Penn State Wrestling Opts Out of Inaugural National Duals Invitational
The landscape of collegiate wrestling will see a significant new event this upcoming season with the debut of the National Duals Invitational. However, one prominent program will be notably absent: the reigning four-time NCAA champion Penn State Nittany Lions. Despite receiving an automatic invitation as one of the top 12 teams from the 2025 NCAA Championships, Penn State has officially declined to participate in the inaugural tournament, which boasts a lucrative $1 million purse.
The deadline for teams to accept their automatic bids passed on April 12th, and while eleven of the twelve invited programs have committed, Penn State is the sole team to turn down the opportunity. This decision has sparked discussion within the wrestling community, especially considering the prestige and potential financial benefits associated with the event. The National Duals Invitational, scheduled to take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on November 15th and 16th, aims to be a high-profile kickoff to the 2025-2026 college wrestling season.
While the program itself has not issued a formal statement regarding their decision, head coach Cael Sanderson hinted at his reservations about the event earlier in the year. When asked about the National Duals Invitational in January, Sanderson expressed a sentiment that he has held for a long time. He questioned the necessity of such an event to create excitement around college wrestling, suggesting that the sport already possesses numerous compelling teams and programs. Sanderson’s remarks indicated a long-standing skepticism towards the concept of a national dual meet championship.
The absence of Penn State, the most dominant force in collegiate wrestling over the past decade, will undoubtedly be felt at the National Duals Invitational. The Nittany Lions have captured 12 of the last 14 NCAA team titles and are currently riding a remarkable 71-dual meet winning streak. They were also the only program in the 2025 NCAA Championships to have all ten of their starters earn All-American honors, underscoring their unparalleled depth and talent.
Despite missing out on the National Duals Invitational, Penn State’s upcoming season holds significant potential. They are on the cusp of breaking Oklahoma State’s record of 76 consecutive dual meet victories, needing just six wins to surpass the mark. While the National Duals could have provided an opportunity to secure some of those wins early in the season, their schedule will undoubtedly feature a series of challenging dual meets that will test their continued dominance.
The National Duals Invitational will still feature a strong field, including six Big Ten Conference teams such as NCAA runner-up Nebraska, as well as host Oklahoma State, coached by former Penn State national champion David Taylor. However, the absence of the reigning national champions will leave a void in the inaugural event, prompting further discussion about the role and relevance of national dual meet competitions in the landscape of college wrestling. Penn State’s focus will likely remain on preparing for the Big Ten Championships and ultimately aiming for their fifth consecutive NCAA team title in the spring of 2026.
