Penn State wrestling championships: History, stats, records from the dynasty

The Cael Sanderson era at Penn State ushered in a new wave of championships, titles, expectations and success. Since arriving in State College in 2009, Sanderson has coached 32 NCAA champions and led his team to nine team titles. He’s turned this program into one of the best college wrestling dynasties of this century, and he’s on track to become one of the greatest coaches of all time. 

But Penn State’s history dates back even before Sanderson. 

Here’s a complete look at the success of the Blue and White and the athletes who have come to define Nittany Lion Wrestling. 

Penn State wrestling quick facts

Coach: Cael Sanderson
Location: State College, Pennsylvania
All-time record (through the 2021-2022 season): 974-303-37
NCAA championships: 1953, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
Conference tournament championships: 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1924, 1925, 1936, 1937, 1942, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1957, 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019

Penn State wrestling has won a total of 10 national championships including a consecutive run of four titles from 2011-2014 and another run of four titles from 2016-2019. The team is currently ranked No. 1 in the NWCA poll with four returning national champions and nine ranked wrestlers. 

Penn State Statistical Leaders

Penn State season wins
1. Scott Moore: 54 (2003)
2. Kerry McCoy: 47 (1994)
3. Josh Moore: 44 (2004)
T-4. Jim Martin: 43 (1989)
T-4. Kerry McCoy: 43 (1995)
T-4. Mark Becks: 43 (2003)
T-7. Jim Martin: 41 (1988)
T-7. Kerry McCoy: 41 (1997)
9. Josh Moore: 40 (2003)
10. Carl DeStefantis: 39 (1984)

Penn State career wins

1. Jim Martin: 155 (1986-1989)
2. Kerry McCoy: 150 (1993-1997)
3. Josh Moore: 146 (2001-2004)
4. Greg Elinsky: 138 (1984-1987)
5. Ed Ruth: 136 (2011-2014)
6. David Taylor: 134 (2011-2014)
7. Zain Retherford: 126 (2014-2018)
8. Sashiro Abe: 125 (1993-1996)
T-9. Jeremy Hunter: 123 (1997-2000)
T-9: Clint Musser: 123 (1995-1999)

Penn State season pins

1. Josh Moore: 24 (2004)
2. Scott Moore: 22 (2003)
3. Cary Kolat: 20 (1994)
4. Bo Nickal: 18 (2019)
T-6. Zain Retherford: 17 (2017)
T-6. Bo Nickal: 17 (2017)
T-9. Josh Moore: 16 (2003)
T-9. David Taylor: 16 (2014)
T-9. Jason Nolf: 16 (2018)
T-9: Bo Nickal: 16 (2018)

Penn State career falls

1. Jason Nolf: 60 (2016-2019)
2. Bo Nickal: 59 (2016-2019)
T-3. David Taylor: 53 (2011-2014)
T-3. Josh Moore: 53 (2001-2004)
T-3. Zain Retherford: 53 (2014-2018)
6. Ed Ruth: 46 (2011-2014)
7. Mark Hall: 41 (2017-2020)
8. Quentin Wright: 38 (2009-2013)
9. Scott Moore: 35 (2000-2003)
10. Kerry McCoy: 34 (1993-1997)

Penn State wrestlers who were also Olympians

Penn State has had a total of six Olympians, two of whom have medaled. Penn State’s David Taylor became the first Nittany Lion alum to earn gold in 2020 when he defeated Hassan Yazdani of Iran 4-3.  Depending on your device, you may need to scroll the table using the bar at the bottom:

YEAR	ATHLETE	CITY	WEIGHT	MEDAL
1924	Katsutoshi Naito	Paris	56kg	Bronze
1988	Ken Chertow	Seoul	114.5 lb
1996	Sanshiro Abe	Atlanta	57kg
2000,2004	Kerry McCoy	Sydney, Athens	Super Heavyweight (120+kg, 130+kg)
2016	Frank Molinaro	Rio	65kg
2020	David Taylor	Tokyo	86kg	Gold

Penn State wrestling stats, records

Here are some of the most remarkable stats from the Penn State dynasty (as of June, 2020):

• From 2015-2019, the Nittany Lions held a 60-match win streak that inched them closer to Oklahoma State’s historic 76-match streak. Penn State’s winning run came to an end when Arizona State topped the Blue and White 19-15 in Tempe in November 2019. 
• Head coach Cael Sanderson has coached three Hodge winners in his 12 years at Penn State, two of whom have won the award twice. David Taylor was the first Nittany Lion to win the Hodge under Sanderson's leadership, and he took home the award in 2012 and 2014. Prior to Taylor, the only Penn State wrestler to win the Hodge was Kerry McCoy in 1997. Zain Retherford then won two Hodge Trophies in 2017 and 2018, while Bo Nickal won his Hodge Trophy in 2019. 

Penn State season records

Here's an overview of every Penn State wrestling season from 1908 to today: 

Season	Coach	Record	Conf. (Points)	NCAA (Points)
1908-1909	William E. Lewis	0-1-0	N/A	N/A
1909-1910	William E. Lewis	1-1-0	N/A	N/A
1910-1911	William E. Lewis	4-0-0	N/A	N/A
1911-1912	William E. Lewis	4-1-0	N/A	N/A
1912-1913	William E. Lewis	5-0-0	N/A	N/A
1913-1914	J.H. Shollenberger	5-0-0	N/A	N/A
1914-1915	William E. Lewis	4-1-0	N/A	N/A
1915-1916	William E. Lewis	5-1-0	N/A	N/A
1916-1917	William E. Lewis	6-0-0	N/A	N/A
1917-1918	H.C. Yerger	4-0-0	1st	N/A
1918-1919	H.C. Yerger	2-2-0	1st	N/A
1919-1920	William E. Lewis	5-1-0	1st	N/A
1920-1921	William E. Lewis	6-1-0	1st	N/A
1921-1922	D.D. Detar	5-1-0	2nd	N/A
1922-1923	D.D. Detar	4-3-0	2nd	N/A
1923-1924	D.D. Detar	5-0-1	1st	N/A
1924-1925	Ralph G. Leonard	7-0-0	1st	N/A
1925-1926	Ralph G. Leonard	6-1-0	3rd	N/A
1926-1927	Charlie Speidel	5-2-0	7th	N/A
1927-1928	Charlie Speidel	5-2-0	3rd	N/A
1928-1929	Charlie Speidel	6-0-0	2nd	DNP
1929-1930	Charlie Speidel	5-1-0	5th	DNP
1930-1931	Charlie Speidel	5-1-0	7th	N/A
1931-1932	Charlie Speidel	4-1-1	5th	N/A
1932-1933	Charlie Speidel	5-0-0	3rd	N/A
1933-1934	Charlie Speidel	4-1-1	2nd	N/A
1934-1935	Charlie Speidel	6-0-0	2nd	5th
1935-1936	Charlie Speidel	6-1-0	1st	N/A
1936-1937	Charlie Speidel	6-1-0	1st	N/A
1937-1938	Charlie Speidel	4-2-1	4th	DNP
1938-1939	Charlie Speidel	5-2-1	2nd	8th
1939-1940	Charlie Speidel	5-2-1	4th	DNP
1940-1941	Charlie Speidel	7-1-0	5th	13th
1941-1942	Charlie Speidel	7-1-0	1st	3rd
1942-1943	Paul Campbell	4-2-1	3rd	DNP
1943-1944	Paul Campbell	3-2-0	6th	DNP
1944-1945	Paul Campbell	3-2-0	5th	DNP
1945-1946	Paul Campbell	2-3-0	4th	9th
1946-1947	Charlie Speidel	3-4-0	6th	DNP
1947-1948	Charlie Speidel	2-3-2	7th	16th
1948-1949	Charlie Speidel	5-2-0	4th	12th
1949-1950	Charlie Speidel	7-1-0	3rd	9th
1950-1951	Charlie Speidel	8-0-0	1st	3rd
1951-1952	Charlie Speidel	9-0-0	1st	5th
1952-1953	Charlie Speidel	9-0-0	1st	1st
1953-1954	Charlie Speidel	6-2-0	2nd	3rd
1954-1955	Charlie Speidel	5-2-0	2nd	2nd
1955-1956	Charlie Speidel	7-1-0	2nd	5th
1956-1957	Charlie Speidel	6-2-1	1st	5th
1957-1958	Charlie Speidel	2-4-2	4th	14th
1958-1959	Charlie Speidel	5-3-0	2nd	25th
1959-1960	Charlie Speidel	9-0-1	1st	7th
1960-1961	Charlie Speidel	6-4-0	3rd	7th
1961-1962	Charlie Speidel	6-3-1	4th	16th
1962-1963	Charlie Speidel	5-4-0	5th	18th
1963-1964	Charlie Speidel	6-3-1	4th	8th
1964-1965	Bill Koll	6-4-1	4th	13th
1965-1966	Bill Koll	7-2-0	3rd	23rd
1966-1967	Bill Koll	8-0-1	3rd	22nd
1967-1968	Bill Koll	7-3-0	2nd	12th
1968-1969	Bill Koll	6-2-2	3rd	20th
1969-1970	Bill Koll	11-0-0	2nd	19th
1970-1971	Bill Koll	10-0-1	1st	4th
1971-1972	Bill Koll	12-0-0	2nd	8th
1972-1973	Bill Koll	11-1-0	1st	10th
1973-1974	Bill Koll	10-0-1	2nd	7th
1974-1975	Bill Koll	7-4-1	NA	10th
1975-1976	Bill Koll	10-2-0	1st	10th
1976-1977	Bill Koll	10-1-0	1st	18th
1977-1978	Bill Koll	13-2-0	1st	15th
1978-1979	Rich Lorenzo	2-11-0	6th	DNP
1979-1980	Rich Lorenzo	8-6-0	4th	52nd
1980-1981	Rich Lorenzo	11-6-1	3rd	6th
1981-1982	Rich Lorenzo	12-3-0	1st	14th
1982-1983	Rich Lorenzo	13-2-1	1st	7th
1983-1984	Rich Lorenzo	16-2-0	1st	3rd
1984-1985	Rich Lorenzo	10-6-0	1st	7th
1985-1986	Rich Lorenzo	14-2-1	1st	5th
1986-1987	Rich Lorenzo	18-1-1	1st	3rd
1987-1988	Rich Lorenzo	14-5-2	1st	5th
1988-1989	Rich Lorenzo	20-2-1	1st	10th
1989-1990	Rich Lorenzo	15-8-0	1st	6th
1990-1991	Rich Lorenzo	17-6-1	1st	3rd
1991-1992	Rich Lorenzo	18-4-1	1st	3rd
1992-1993	John Fritz	22-0-1	2nd	2nd
1993-1994	John Fritz	15-6-0	3rd	3rd
1994-1995	John Fritz	5-12-0	6th	5th
1995-1996	John Fritz	11-8-1	2nd	4th
1996-1997	John Fritz	16-4-0	4th	10th
1997-1998	John Fritz	18-3-0	2nd	4th
1998-1999	Troy Sunderland	12-5-0	3rd	4th
1999-2000	Troy Sunderland	6-11-0	8th	16th
2000-2001	Troy Sunderland	7-13-0	10th	25th
2001-2002	Troy Sunderland	6-12-0	6th	35th
2002-2003	Troy Sunderland	11-8-0	3rd	6th
2003-2004	Troy Sunderland	14-5-0	5th	12th
2004-2005	Troy Sunderland	10-10-0	7th	23rd
2005-2006	Troy Sunderland	13-4-0	4th	9th
2006-2007	Troy Sunderland	14-5-0	4th	11th
2007-2008	Troy Sunderland	14-5-0	7th	3rd
2008-2009	Troy Sunderland	8-12-2	7th	17th
2009-2010	Cael Sanderson	13-6-1	5th	9th
2010-2011	Cael Sanderson	17-1-1	1st	1st
2011-2012	Cael Sanderson	13-1-0	1st	1st
2012-2013	Cael Sanderson	13-1-0	1st	1st
2013-2014	Cael Sanderson	15-1-0	1st	1st
2014-2015	Cael Sanderson	11-4-0	5th	6th
2015-2016	Cael Sanderson	16-0-0	1st	1st
2016-2017	Cael Sanderson	14-0-0	2nd	1st
2017-2018	Cael Sanderson	14-0-0	2nd	1st
2018-2019	Cael Sanderson	14-0-0	1st	1st
2019-2020	Cael Sanderson	12-2-0	4th	Canceled
2020-2021	Cael Sanderson	6-0-0	2nd	2nd
2021-2022	Cael Sanderson	17-0-0	2nd	1st

Penn State wrestling championship breakdowns

Here is a closer look at all ten national championships with videos, photos, stats and analysis from each of Penn State's title runs: 

1953 ()

On their home turf in 1953, the Nittany Lions captured the first team title in program history behind individual titles from Hud Samson and top-four finishes from Dick Lemyre, Gerry Maurey, Don Frey and Joe Lemyre. The weight classes were different — with weights ranging from 115 to unlimited — and the brackets in this era were small — with the 115 pound bracket containing just 12 wrestlers for instance — but Penn State still found a way to win. Though the team would not capture another championship for another 58 years, this first title showed what was possible at Penn State. This is a program that would go on to have one of the most successful dynasties of the 21st century, but it all began with the 1953 squad. 

National Champions: 
Hud Samson (191 pounds)

All-Americans: 
Dick Lemyre (2nd, 130 pounds)
Gerry Maurey (3rd, 137 pounds)
Don Frey (3rd, 147 pounds)
Joe Lemyre (3rd, 167 pounds)

2011 ()

With one national champion and four additional All-Americans, Penn State captured the first title of the Cael Sanderson era, topping Cornell 107.5 to 93.5. Quentin Wright led the way for the Blue and White while freshman David Taylor and Ed Ruth both took second in their respective brackets. Ruth and Taylor would go on to become three and two-time national champions themselves, while 149-pound All-American Frank Molinaro would represent the United States in the Olympics in 20156. This was the beginning. Penn State was building. 

National champions: 
Quentin Wright (184 pounds)

All-Americans: 
Andrew Long (3rd, 133 pounds)
Frank Molinaro (2nd, 149 pounds)
David Taylor (2nd, 165 pounds)
Ed Ruth (3rd, 174 pounds)

2012 ()

The 2011-2012 season offered the first glimpse of the truly dominant history that was being written by Sanderson and his team. David Taylor's national title at 165 pounds not only helped the team with its second consecutive title, but Taylor's success also earned him Outstanding Wrestler honors at the national tournament and secured him his first Hodge Trophy. The David Taylor- Ed Ruth duo lifted this Penn State team to new heights during their four-year stretch in the lineup, and the added starpower of fellow national champion Frank Molinaro and future national champ Nico Megaludis and former national champ Quentin Wright further separated the Nittany Lions. Add in All-American Dylan Alton, and this team was special. 

National Champions: 
Frank Molinaro (149 pounds)
David Taylor (165 pounds)
Ed Ruth (174 pounds) 

All-Americans: 
Nico Megaludis (2nd, 125 pounds)
Dylan Alton (3rd, 157 pounds)
Quentin Wright (2nd, 184 pounds) 

2013 ()
 

Four points distinguished the Penn State Nittany Lions from national runner-up Oklahoma State in 2013. This year's title was close, but the full Penn State squad came together and, through bonus points and two individual titles, Sanderson once again coached his athletes to bring the national title back to State College. Ed Ruth and Quentin Wright headlined the performance with their individual titles while star David Taylor took second to four-time national champion Kyle Dake of Cornell. Nico Megaludis and Matt Brown also added runner-up finishes, showcasing the eliteness of this Penn State team. 

National champions: 
Ed Ruth (184 pounds)
Quentin Wright (197 pounds)

All-Americans: 
Nico Megaludis (2nd, 125 pounds)
David Taylor (2nd, 165 pounds)
Matt Brown (2nd, 174 pounds)

2014 (see full brackets)

David Taylor's bonus points and Ed Ruth's dominance elevated the Nittany Lions past the Minnesota Gophers by 4.5 points in 2014, marking Penn State's fourth consecutive title in the Cael Sanderson era. Putting seven athletes on the podium is no small feat, and Penn State's depth, as well as the dependable performances from its stars, as come to define this program in the 2010's. The team would go on to finish sixth the following year as Retherford  and Penn State's star true freshman at the time, Jason Nolf and Bo Nickal, all redshirted to set up another impressive run starting in 2016.

National Champions: 
David Taylor (165 pounds)
Ed Ruth (184 pounds)

All-Americans: 
Nico Megaludis (3rd, 125 pounds)
Zain Retherford (5th, 141 pounds)
James English (7th, 149 pounds)
Matt Brown (5th, 174 pounds)
Morgan McIntosh (7th, 197 pounds)

2016 ()

After finishing sixth the year before, Penn State once again rolled out its full A-squad and found itself back on top behind championship performances from Nico Megaludis and Zain Retherford. Jason Nolf and Bo Nickal, true freshman in 2016, also made a statement in their first NCAA tournament, finishing second at 157 pounds and 174 pounds, respectively. Jordan Conway earned his second All-American honor this season, while Morgan McIntosh picked up his third podium finish, adding big team points to the Nittany Lion total. Penn State would not lose another NCAA championship until 2021 when they were edged out by the Hawkeyes. 

National Champions: 
Nico Megaludis (125 pounds)
Zain Retherford (149 pounds)

All-Americans: 
Jordan Conaway (6th, 133 pounds) 
Jason Nolf (2nd, 149 pounds)
Bo Nickal (2nd, 174 pounds)
Morgan McIntosh (2nd, 197 pounds)

2017 ()

Five-for-five — that was Penn State’s record in the finals of the 2017 NCAA tournament. Zain Retherford, Jason Nolf, Vincenzo Joseph, Mark Hall and Bo Nickal all won their championship bouts, lifting the Nittany Lions over the Ohio State Buckeyes 146.5 to 110. Joseph and Hall, the only two freshmen in the lineup, showed no hesitation competing on the big stage for the first time in their careers, as Joseph pinned No.1-ranked Isiah Martinez, and Hall stopped eventual four-time All-American Bo Jordan. Redshirt sophomores Nolf and Nickal notched the first of what would be three titles each of those dominant wrestlers during their career, and junior Retherford also led with style, earning a tech in the finals that offered even more team points for the Blue and White. The event was a perfect night for the Nittany Lion, and it represented everything the team had become under Sanderson.  

NCAA Champions:
Zain Retherford (149 pounds)
Jason Nolf (157 pounds)
Vincenzo Joseph (165 pounds)
Mark Hall (174 pounds)
Bo Nickal (184 pounds)

All-Americans:
Nick Nevills (5th, 285 pounds)


2018 ()

In one of the Nittany Lions’ closer team races, Penn State’s 184-pound NCAA champion Bo Nickal iced the victory for his team in 2018 when he pinned 2017 NCAA champion Myles Martin in his championship bout, securing his second individual championship as well and sending his teammates into a frenzy. Nickal was one of four national champions that year including two-time Hodge Trophy winner Zain Retherford, and fellow two-time title-winners Jason Nolf and Vincenzo Joseph. The storyline going into the 2018 tournament was the potential threat of Ohio State to win it all. Penn State’s depth and star power, however, proved too much for the Buckeyes.  

NCAA Champions:
Zain Retherford (149 pounds)
Jason Nolf (157 pounds)
Vincenzo Joseph (165 pounds)
Bo Nickal (184 pounds)

All-Americans:
Nick Lee (5th, 141 pounds)
Mark Hall (2nd, 174 pounds)
Shakur Rasheed (7th, 197 pounds)
Nick Nevills (7th, 285 pounds)

2019 ()

The 2019 season marked the end of folkstyle, collegiate wrestling for Penn State legends Jason Nolf and Bo Nickal, but these two stars — who won their third titles in 2019 — went out on top. Nickal pinned three of his five NCAA championship opponents to finish the year with a 90% bonus rate, a result that would earn him the Hodge Trophy. Teammate Nolf put up similarly impressive statistics, as he pinned or teched three of his tournament opponents as well on the way to finishing his season with an 83.87% bonus rate. Add senior Anthony Cassar’s title to the mix, and the Lions were unbeatable. Former NCAA champions Vincenzo Joseph and Mark Hall both picked up runner-up honors, while All-Americans Nick Lee and Roman Bravo-Young finished on the podium in fifth and eighth, respectively. Both Lee and Bravo-Young would go on to pick up at least two titles on their own before the end of their Blue and White careers as well. 

NCAA Champions:
Jason Nolf (157 pounds)
Bo Nickal (197 pounds)
Anthony Cassar (285 pounds)

All-Americans:
Roman Bravo-Young (8th, 133 pounds)
Nick Lee (5th, 141 pounds)
Vincenzo Joseph (2nd, 165 pounds)
Mark Hall (2nd, 174 pounds)

2022 (see full brackets)

The Nittany Lions narrowly lost out on the team title in 2021 to the Iowa Hawkeyes, but they reloaded in 2022 and put five on top of the podium the following season to run away with another championship. Nick Lee, Roman Bravo-Young, Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks all earned their second titles in front of a packed Little Caesars Arena in Detroit while Cornell transfer Max Dean made his impact with the Blue and White known as he earned his first title in a competitive 197-pound bracket. With the exception of Lee, all of these champs returned in 2023 to set Penn State up for another national run. 

NCAA Champions:
Roman Bravo-Young (133 pounds)
Nick Lee (141 pounds)
Carter Starocci (174 pounds)
Aaron Brooks (184 pounds)
Max Dean (197 pounds)

All-Americans:
Greg Kerkvliet (7th, 285 pounds)