Mesenbrink, Van Ness Named Big Ten Wrestlers to Watch
The conference's preseason list features 28 athletes, including 14 All-Americans and two reigning national champions.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Wrestling
The Big Ten named Penn State wrestlers Mitchell Mesenbrink and Shayne Van Ness to its Wrestlers to Watch list on Wednesday. Mesenbrink finished the 2025-26 season 27-0 and won his second straight national title at 165 pounds.
Why it matters
Inclusion on the list spotlights the conference's top returning wrestlers ahead of the season. Penn State's pair of honorees underscores the program's depth as it pursues a sixth straight national championship.
The list includes 28 athletes, among them 14 All-Americans and two reigning national champions. Mesenbrink finished 27-0 in 2025-26, while Van Ness went 25-1 overall and 8-0 against Big Ten opponents, finishing as national runner-up.
The players
Mitchell Mesenbrink
Penn State wrestler who won the Dan Hodge Trophy and back-to-back national championships at 165 pounds.
Shayne Van Ness
Penn State wrestler who was an All-American at 149 pounds and finished as national runner-up.
The details
Mesenbrink won the Dan Hodge Trophy and his second consecutive national championship at 165 pounds. Van Ness, an All-American at 149 pounds last season, finished as national runner-up. The Big Ten announced the honorees on Wednesday.
Timeline
The 2025-26 season ended with Mesenbrink's 27-0 record and national title.
The Big Ten announced the Wrestlers to Watch list on November 4, 2026.
Penn State opens its quest for a sixth straight national title against Bloomsburg on November 12, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Penn State enters the season seeking a sixth straight national team championship, and its two named honorees anchor that pursuit. Their inclusion on the Big Ten list signals the program's continued prominence within the conference.
Mesenbrink and Van Ness are both returning contributors for Penn State, a factor for fans tracking the Nittany Lions' lineup. Their status on the Big Ten list may influence how the conference's bracket and individual rankings are viewed through the season.
The takeaway
The Big Ten's preseason list highlights how much talent returns to the conference's top programs. Readers following college wrestling can use these honorees as a starting point for tracking the season.
What happens next
Penn State begins its quest for a sixth straight national title against Bloomsburg on November 12, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in State College Wrestling.
