The Black Knight Invite goes down Sunday, November 24th on the Army’s campus in West Point, New York. You can find the entries HERE and preseeds HERE. Below are the three main reasons you can’t miss this event if you’re a Penn State fan! 

Penn State Black Knight Invite Entries

125: Luke Lilledahl and Kurt McHenry

133: Gary Steen, Kyison Garcia, and Timothy Levine

141: Beau Bartlett and Cael Nasdeo

149: Shayne Van Ness and Connor Pierce

157: Tyler Kasak and Alex Facundo

165: Mitchell Mesenbrink and Dunbar Aurelius

174: Levi Haines and Matt Lee

184: Carter Starocci and Zak Ryder

197: Lucas Cochran, Josh Barr, and Connor Mirasola

285: Greg Kerkvliet and Cole Mirasola

Who Gets The Starting Spot At 157?

Most fans probably did not anticipate a scenario where 2024 3rd place finisher Tyler Kasak wasn’t in the starting lineup, wasn’t redshirting, and wasn’t injured. However, after rumors that Alex Facundo defeated Kasak in a closed-to-public wrestle-off, it sounds like that is a possibility. 

I don’t believe the result of this tournament alone will determine who starts in March, but it will be a data point that gets used and could set the tone for the rest of the season. Kasak is the #1 seed and Facundo is the #2 seed, so they won’t hypothetically hit until the finals. 

Listen to Cael Sanderson talk about the 157 situation below.

Who Get's The Starting Spot at 197?

Connor Mirasola will likely redshirt, but Josh Barr and Lucas Cochran will be in a fight for the starting spot. Similar to 157, I don't think this will determine the starter for the rest of the season. However, it will no doubt be a notch in the winner's belt moving forward. Cochran is a fourth year guy who has wrestled well at times for the Nittany Lions. Such as when he bumped up to heavyweight for a dual with Rutgers last season and beat All-American Yaraslau Slavikouski. However, Barr is a highly touted recruit who went undefeated last season as a redshirt and made the U20 World Team this offseason. 

Our First Look At Luke Lilledahl

True freshman Luke Lilledahl took the mat at 125 lbs for the Nittany Lions in their opening dual against Drexel but received a forfeit. He has five events to wrestle attached before his redshirt would have to be pulled, but it looks like he will be the starter. His top competition will be teammate Kurt McHenry and Army’s Charlie    Farmer. Farmer 

How Good Is Zack Ryder?

A 3X age-level World medalist, Zack Ryder was the #5 overall recruit in the class of 2024. A true freshman in the same weight as Carter Starocci, we won’t see him in the starting lineup bearing injury. However, he comes into his collegiate career with high expectations. Rutgers 2X national qualifier Brian Soldano will also be in the bracket.