Penn State Wrestling has become the gold standard in college wrestling—and it isn't by accident.In this exclusive interview, PJ Duke, Rocco Welsh, and Luke Lilledahl discuss what separates the Nittany Lions from every other program in the country.From winning another NCAA team championship to returning to practice just days later, they explain the championship culture built inside the Penn State wrestling room under Coach Cael Sanderson.Chapters:00:00 Penn State's championship mindset01:33 Why they chose Penn State02:42 The culture that makes Penn State different04:31 Poker, rock climbing & life off the mat06:36 The incredible Penn State wrestling fan base08:24 What outsiders don't understand09:39 Learning to handle losses11:21 Goals for next season13:26 Three words that define Penn State WrestlingWhether you're a Penn State fan, college wrestling fan, athlete, coach, or competitor, this conversation provides a rare look inside one of the most successful programs in NCAA history.FOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE:► TWITTER | ⁠https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU⁠► TIKTOK | ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu⁠► INSTAGRAM | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/⁠► YOUTUBE | ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1⁠► FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558183472272#pennstate #weare #happyvalley #NCAAWrestling

Christian Hackenberg and Brian Tripp break down everything happening around Penn State Football after We Are at the Shore.
They discuss Matt Campbell's impact on the culture, why this year's receiver room could determine the season, behind-the-scenes stories from meeting current players and alumni, breakout candidates, and why Penn State fans should be optimistic heading into 2026.
They also dive into Penn State Hockey, the NHL Draft, Gavin McKenna's impact on the program, and how championship cultures are built across Penn State Athletics.
If you're a Penn State football fan, this episode provides insider analysis you won't hear anywhere else.
Subscribe for new episodes of Statewide throughout the season.
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Penn State Wrestling's success goes far beyond championships.Connor Pierce sits down with Hayden Cunningham, Nate Desmond, Mason Ellis, and returning NCAA Champion Mason Ellis to discuss what truly makes the Nittany Lions different.From poker nights, golf outings, pickleball battles, and Fortnite sessions to the brotherhood that fuels one of the greatest dynasties in college sports, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the culture inside Penn State Wrestling.

The team shares stories about Greenberg, team bonding, leadership, championship expectations, and why having fun might actually be the secret to sustained success.Subscribe for more exclusive Penn State Wrestling interviews and behind-the-scenes content from Happy Valley.Chapters:00:00 Meet Hayden Cunningham, Nate Desmond & Mason Ellis00:48 Life Inside A Championship Program01:46 The Strong Team Bond and Culture03:09 Life Outside Wrestling04:44 What Made This Team Different?05:13 The Famous Minivan Story06:48 How Greenberg Changed Team Culture07:45 The Cheesecake Challenge09:14 The Truth About "Locking In"10:22 Enjoying The Grind11:06 Three Words That Define Penn State WrestlingFOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE:► TWITTER | ⁠https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU⁠► TIKTOK | ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu⁠► INSTAGRAM | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/⁠► YOUTUBE | ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1⁠► FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558183472272#PennStateWrestling #NCAAWrestling #CollegeWrestling

Sean Degl opens up about his wrestling journey from New York youth tournaments to Penn State Wrestling. He discusses wrestling through a major knee injury, taking a gap year, training with some of the best wrestlers in the country, and why Penn State's culture separates it from every other program.Degl stories about his father coaching him, overcoming setbacks, competing at the national level, gaming with friends, learning from Cael Sanderson, and what makes the Penn State wrestling room unique.Chapters:00:00 Growing Up in New York00:25 First Wrestling Memories00:55 Qualifying for States with His Dad in the Corner01:35 The Biggest Influence on His Journey02:00 Learning from Cael Sanderson & Casey Cunningham03:05 What Injury Taught Him About Growth03:35 Taking a Gap Year at Penn State04:40 Why He Chose Penn State Wrestling05:03 Culture Over Status & Money05:33 Sean's Competitive Gaming Obsession07:15 How Sean Describes Penn State's Culture08:57 Closing ThoughtsFOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE:► TWITTER | ⁠https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU⁠► TIKTOK | ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu⁠► INSTAGRAM | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/⁠► YOUTUBE | ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1⁠► FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558183472272#pennstate #weare #happyvalley

Mitchell Mesenbrink sits down to discuss his wrestling journey from Wisconsin to Penn State, the influence of his family, lessons from Coach Cael Sanderson, emotional growth, faith, music, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.Mesenbrink shares why Penn State Wrestling was always his dream destination, how he's learning to master his emotions on and off the mat, and why joy is at the center of everything he does.Subscribe for more Penn State Wrestling interviews, athlete stories, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive conversations.Chapters:00:00 Growing Up in Wisconsin00:12 First Wrestling Memories00:36 Why High School Wrestling Was Special00:53 Parents Who Changed Everything01:20 Learning Emotional Control02:08 Why Penn State Was The Dream02:32 What Makes Penn State Different02:54 Why Cael Sanderson Is Special03:40 Next Season Hype04:15 Wrestling, Music & The FutureFOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE:► TWITTER | ⁠https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU⁠► TIKTOK | ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu⁠► INSTAGRAM | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/⁠► YOUTUBE | ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1⁠► FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558183472272#pennstate #weare #happyvalley

Penn State wrestler Dalton Perry sits down to discuss his journey from Renovo, Pennsylvania, to one of the most dominant programs in college wrestling.Perry reflects on starting wrestling as a kid, overcoming injury, the impact of his parents and coaches, and why Penn State was always his dream school. He also shares what makes Cael Sanderson such a special leader, how he defines Penn State's championship culture, and why he wants fans to remember him as a wrestler who wasn't afraid to let it fly.Chapters:0:00 Growing Up In Renovo, Pennsylvania0:16 Early Wrestling Memories0:39 Coaches Who Made The Difference0:46 Family Support1:21 Realizing College Wrestling Was Possible1:37 Why Penn State?2:01 What Makes Cael Sanderson Special2:43 Olympic & World Championship Goals2:57 How Dalton Perry Wants To Be RememberedFOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE:► TWITTER | ⁠https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU⁠► TIKTOK | ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu⁠► INSTAGRAM | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/⁠► YOUTUBE | ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1⁠► FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558183472272#pennstate #weare #happyvalley

Connor Pierce sits down with Braeden Davis, Sam Beckett, Brock Weiss, and Branden Wentzel to talk about what Penn State wrestlers do off the mat.From laser tag and fishing to dodgeball before practice, funny teammates, outdoor hobbies, and team memories, the guys share a lighter look at life inside Penn State Wrestling.What makes Penn State so special from the rest of college wrestling? Hear directly from the athletes who live it every day.Chapters:0:00 Meet Braeden Davis, Sam Beckett, Brock Weiss & Branden Wentzel0:32 Reflections on Another National Championship1:03 The Secret Behind Consistency2:08 Favorite Off-The-Mat Memories3:36 How Different Personalities Become Teammates4:32 The Side of Penn State Wrestling Most Don’t See5:10 Funniest Wrestlers on the Team6:18 Personality Shows Up in Wrestling Style7:30 Final ThoughtsFOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE:► TWITTER | ⁠https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU⁠► TIKTOK | ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu⁠► INSTAGRAM | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/⁠► YOUTUBE | ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1⁠► FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558183472272#PennState #PennStateWrestling #NCAAWrestling #weare #happyvalley

Marcus Blaze sits down to discuss his wrestling journey, growing up in Ohio, winning state championships alongside his brother, and why Penn State Wrestling felt like home.Blaze shares stories from his earliest wrestling memories, the family culture that shaped him, his relationship with Coach Cael Sanderson, and the goals driving him forward as he pursues NCAA, World, and Olympic success.From flushing a fourth-place medal down the toilet as a kid to dreaming of Olympic gold, Marcus Blaze gives Penn State fans a look at the competitor and person behind one of wrestling's brightest young stars.Chapters:00:00 Growing Up in Ohio00:16 First Wrestling Memories00:35 Winning State Titles with His Brother00:53 What Made High School Wrestling Special01:25 Overcoming Adversity01:40 When Wrestling Became His Passion02:12 Hidden Talent: Pickleball02:19 What Makes Cael Sanderson Unique02:59 World and Olympic GoalsSubscribe for more Penn State Wrestling coverage, athlete interviews, and behind-the-scenes content.FOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE:► TWITTER | ⁠https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU⁠► TIKTOK | ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu⁠► INSTAGRAM | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/⁠► YOUTUBE | ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1⁠► FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558183472272#pennstate #weare #happyvalley

Penn State wrestler Ty Watson shares the story of growing up just minutes from campus, discovering wrestling at four years old, and turning a childhood dream into reality.In this interview, Watson reflects on the family support that shaped his journey, the memories that made wrestling special, the impact of his faith, and what it means to compete for the program he grew up watching.

From winning in Pennsylvania's toughest wrestling environment to training under Cael Sanderson and the Penn State coaching staff, Watson discusses the culture, the fans, and the goals driving him into the upcoming season.If you're a Penn State Wrestling fan, this is a look inside the mindset of one of the Nittany Lions' hometown wrestlers.Chapters:0:00 Growing Up in Centre Hall0:54 Ty Watson's First Wrestling Memory1:26 Learning Through Wins and Losses1:41 Favorite High School Wrestling Memories3:18 Biggest Influences4:14 Realizing He Could Wrestle at the Next Level5:27 Learning from Cael Sanderson 6:20 What Makes Penn State Wrestling Different8:01 Goals for the Upcoming SeasonFOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE:► TWITTER | ⁠https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU⁠► TIKTOK | ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu⁠► INSTAGRAM | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/⁠► YOUTUBE | ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1⁠► FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558183472272#PennStateWrestling #ShayneVanNess #NCAAWrestling

Shayne Van Ness reflects on his wrestling journey from Somerville, New Jersey, overcoming injuries, choosing Penn State, and preparing for another season in Happy Valley.Van Ness discusses the brotherhood that shaped him, lessons learned through adversity, the leadership of Cael Sanderson, and what he hopes Penn State fans remember most about his career.From funny childhood wrestling memories to his goals for the future, this conversation offers an inside look at one of the Nittany Lions' most respected competitors.Chapters:0:00 Growing Up in New Jersey0:05 Starting Wrestling Before He Could Walk0:24 Brotherhood & High School Memories0:41 Coaches Who Shaped Him0:58 Family Support Throughout His Journey1:13 The Path to Division I Wrestling1:39 The Hobby Fans Don't Know About1:47 What Makes Cael Sanderson Special2:29 Excitement for One More Season2:38 Where He Sees Himself in Five YearsFOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE:► TWITTER | ⁠https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU⁠► TIKTOK | ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu⁠► INSTAGRAM | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/⁠► YOUTUBE | ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1⁠► FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558183472272#PennStateWrestling #ShayneVanNess #NCAAWrestling