Mitchell Mesenbrink at 174? We'd bet on him, but Penn State has a puzzle
Preseason rankings point toward a weight change for the unbeaten champion, with a title threat waiting and a teammate already in the way.
Mitchell Mesenbrink could chase another title at 165. Instead, preseason rankings place him at 174, where his arrival would scramble both the title race and Penn State's lineup. We would bet on him to win it, if the move happens.
- Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State #1 at 165
- Christopher Minto, Nebraska #1 at 174
- Simon Ruiz, Cornell #2 at 174
- Beau Mantanona, Michigan #3 at 174
The distinction matters: an expected move is not a confirmed move. Mesenbrink wrestled at 165 last season, went 27-0 and won an NCAA title. His preseason placement at 174 comes with a No. 1 ranking and plenty left to settle.
Minto gives this bet some teeth
Christopher Minto Nebraska #1 at 174
Christopher Minto already holds a No. 1 ranking at 174. Nebraska's NCAA runner-up went 24-6, beat Patrick Kennedy 5-1 and beat Carson Kharchla 4-1. Calling Mesenbrink our favorite means betting he can get past a wrestler who has already reached the final at this weight.
Simon Ruiz adds another obstacle. Cornell's No. 2 wrestler went 19-2, with wins over Lenny Pinto and Matthew Singleton. Losses to Danny Wask and Carson Kharchla leave room to question his title chances, but we would not treat him as a minor problem.
Why we lean toward Mesenbrink
Mesenbrink's wins over Mikey Caliendo show why we like the gamble. He beat him by technical fall and by a 12-3 major decision. Those were emphatic results, though they do not establish what he would do against the leaders at 174.
Our bet rests on Mesenbrink's unbeaten championship season and his ability to win those matches by wide margins. Moving up would give him a different test. We still like him for the title, but a preseason ranking cannot win that argument for him.
Penn State's unanswered lineup questions
William Henckel is already ranked No. 8 at 174 for Penn State. The sophomore went 9-0, including wins over Nick Fine and Aidan Wallace. An arrival at his weight would create a lineup collision, with no confirmed resolution.
Mesenbrink's expected departure would also leave a question at 165: who fills it? No replacement is established here. Until that spot and the overlap at 174 are settled, this remains a title bet tied to an unfinished lineup.