Author: Prince Owo Blo
⚡ Rising Rivalry Ignited: Penn State Commit Marcus Blaze Upsets Iowa Bound Bo Bassett at Team Trials Penn State fans are buzzing after freshman phenom Marcus Blaze, a standout 2025 commit, pulled off a statement win over Bo Bassett, a top recruit headed to Iowa. The showdown took place at the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, and Blaze’s 5‑1 victory isn’t just a win—it’s a seismic shift in a budding Big Ten rivalry . In the 65 kg freestyle consolation semifinal, Blaze—already a U17 world champion—landed a decisive four‑point throw late in the first period, riding it…
🚨 Penn State Power Surge: Levi Haines & Josh Barr Clinch Senior World Team Trials Titles for Final X Berths! Penn State wrestling just shook the elite wrestling world. This weekend in Louisville, Levi Haines (79 kg) and Josh Barr (92 kg) each captured their weight classes at the Senior World Team Trials, punching tickets to Final X and bringing two more Nittany Lions one step closer to the 2025 World Championships . Haines avenged a brutal NCAA semifinal loss by decisively dominating Oklahoma State’s Dean Hamiti with a 10–2 victory, six takedowns across all periods. He’ll contest the best-of-three against…
😱 Edge‑of‑Your‑Seat Finish: Kyle Dake Stuns Penn State’s Carter Starocci in World Team Trials Thriller At the U.S. World Team Trials in Louisville, wrestling fans witnessed a showdown for the ages. Penn State titan Carter Starocci, a five-time NCAA champion, nearly toppled two-time world champ Kyle Dake in the 86 kg finals—but heartbreak struck when a late takedown was overturned, handing Dake the narrow victory. In an electrifying match that ended 3–3, Starocci appeared to secure a decisive takedown in the final seconds. The arena exploded—only for officials, upon instant replay, to reject the call, ruling the takedown came after time expired. The reversal…
🔥 Penn State Athletics Races Up Directors’ Cup Chart—Is a Top-5 Finish Within Reach? Penn State’s all-sport dominance is no fluke. Fresh off a series of recent victories—highlighted by dual national titles in women’s volleyball and hockey, a College Football Playoff run, and a Frozen Four ice hockey appearance—the Nittany Lions have surged into the top tier of the Directors’ Cup standings. ESPN confirms the jump follows their winning streak across multiple sports . Coming off a stellar fall season—ranking third nationally in the Learfield Directors’ Cup with 335 points—Penn State trails only North Carolina and Stanford . The…
🔥 AT THE MATS AND BEYOND: Thomas Gilman Accepts USADA Suspension—A New Chapter for Nittany Lion Wrestling Club Penn State-affiliated wrestling star Thomas Gilman has accepted an 18-month USADA suspension due to three whereabouts filing failures within a 12-month period. His ineligibility began May 16, 2025, and all his competitive results after September 23, 2024, have been disqualified including medals and rankings . Gilman recently joined the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club (NLWC), Penn State’s elite freestyle program and a USA Wrestling-sanctioned Olympic regional training center. The club, known for producing world champions, must now adjust around his suspension . Key Impact…
🌟 Penn State’s Newest Phenom: PJ Duke Crowned Nation’s Top High School Wrestler – What This Means for the Nittany Lions He’s not just great—he’s the best. This week, PJ Duke, Penn State’s prized 2025 recruit, has been crowned the nation’s top high school wrestler, claiming the prestigious Junior Dan Hodge Trophy—widely considered wrestling’s version of the Heisman . Imagine: the #1 recruit in the country, now officially the king of high school grapplers. But what does that mean for Penn State? Coming off a historic career—four-time New York state champion, undefeated senior season, and decorated at…
🔥 U20 Domination: PJ Duke & Marcus Blaze Signal Penn State Wrestling’s Next Great Era Penn State wrestling’s future just got supercharged. At the 2025 U20 World Team Trials in Geneva, Ohio, incoming Nittany Lions PJ Duke and Marcus Blaze delivered breathtaking performances, securing spots on the U20 World Team and announcing themselves as cornerstone pieces of Cael Sanderson’s legendary program. PJ Duke, the 2025 Junior Hodge Trophy winner, stormed the 70 kg bracket with confidence. He swept Oklahoma State recruit Landon Robideau 7–0 and 9–4 to claim gold—a title he already backed up with a victory at the Senior World…
🚨 Former Penn State Wrestler Joins Epic Antitrust Lawsuit Against UFC—Could This Change MMA Forever? A surprising new twist emerged this week: a former Penn State wrestler has officially filed an antitrust lawsuit against the UFC, joining over 1,200 fellow fighters in a bold legal attack on the promotion’s business model. This case builds on the landmark Le v. Zuffa class action, where athletes have alleged that the UFC abused its market dominance—using monopolistic contracts, exclusive terms, and acquisitions—to suppress fighter pay and limit competition . 📌 Why This Lawsuit Matters: A Big Legal Win Already in Hand:…
🏆 Rocco Welsh’s U23 National Title Stuns Wrestling World—Is He Penn State’s Next Heavy-Hitter? Fresh off his high-profile transfer from Ohio State, Rocco Welsh has exploded onto the Penn State wrestling scene by capturing gold at the 2025 U23 National Championships in Geneva, Ohio. In flawless style, Welsh went 7–0 at 86 kg, sealing the title with back-to-back victories (4–2, 6–3) over Maryland’s NCAA medalist Jaxon Smith . More than just a trophy, this win signals Welsh’s intent to carry Penn State’s dominant legacy forward. A former NCAA finalist for Ohio State, he wasted no time blending into PSU’s roster—and he’s…
💰🔥 Penn State’s Wrestling Titan: Just How Much Is Cael Sanderson Really Worth? Penn State surprised the college sports world this week by publicly disclosing cael sanderson’s compensation under the state’s Right-to-Know law — and the numbers are nothing short of jaw-dropping. The legendary coach, who has led the Nittany Lions to an NCAA-record 12 team championships, raked in $1,017,300 for the 2023–24 season . But how does that shake out, and what does it mean for college athletics? 💼 The Breakdown Here’s how Sanderson’s pay package stacks up: Base salary: $315,177 Bonuses & incentive…