ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The highly anticipated wrestling match saw a full house of 9,769 fans at PPL Center, marking the second-largest home dual meet attendance in Lehigh history. The 22nd-ranked Mountain Hawks faced a formidable opponent in the top-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, who showcased their dominance once again by securing a convincing 36-3 victory. This match was part of the long-standing rivalry between the two teams, with Penn State claiming their 14th consecutive dual win against Lehigh.
In the opening match at 125, Lehigh’s wrestler faced off against Luke Lilledahl from Penn State, resulting in a tightly contested bout. Lilledahl managed to pull away late with a takedown, finishing with a 4-1 decision to give the Nittany Lions an early lead. The Mountain Hawks’ only victory came at 133, where sophomore wrestler Braeden Davis won a hard-fought match against top-10 ranked opponent Crookham, contributing a 4-2 decision to Lehigh’s score. Unfortunately, that was where the Mountain Hawks’ fortunes changed, as the Nittany Lions dominated the subsequent bouts.
Penn State’s winning streak continued with strong performances from their wrestlers, including a string of bonus point victories. The final five matches featured wrestlers ranked No. 1 or No. 2, all of whom delivered convincing wins, solidifying Penn State’s dominant position in collegiate wrestling. Notable bouts included a technical fall by Mitchell Mesenbrink at 165, a pin by Levi Haines at 174, and a major decision by Carter Starocci at 184, despite a team point being deducted for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Lehigh will now take a break for final exams before returning to the mat on December 20 for the Sheridan Tournament at Stabler Arena, starting at 10 a.m.
This match highlights the competitive spirit and talent within collegiate wrestling, especially as Lehigh aims to regroup and come back strong in their upcoming events. While the outcome may be disappointing for the Mountain Hawks, the experience gained from competing against the top-ranked team is invaluable for their growth and development as athletes. Fans remain hopeful that Lehigh will use this match as motivation for future competitions.
Summary: The Lehigh Mountain Hawks faced off against the number one ranked Penn State Nittany Lions in a sellout match, losing 36-3. Lehigh’s lone win came from sophomore Braeden Davis at 133 pounds. Despite the defeat, Lehigh’s wrestling team is set to regroup and prepare for upcoming competitions after a break for exams.