When dual action begins on the mat, 165-pound Penn State wrestler Mitchell Mesenbrink is as fierce as they come.
Relatively unknown in collegiate competition, the Cal Baptist transfer has been putting on quite the show in his first year at Penn State. So far in his redshirt freshman campaign, Mesenbrink is an impressive 13-0 with a handful of bonus point wins, including over ranked opponents. Most recently, No. 10 Caleb Fish of Michigan State and No. 8 Cameron Amine of Michigan.
Wrestling only two matches at Cal Baptist, much of Mesenbrink’s success has come on the international circuit, winning the U20 gold medal at 74 kilograms in 2023 and silver at 70 kilograms in 2022. His absence in collegiate duals made Mesenbrink somewhat of a surprise entrant into the season’s early rankings and a surprise challenge to his unlucky opponents.
Mesenbrink was recently one of only three Penn State wrestlers to be ranked in the top 10 of the season’s first NCAA Coaches Poll (some who will be ranked have not yet reached the minimum of eight matches wrestled). Since the transfer wasn’t ranked during his first season in college, Mesenbrink cracking the top 10 in his first year as a ranked wrestler, all the while completing the feat before the halfway mark of the season, has been quite an accomplishment.
Jokingly, head coach Cael Sanderson mentioned Mesenbrink’s quick rise to the “killer” status apparent this season.
“We obviously didn’t know that he was going to be the killer that he is or we would’ve camped out in his front yard,” Sanderson said. “He’s done really well for us. He’s just a kid that wants to get better all the time.”
With two major decisions in his last two matches, it seems as if Mesenbrink is only getting better as the season goes on. The aforementioned relentless work ethic complemented by his great coachability has quickly turned the young wrestler into a formidable title contender.
“It was a big weekend for him. We knew coming in that he had two of the best guys in the country… He’s been very consistent. He is the same person every day, and I think that is a trait of a great competitor,” Sanderson said. “He’s loose, he’s confident, he used a lot of different things to score points, and he even had to come back in one match.”
“He used his conditioning, he used his technique. He’s only a freshman so he will just continue to get better,” Sanderson continued.
With praise coming from who some may consider the best collegiate wrestler to grace the sport, Mesenbrink isn’t concerned about falling victim to the limelight, nor is he worried about his past or his future. His only focus is now.
“It’s cool to live in the moment and I do try to sometimes,” Mesenbrink said. “But usually once I leave the arena it’s done, it’s just, ‘Alright, let’s keep getting better.’”
In terms of future opponents, rather than not acknowledging who he would face, Mesenbrink already understands no matter who he faces, he will be going up against a tough opponent. Fun is the only feeling on his radar, though.
“I have just been focusing on myself a lot and making sure I have been having fun and enjoying it… A year ago, I was at home and just trying to get better by myself,” Mesenbrink said. “Now being with the team and being with the best coaches in the world… It has been great.”
As the team continues its three-match road trip, finishing up this Sunday in Maryland, Mesenbrink doubled down on his fun-having ways as he chimed in on how road trips weld the wrestlers into a collective team.
“There’s something about being on the road that’s just really fun… It makes the guys even closer because there’s no way you can be out on your own, the only choice is to unite as a team,” Mesenbrink said. “Even before the matches, you are in a crowd full of hostile people in hostile territory and you can just smile at the coaches, thinking, ‘This is sweet. This is just so much fun.’”
Mesenbrink will continue his season when the Nittany Lions take on Maryland on Sunday, January 28, in College Park. The dual will begin at noon and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
