Penn State's Mesenbrink claims bronze medal at U23 World Championships

Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Mitchell Mesenbrink claimed a world bronze medal at the United World Wrestling U23 World Championships. Mesenbrink, competing at 74 kg, went 3-1 for third place in Tirana, Albania. Action began on Friday, Oct. 25 and concluded Saturday, Oct. 26.

Mesenbrink began the tournament on Friday. He downed No. 2 seed Murat Dzhakupov of Kazakhstan 7-2 in the opening round before dropping an 11-8 bout to Japan's Kota Takahashi in the quarters. He rebounded with a 16-7 win over Iran's Ali Abbas on Saturday morning in the repechage.

The win over the Iranian wrestler moved Mesenbrink into a Bronze Medal match against No. 6 Magomedrasul Asluev of Bahrain. Mesenbrink scored first in the third place bout, taking a 1-0 lead just under :30 into the first period. The lone early point was the only scoring in the first period and Mesenbrink led 1-0 after one. Mesenbrink took a 2-0 lead midway through the second period on passivity from Asluev. He then notched two points for a 4-0 lead shortly after that, upped it to 6-0 at :30 and walked away with a World Bronze Medal with the 6-0 win.

Penn State opens up the 2024-25 season with an exhibition and an NCAA dual meet in Rec Hall. Penn State will once again how the NWCA All-Star Classic Exhibition, which is not an official NCAA event or part of Penn State's season ticket package, on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0200612BD69D5222 . Penn State's official NCAA schedule then begins the next day with a home dual in Rec Hall when the Nittany Lions host Drexel at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17.