LEWISTOWN — From the mat to talking to Mifflin County High School wrestlers during a clinic, Mitchell Mesenbrink dominates his opponents the same way he instructs young wrestlers — one takedown at a time.

The Penn State wrestler made a pitstop a few days before the Nittany Lions opened their new season by overwhelming a feisty Oklahoma squad, 45-0, on Friday night in front of 8,003 fans at the Bryce Jordan Center.

The win marked the 72nd straight for Penn State.

Top ranked at 165 pounds, Mesenbrink proved the bout was his first step in defending coveted NCAA individual and team titles. Mesenbrink, now a junior, battled Owen Eck and needed 2:45 to cruise to a 19-4 technical fall.

Mesenbrink scored quickly, taking Eck down in the opening seconds to lead 3-1. He muscled the Sooner over for a second takedown at 2:20 and led 6-1.

Mesenbrink worked Eck to his back briefly, but the Sooner rolled out of danger and Mesenbrink continued on top. Mesenbrink cut Eck loose at a reset and immediately connected on a low single to open up a 9-3 lead after a quick Sooner escape.

Mesenbrink quickly took him down a fourth time and turned him for four back points to lead 16-3 at :22. He cut Eck loose and finished off the match with a final takedown.

There was little drama as neither Mesenbrink’s match nor the Nittany Lions’ outcome hung in the balance. The tech fall pushed Penn State’s margin to 34-0 over the Sooners.

Coming off an undefeated season and international gold, this Nittany Lion is roaring louder than ever.

Mesenbrink visited the Mifflin County High School wrestling program and its elementary counterpart on Nov. 4. Besides wrestling for Penn State and training with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, Mesenbrink brought more than just accolades — he brought wisdom, humility and inspiration.

During his visit, Mesenbrink shared his journey to Penn State, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and committed through every challenge. He spoke candidly about the role wrestling has played in shaping his character.

“I credit my coaches and our program’s leaders for helping me become the man I am today,” Mesenbrink said.

He also offered practical advice on maintaining a healthy diet and fueling the body for peak performance — knowledge that resonated deeply with the young athletes. But perhaps most impactful was his message about mindset, relationships and long-term growth.

“Wrestling will end one day, but the relationships built through this sport are lifelong,” he said.

One student, Silas Riden, a ninth-grader at Mifflin County Junior High School with 8 years of wrestling experience, summed it up perfectly,

“It’s really cool that one of the best wrestlers in the world would come to our school. Mitchell seemed excited to be there and was very good about answering all our questions.”

Mesenbrink doesn’t take anything for granted despite an impressive list of recent achievements:

2025 NCAA Division I Champion

2025 Big Ten Champion

2025 Under-23 World Champion

Widely recognized for his aggressive style, technical precision and meteoric rise in both college and international wrestling, Mesenbrink continues to inspire not only with his victories — but with his voice.

Mesenbrink’s visit is part of Geisinger’s innovative NIL initiative, which connects college athletes with local communities to inspire the next generation.

His presence with the local wrestlers was more than a guest appearance — it was a reminder that sports can be a powerful platform for mentorship and growth.