Big Ten Wrestling: Dominance on Display in the Latest Rankings

When it comes to college wrestling, the Big Ten dominates. The conference claimed the last 18 straight NCAA team championships and currently commands five of the top seven spots in the national dual rankings. 

Whether you're a die-hard fan tracking every takedown or just catching up before championship season, take a closer look at the Big Ten's numbers, the teams, and the dynasty that shows no signs of slowing down. 

 

In The Rankings

In the Intermat Dual Rankings, Big Ten teams currently make up five of the top seven spots, and eight of the top 15. The nation is led by No. 1 Penn State, who is currently 11-0 with eight wins by 40+ points. Ohio State (14-0) is No. 2, followed by No. 4 Iowa (9-3), No. 6 Nebraska (9-5), No. 7 Minnesota (8-4), No. 10 Illinois (9-4), No. 13 Michigan (7-2), and No. 15 Rutgers (8-5). 

The Big Ten features the top-ranked wrestlers in nine of the 10 weight classes nationally and boasts numerous top 10 contenders at each weight class, including 16 in the top three. The following are all No. 1 in their division, and four are national champions: 

• 125 – Luke Lilledahl (Penn State, defending Big Ten Champion) 
• 133 – Lucas Byrd (Illinois, defending NCAA and Big Ten Champion) 
• 141 – Jesse Mendez (Ohio State, 2x defending NCAA Champion) 
• 149 – Shayne Van Ness (Penn State, 2x NCAA third place) 
• 157 – Brandon Cannon (Ohio State, 2025 Big Ten runner-up) 
• 165 – Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State, defending NCAA Champion) 
• 174 – Levi Haines (Penn State, 3x defending Big Ten Champion, 2024 NCAA Champion at 157) 
• 184 – Rocco Welsh (Penn State, 2024 NCAA runner-up at OSU) 
• 197 – Josh Barr (Penn State, NCAA runner-up) 

 

Championship Caliber

Team title takeover 

When it comes to NCAA Championships, the Big Ten is virtually untouchable: 

• Big Ten schools have won the last 18 straight NCAA team championships. Penn State leads the way with 12 titles. Iowa has four, and Ohio State and Minnesota each have one. 
• The conference has also claimed 29 of the last 34 titles. Oklahoma State won the other five. 
• At the 2025 NCAA Championships, six Big Ten teams finished in the top 10: No. 1 Penn State, No. 2 Nebraska, No. 4 Iowa, No. 5 Minnesota, No. 5 Ohio State, No. 10 Illinois. 
• Five Big Ten teams also finished in the top 10 of the 2022, 2023, and 2024 NCAA Championships.  

Individual dominance 

At the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships, Big Ten wrestlers won seven of the 10 individual NCAA titles for six different schools. Plus... 

• Six additional student-athletes were runners-up. 
• The conference had 19 top-three finishers, with at least one in every weight class. 
• The Big Ten swept the podium in two weight classes. 
• Half of the championship bouts were Big Ten vs. Big Ten. 
• The NCAA recognized 37 All-Americans from the Big Ten. 

See more on the  Big Ten 2025 NCAA Championship results . 

And it wasn’t just 2025. In 2024? Half of the national champions were from Big Ten schools, and 11 of the 20 finalists were from the conference. In 2023, half of the championship match participants were from the Big Ten. In 2022, the conference won eight of the 10 individual NCAA titles... You get the point. 

 

Talk about Dynasty

Penn State Wrestling is arguably the greatest active dynasty in college sports... or perhaps in all of sports. 

• Penn State has won an NCAA-record 82 consecutive matches over the last six years. They haven’t lost since 2020. 
• Penn State hired head coach Cael Sanderson in 2009. Since then, they’ve won 12 of the last 14 NCAA Championships. 
• The Nittany Lions have won four consecutive titles three different times in that span. They’re seeking their fifth-straight in 2026. 
• PSU has had 13 individual champions over their current four-championship winning streak. 
• Penn State won its third consecutive Big Ten title last season behind five individual conference champions. The Nittany Lions have won nine overall. 

How do they sustain greatness? Head coach Cael Sanderson and company are just focused on what’s next. “We’ll just keep getting better each match. That’s the plan.” 

 

The Best vs. The Best

From the relentless dominance on the mat to the sheer volume of championships collected over the last two decades, the Big Ten has established itself as the premier conference in collegiate wrestling. Whether it’s the dynasty being built at Penn State or the depth of talent across every weight class, the level of competition here is simply unmatched. 

But what truly sets this conference apart isn't just the trophies; it's the atmosphere. With Big Ten teams accounting for seven of the top 10 spots in home attendance last season, the energy in these arenas is electric. The passion of the fanbase is a driving force behind this success, turning every dual into a must-see event. 

The best of the best will collide soon, and you won’t want to miss history in the making. The 2026 Big Ten Wrestling Championships will be at Penn State from March 7-8.  

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, February 3rd at 2:30 p.m. ET. Mark your calendars now—they're expected to sell out!  Get them here .

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