The Nittany Lions claimed their third four-peat, running away from the field to claim their 12th men’s Division I men’s wrestling national title under coach Cael Sanderson and 13th overall.

Starocci defeated Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen, 4-3, in the 184-pound final. Keckeisen was the defending champion in the weight class.

Starocci kept it all in perspective.

“It means a lot to me, but as for me — I never want to down play the moment — but I mean, it’s always cool, but one thing that Coach Cael really instills in us, this is all just preparation for the next thing.”

Penn State's Mitchell Mesenbrink (right) takes on Iowa's Mike Caliendo in the 165-pound final Saturday night at the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia. The Associated Press

Penn State, just the second program to have 10 All-Americans in one season, scored 177 points to top its record from last year.

The Nittany Lions picked up another championship when Mitchell Mesenbrink won the 165 final, 8-2, over Iowa’s Michael Caliendo. Mesenbrink finished unbeaten this season after losing in the national final a year ago. In the 197 final, Penn State’s third finalist Josh Barr fell to Iowa’s Stephen Buchanan, 5-2. Buchanan has been an All-American at Wyoming, Oklahoma and now Iowa.

Earlier Saturday, the Nittany Lions went 11-2 in the final consolation session, including a medical default loss by heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet in the consolation semifinals.

True freshman Luke Lilledahl finished third at 125, defeating Iowa’s Matt Ramos, 5-4, in a battle of the weight’s two top seeds. Braden Davis took fifth, picking up a fall over Connor MGonagle of Virginia. At 141, Beau Bartlett took third with a commanding 11-2 major decision over Penn’s CJ Composto in his final NCAA appearance. Shayne Van Ness also finished third with a 15-4 major decision over Ohio State’s Dylan D’Emillio. Tyler Kasak took third at 157 with his 8-0 major decision over Trevor Chumbley of Northwestern. In the 174 final, Levi Haines took down Iowa’s Patrick Kennedy, 11-3, by major decision.

See Monday’s Altoona Mirror for more on Penn State at the NCAA wrestling championships.

Iowa's Stephen Buchanan (left) attempts to take down Penn State's Josh Barr during the 197-pound final at the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia. The Associated Press

Hendrickson stuns Steveson for 285-pound title

Hendrickson, a transfer from Air Force, trailed in the last match of the evening until scoring on a takedown in the final minute — the only takedown Steveson allowed all season.

He saluted President Donald Trump, who was in attendance with Elon Musk and Sen. Dave McCormick, after his victory. With a United States flag draped over his shoulders, he then walked over and shook Trump’s hand and hugged him as part of his celebration. Trump also attended as a candidate in 2023 when the tournament was in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“It’s bigger than worlds, Olympics, anything,” an emotional Hendrickson said moments after the win.

Minnesota’s Steveson, seeking his third national title, was on a 70-match win streak. The 2021 and 2022 national champion retired at the end of the 2022 event, but returned this year after stints in World Wrestling Entertainment and the National Football League.

Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson (right) reacts after defeating Minnesota's Gable Steveson during the 285-pound final Saturday night at the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia. The Associated Press

Steveson entered the third period with a 3-2 lead before giving up the takedown with about 20 seconds remaining. The crowd erupted when Hendrickson scored and as time expired.

The rest of the finals

Nebraska finished second with 117 points and closed out it’s best tournament ever with Ridge Lovett winning at 149 and Antrell Taylor at 157. Oklahoma State finished third with 102.5 points and Iowa was fourth with 81.

North Carolina State freshman Vincent Robinson defeated Oklahoma State’s Troy Spratley, 2-1, at 125, and Illinois’ Lucas Byrd defeated Iowa’s Drake Ayala, 3-,2 at 133.

At 141, Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez rallied from a 5-0 deficit to beat Nebraska’s Brock Hardy, 12-9, and claim his second straight national title. Hardy was the No. 1 seed.

At 149, Lovett toppled the defending champion, Virginia Tech’s Caleb Henson, 1-0. Lovett became the first Cornhusker national champion since Jordan Burroughs in 2011.

Nebraska’s Taylor hung on to defeat Purdue’s Joey Blaze 4-2.

Oklahoma State’s Dean Hamiti defeated Missouri’s Keegan O’Toole, 4-1, in overtime to win at 174. O’Toole, the national champ at 165 in 2022 and 2023, challenged a takedown during regulation that was reversed and allowed him to get to overtime. In sudden victory, another takedown was challenged, but this time, it was upheld, and Hamiti celebrated with first-year coach David Taylor.