWXNNMiIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJkNHdwSzZHN05LaXliN3A1RzVZWFEifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### **Looking Ahead**
As Final X approaches, all eyes will be on Haines and Barr as they prepare for their biggest challenge yet. Their performances at the **World Team Trials** have already cemented their status as elite competitors, but securing a spot on the **U.S. World Team** would be the ultimate achievement.
With their talent, determination, and the support of the **Penn State wrestling community**, Haines and Barr are poised to make a significant impact on the international stage.
Will they rise to the occasion and earn their place among the world’s best? Wrestling fans won’t have to wait long to find out. 🏆🤼♂️
[A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/wrestling/2-penn-state-wrestlers-1-club-member-advance-in-hunt-for-spots-on-us-world-team/ar-AA1EYsM2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJFR0pMcmhMTkNBbUV0b1N6U1c4YWkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZDR3cEs2RzdOS2l5YjdwNUc1WVhRIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL3dyZXN0bGluZ1wvMi1wZW5uLXN0YXRlLXdyZXN0bGVycy0xLWNsdWItbWVtYmVyLWFkdmFuY2UtaW4taHVudC1mb3Itc3BvdHMtb24tdXMtd29ybGQtdGVhbVwvYXItQUExRVlzTTIifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1): [Source](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/wrestling/2-penn-state-wrestlers-1-club-member-advance-in-hunt-for-spots-on-us-world-team/ar-AA1EYsM2)
