Three Penn State Wrestlers to Compete in November Classic

The NWCA All-Star Classic arrives at Rec Hall on November 24 with three local Nittany Lions set for action.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Wrestling

Expressive sports illustration of two wrestlers grappling in navy and white singlets, capturing the intensity of a collegiate match.
Three Penn State wrestlers, including Josh Barr, Shayne Van Ness, and Rocco Welsh, are set to compete in the NWCA All-Star Classic on November 24. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Josh Barr, Shayne Van Ness, and Rocco Welsh are scheduled to represent Penn State at the upcoming NWCA All-Star Classic on November 24. The event will be hosted at Rec Hall in State College.

Why it matters

This showcase brings 20 of the countrys best collegiate wrestlers together to compete in a high-profile exhibition. The event highlights elite talent across various weight classes, including matches featuring top Penn State competitors.

The event features a collection of 20 top wrestlers, including three-time All-American Shayne Van Ness who competes in the 149-pound weight class. The showcase will also highlight four women's matches and a D-II vs. D-III collegiate segment.

The players

Shayne Van Ness

He is a three-time All-American wrestler for Penn State who competes in the 149-pound weight class.

Josh Barr

He is a Penn State wrestler who previously defeated Stephen Little at the Journeyman Collegiate Duals and Southern Scuffle.

Rocco Welsh

He is a Penn State wrestler who has secured multiple victories over Brock Mantanona in various high-stakes collegiate matches.

The details

The upcoming event at Rec Hall will feature a series of marquee bouts including matchups for Barr, Van Ness, and Welsh. Fans can watch the competition via a live stream provided on FloWrestling.

Timeline

  1. November 24, 2026: The NWCA All-Star Classic will occur at Rec Hall.

  2. 2023: Shayne Van Ness defeated Caleb Henson 5-3 at the NCAA Championships.

  3. December 2024: Josh Barr defeated Stephen Little 4-1 at the Journeyman Collegiate Duals.

  4. January 2026: Josh Barr defeated Stephen Little 9-1 at the Southern Scuffle.

Season Trajectory

The exhibition follows the established format of the NWCA All-Star Classic, which focuses on high-level individual showcases rather than standard team dual meets. This event provides a mid-season opportunity to evaluate top talent before the intense tournament schedule intensifies.

The inclusion of Van Ness, Barr, and Welsh in this showcase provides fans with a high-level preview of potential postseason contenders. The event is broadcast exclusively through the FloWrestling streaming platform for viewers unable to attend in person.

The takeaway

The NWCA All-Star Classic serves as a premier showcase for elite individual wrestling talent before the championship season heats up. Fans should follow official university announcements to track when tickets for this Rec Hall event become available.

What happens next

Ticket information for the November 24 event at Rec Hall will be released in the future.

Further reading

For more information on the local program, visit the Wrestling section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Onward State.

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