š„ U20 Domination: PJāÆDuke & Marcus Blaze Signal Penn State Wrestlingās Next Great Era
Penn State wrestlingās future just got supercharged. At the 2025 U20 World Team Trials in Geneva, Ohio, incoming Nittany Lions PJ Duke and MarcusāÆBlaze delivered breathtaking performances, securing spots on the U20 World Team and announcing themselves as cornerstone pieces of Cael Sandersonās legendary program.
PJ Duke, the 2025 Junior Hodge Trophy winner, stormed the 70āÆkg bracket with confidence. He swept Oklahoma State recruit Landon Robideau 7ā0 and 9ā4 to claim goldāa title he already backed up with a victory at the Senior World Team Trials and an active bid at FinalāÆX .
Just as dominant at 61āÆkg, MarcusāÆBlaze powered past opponents with two 10ā0 technical falls and a 4ā1 decision to claim his spot . Already a U17 world champion in 2023 and a U20 bronze medalist in 2024, Blaze showed no signs of slowing down against elite competition .
These two are more than trial winnersātheyāre signals that Penn Stateās tradition of excellence will continue. Theyāre joined by heavyweights Connor and Cole Mirasola at 92āÆkg and 125āÆkg, respectively, and freshman William Henckel at 79āÆkgāmeaning five Nittany Lions will represent Team USA in Bulgaria this August .
For Sanderson and his staff, these results are gold: recruits stepping into the program with international titles already under their belts, ready to elevate the collegiate lineup. PJ Dukeāon the brink of another senior-level world teamāand Blazeāalready stacked with age-group accomplishmentsāare just the beginning.
As Penn State looks to defend its NCAA crown next season, this wave of U.S. World Team talent gives the Lions depth, experience, and momentum. Their dominance at U20 trials isnāt just a previewāitās a declaration. The future of Penn State wrestling has arrived, and it’s already wearing gold.