Head Coach Cael Sanderson and 184 lb starter Rocco Welsh met with the media ahead of the Thursday, Nov 12 2026-27 season debut dual vs Bloomsburg in Rec Hall.
Cael Sanderson – Head Coach
Roster Updates and Marcus Blaze Moving to 141 lbs
“Just a couple roster updates, just confirming Marcus Blaze is wrestling at 141 lbs. Felt like it was a good move for him personally and obviously really strong move for our team as well. And the other thing is we have two wrestlers this year that are going to take religious mission years. Will Henckel and Cole Mirasola, both just strong men
of faith and felt like it’d be a good opportunity for them to go out there and their personal decisions obviously go out there and share that with the world this year. So they won’t be on our roster either. So yeah, you’ll see that when the roster comes out, but yeah, couple updates. Anything else? Big match this week. We’re getting started. We’re excited. We’ll open up questions. Please raise your hand. I’ll call on you.” (00:00 – 00:57)
Reasoning and Timeframe for Marcus Blaze Moving to 141 lbs
“Working on the timing of when he comes back. Obviously Marcus [Blaze] is a guy who’s ready to go at any time. I think he’s just getting a little bit bigger and he could obviously, he’s very disciplined in his life, so he could do what he needed to do to get down to 133 lbs. But we feel like it was a good move for him. It just makes sense. Makes sense. He’ll be a good size 141 pounder. We’re not worried about his size. He can just continue to focus on getting better and competing hard and so yeah, but our guys obviously we allow them to make those decisions and what weight they want to go and where they’re going. But I don’t know if that answered your question. I’m thinking what you asked.” (01:08 – 01:54)
Was Marcus Blaze Cutting Weight to Reach 133 lbs?
“He’s just very disciplined. So the way he would look cutting weight versus somebody else or the way he competes might be different than somebody else. So I think he could live a lifestyle to go 133 lbs, he could live a lifestyle to go 141 lbs. And I think in the long-term move as a guy that’s planning on wrestling 65 kg and with this upcoming Olympic year, the move up makes a lot of sense for him.” (02:01 – 02:31)
Status of Masanosuke Ono for Thursday’s Match and Weight Class
“Possibly. Yeah, possibly. We still haven’t really set who’s wrestling yet. And we’re getting close, so we’re going to have to make those decisions, but yeah, he was wrestling 133 lbs. Yeah.” (02:36 – 02:51)
Potential Eligibility and Status of Levi Haines Following Court Ruling
“I don’t know. I don’t really understand that whole process. I don’t get how some kids in some states and some teams and some sports are getting that year and some aren’t. And I haven’t followed it as closely as maybe I should. Obviously that’s something you would hope the NCAA would have the ability to enforce, right? It doesn’t make a lot of sense to give some kids the year and some kids don’t give them the year. But yeah, I think we’re kind of trying to decide how we proceed from here. But yeah, we find stuff out the same time you guys do. I actually heard from my wife, so I was like, ‘Oh, okay. Well, yeah, we’ll continue to move forward.’ Levi [Haines] is obviously a tremendous leader and you see the way he approaches competition and he’s just a guy you want him around as long as you can have him. Of course, he’s part of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, just won a world championship in very impressive fashion. So he’s going to be around the program either way, but as far as, do you pursue an individual case? Sounds like that would be the next step, which is just a sad thing, right, that every individual around the country has to pursue. So I don’t really understand or get it how we’re in this. I guess you kind of get it, but it’s kind of weird, unfortunate, but we’re trying to decide with him what the next step would be.” (03:02 – 04:33)
Lineup Plans for Nate Desmond, Mitchell Mesenbrink, and PJ Duke
“Yeah, I think it’s pretty accurate from what people are expecting. PJ [Duke] would move up and Mitchell [Mesenbrink] would be moving up. That’s their plan. If Levi [Haines] comes back, that actually makes things more complicated, but he’s just a kid, you’re willing to just work with it and you deal with it and you treat every kid like they’re your own. So, but as a team, yeah. We’ve got a pretty solid lineup. Oh, it’d be [Nate] Desmond and Masa [Ono] would be the two front runners there. Obviously, and then Dez has been showing he can wrestle any weight. He’s just a beast all the way around. So, but yeah, I think right now 133 lbs.” (04:47 – 05:34)
Impact of Assistant Coach Nick Lee on Marcus Blaze
“Well, Nick Lee is just a great competitor, couple time national champ. I think a four-time All-American. Just a great mindset, extreme team mentality, that’s why we obviously put him on our staff. He’s making everyone around him better. And so, Marcus is just one of those guys that benefits from having Nick Lee in the room, but Nick Lee’s been a tremendous addition to our staff.” (05:44 – 06:17)
Confidence in Connor Mirasola Stepping in at Heavyweight
“Well, Connor’s been making, not trying. There’s a difference between trying and doing. He’s just doing. He’s made the transition to heavyweight already. He’s big and strong. I’m actually really excited probably like everyone else to see him compete at heavyweight. He did wrestle last spring. I believe he won the University or U23 nationals. So he can wrestle. But he’s put a lot of time and effort into getting bigger. He’s going to look a little different when you see him probably, but he’s actually bigger than Cole right now. So, we try to get those guys to compete with each other in a good way. And they’re twin brothers, so obviously they don’t need any help there. But no, Cole [Mirasola] he’ll be missed. He’ll be missed. But I think it’s a great opportunity for him and Will, it’s a year they can grow and go share their faith and get out and they got to travel and go places and both of the churches that they go to provide those opportunities. So it’s actually a pretty cool thing. But yeah, Connor [Mirasola] is ready to go. He’s tough. He’s a good wrestler and you’ve seen him compete so we’re excited for him. Have a lot of confidence in him.” (06:34 – 07:47)
Current Weight of Connor Mirasola
“I have a pretty good idea, but I don’t feel like that’s my place to share that.” (07:50 – 08:05)
Relationship with Mark Hall and Seeing Him Evolve as a Coach
“Well, I think Mark’s obviously a tremendous wrestler and just technically very good and then he’s got a big heart. He cares about his guys and so it’s good to see him doing well. I think he jumped into coaching early and knew that’s what he wanted to do. But we’re not texting all the time or anything. Occasionally, but we have great love and respect for Coach Mark [Hall] and I’m sure he’s doing a fantastic job down there. He knows wrestling. He’s competed at the highest level and brings a lot of experience obviously to the table.” (08:10 – 08:50)
Masanosuke Ono’s Transition to Folkstyle Wrestling
“Well, making a transition from freestyle to folkstyle is a tough transition. That’s why you haven’t seen it a whole lot, and in our sport also, a lot of the best countries in wrestling don’t speak English either, right? So, I think part of the work for him has been going to class and doing well. He’s had to put in a lot of time in class, but he’s gotten A’s and he’s worked really hard, but he’s put a lot of time in. But no, he’s a great wrestler. He’s put in a lot of effort and focus on his folkstyle wrestling. He can wrestle folkstyle. I don’t see him get taken down too much, and he’s wrestling really good guys, obviously. But he’s a very humble guy and very coachable. Just very grateful. So, he’s very like-minded, fits in our program really well.” (09:15 – 10:13)
Masanosuke Ono’s Growth in Overcoming the Language Barrier
“Well, I think it just shows his desire and his passion and his willingness to work. He wants to be an NCAA champion. That’s his goal and yeah the wrestling of course there’s incredible wrestlers at every weight in the NCAA, but I think the biggest challenge for him to start was the language barrier and being able to pass his classes. There’s just no way you can take shortcuts in there and he didn’t. He’s going to class and then he’s almost going to class all over again to have an interpreter kind of tell him what’s going on and explaining everything to him. So, he’s put a lot of time into it, but his English has improved really drastically obviously. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. So, yeah, I think it just shows his commitment, the type of person he is. He’s had an interest in folkstyle and like I said you don’t see a lot of international wrestlers that come in and do well in folkstyle. It’s just tough to do. Freestyle is different. Scoring points is quick exposure. If you get taken down, you lay there 15 seconds and you get a free restart. Folkstyle is, I love folkstyle. It’s just a lot different sport. So it’s a tough adjustment going from folkstyle to freestyle. Our RTCs I think are making that a little easier for our guys across the country and at a younger age. But freestyle to folkstyle takes a lot of work and commitment. He works every day. He’s a worker and he listens. He’s coachable and it’s the same all aspects of his life. So, but yeah, he doesn’t, I don’t see him get taken down too much in practice.” (10:35 – 12:41)
Progress of 2026 Class Members Jayden James, Elijah Brown, and Sam Herring
“Yeah, both have a ton of potential. Sam was actually over at the World Championships and of course if you don’t have everything in order, your school, your academics, your life in order, you can’t take two weeks and, but he was Zain’s [Retherford] training partner over there. Did a great job. So, he’s a little bit behind on getting started. But he’s got a lot of talent, loves the sport. And again, just a really outstanding human being. So, he’s going to do really well. And, yeah, Elijah, the same thing. He’s got to put some weight on or he’s putting some weight on, but he’s got the frame. He’s tall. Very athletic, very tough on the mat. If you follow him coming up through the PA state and what he’s done there. So, yeah, he has a ton of potential. The sky’s really the limit. So, and I think that’s a great thing about our sport is it’s really up to you to take advantage of all the opportunity and the resources we have around here and see how good you can or how great you can get, I’d say.” (12:52 – 14:00)
Masanosuke Ono’s Olympic Aspirations and the Japanese Team Process
“Yeah, that’s one of the challenges for him and the changes in the NCAA eligibility probably affect him more than anybody because of their Olympic process and the timing and they establish their team a lot earlier, right? And he would be making the cut down to 57 which hasn’t been an easy thing for him to do. But he’s a resilient guy and yeah, he’s going to make the best of whatever comes and that’s what he’s doing right now. And so yeah, it was weird when rules change kind of midstream and plans are made in so many different ways. But he was probably affected more than anybody by that and he’s just kept a great attitude and he’s just, whatever comes we’ll love it and move forward.” (14:18 – 15:13)
Nittany Lion Wrestling Club’s Performance at the World Championships
“Yeah, I think the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club had a really great year. Six for six or five for five. Was it six for six? [Reporter: Roman Bravo Young as well.] Yeah. Yeah. Good. I’d rather exaggerate it than underdo it, but no, the guys wrestled great and I think we have other guys in our room that could have won medals if they’re in the tournament. That’s just the way that it goes. A handful of them actually. And freestyle is a tough sport, right? The referees have a ton of power and control in the matches and it’s kind of a more international, almost corrupt kind of system. So to get in there and win medals, it’s tough. You got to wrestle great. And the guys did a really good job. Really happy for all of them. I think a couple of them were obviously a second away from even placing higher. So, but yeah, I think it’s just a really outstanding group of people right now. I think the program I was saying this last year, but with all the rule changes and all the craziness in college sports and college wrestling, our foundation is strong and it’s built on correct principles. And when you have that kind of a base, we’re just going to keep getting stronger and better. Time for a couple more.” (15:30 – 16:57)
Nick Lee Cornering Roman Bravo-Young at the World Championships
“Yeah, it was really cool. Obviously Roman [Bravo-Young] is incredibly tough and he’s worked really hard. He’s been very disciplined to get down to that weight class. But yeah, it was cool to see Coach Nick there and he was Mexico’s coach, Roman’s coach. But yeah, it was after Roman made the finals, you could tell he beat I think the reigning world champion to do that and yeah, it was pretty special. It was really cool to see him have that success and I think he talked about it but he’s gone through a lot and he’s overcome a lot in his life. He’s just a really incredible story of just determination, perseverance and just work. He works like those guys work. All those guys, all six of the guys that have won medals, they work every day. They work and they’re coachable and they do the little things that make the difference. So there’s not a lot of secrets in success, of course, but you can do all the little things and still not win and find the success you want. So, it’s good to see and we’re happy for them and obviously really happy for Roman. It’s a heck of an accomplishment.” (17:03 – 18:14)
Decision Process for Coaches in Corners at International Events
“I think we just try to do the best we can to cover all of our bases. And it’s a little tougher when you have five guys on Team USA and then it’s a little like you’re there with them, but you’re also USA and then you got Team Mexico and we’re working together and but yeah, I’m obviously Team Roman. Our guys are our guys and we’re there for them. But yeah, it’s just trying to figure out how to make sure everybody gets what they need and but we all are there working closely together.” (18:16 – 18:51)
Candidates Competing at 141 lbs Before Marcus Blaze’s Return
“Well, we have the middleweights you generally have several tough candidates that are chomping at the bit to wrestle. So, we have a few guys there that would love the green light to kind of step out there and compete.” (19:03 – 19:11)
Rocco Welsh – 184 lbs
Preparing for the Start of the Season
“Yeah, pretty similar week. Just practice. We did get some hard goes in today. Just get the body feeling good for Thursday and Sunday. Over the last couple weeks, just really been focusing on my top and finishing and stuff like that. Really just focused out focused positions. So yeah, that’s been it.” (00:00 – 00:47)
Importance of Multiple Weigh-Ins Early in the Season
“Yeah, I think it’s super important. I mean obviously our coaches are the best. I feel they always plan out our schedules the way that they think is best for us in the long term. I think it’s super important to be able to make weight on a Thursday at home and then travel far to Oklahoma and make weight again on the road and stuff. So, that’s all important stuff so we can accomplish our goals at the end of the year.” (00:47 – 01:31)
Connor Mirasola Moving to Heavyweight
“Yeah, those two are pretty funny. Cole [Mirasola] and Connor [Mirasola], they’re always competing and stuff. So, it’s pretty cool now. They’re both heavyweights and they’re both competing on who’s getting bigger and stuff. So, I think it’s a healthy competition where they’re both pushing each other and they’re getting pretty big. So, I’m excited to see them at heavyweight.” (01:31 – 02:01)
Takeaways From First Year at Penn State
“Yeah, just being at Penn State, it’s obviously different than anywhere else really in the country with the amount of fans here. The expectations and a lot of things that come with being a part of Penn State wrestling. So, I feel a lot more comfortable now. Got the hang of things last year and had a decent season and just really looking to build on that and perform to my potential.” (02:01 – 02:38)
Wrestling with Mitchell Mesenbrink at a Closer Weight
“Yeah, actually my first ever practice at Penn State when I transferred was with Mitchell [Mesenbrink]. So we’ve kind of always went together a lot and he’s obviously a great partner, great person to push you. It’s a lot easier now that he’s almost my size. Still a little smaller, but it’s definitely a lot easier for us to go. During season when he was 165 lbs, I’m 184 lbs. That’s a big difference. But now that he’s just one weight class away, we can probably wrestle throughout the season and stuff, which is good.” (02:38 – 03:20)
Learning From Mitchell Mesenbrink’s Skill Set and Mindset
“Yeah, I really think it’s mainly his mindset. Everybody knows how to shoot and snap people down and sprawl and stuff. I really think it’s pretty impressive what he can do. He kind of just turns his mind off and just goes. No fear, nothing, just faith, and so I take that away from him a lot. That’s what I’m trying to do. No fear, just go ahead straightforward, and he’s not scared to get tired and yeah, he just wrestles hard no matter what. And I think I can learn a lot from him and I have already.” (03:20 – 04:05)
Reality of Penn State Wrestling Versus Outside Perception
“I think there’s a lot of different perspectives. Being at another Big Ten school, I remember just hearing a lot of negative things and stuff and when I got here it was completely not like that. This is the best place that you can be. Everyone’s great people here and I’m not just saying it, it’s really the truth. And they really care about you as a person and more so than just as an athlete. So, they’re always making sure we’re good with everything and it’s just really easy to get better here because there’s no pressure on us. We’re just having fun and everyone’s just trying to get better. So, it’s really an easy environment to get better and reach your goals.” (04:05 – 05:00)
Looking Forward to Upcoming Competitions
“Yeah, I really love competing. All summer it’s just been a lot of training and wrestling the same guys. So now it’s really exciting whenever you get the chance to wrestle competition and not your teammates. And especially when there’s fans here and stuff like that. So, that’s really what I’m looking forward to. There’s really nothing like wrestling in Rec Hall or the Bryce Jordan Center, either one. They’re both awesome. And the All-Star Classic will be cool, too. So, there’s a lot of exciting things coming up. Just mainly excited to compete against other guys besides my teammates.” (05:00 – 05:54)
Focus on Pinning Opponents
“Yeah, I’ve never really been a big pinner my whole life, mainly just takedowns and stuff, but I’ve worked on a lot of top this year and even transitioning from takedowns to turns and stuff. So, yeah, I’m looking to pin some people though, for sure.” (05:54 – 06:16)
Participating in the All-Star Classic
“I really like wrestling just really good competition and I think it’s important for me to wrestle a tough opponent right away, right at the beginning of the season and try to fix the things I need to fix going forward. He’s a great opponent so yeah, I think it’s important to wrestle a tough guy and then just keep building.” (06:16 – 06:46)
Peaking at the Right Time for NCAAs
“Yeah. I mean that is really the most important thing. The whole season matters obviously for seeding and obviously just because you want to win, but the most important thing is peaking like you said for Big Tens and NCAAs. I think if you’re just doing the right things all season, you’re going to bed on time, waking up on time, you’re eating the right things, you’re just really being consistent with all the things besides wrestling. Wrestling is a big part, the practice and stuff, but it’s a full 24-hour thing. And I think the guys that do that, it really pays off in the end. If you’ve taken shortcuts and cut corners and stuff, it’s going to affect you late in the season, injuries and stuff like that.” (06:46 – 07:39)
Preparation from Tournaments Like the Black Knight Invitational
“Yeah, I’m not really sure how it compares to NCAAs. I mean, obviously the competition is not the same. But we’re just so prepared for NCAAs because of the guys we’re wrestling every day in the room. But it is definitely good to get out there, make weight, compete. It might be four or five matches in a day, so your body will be pretty sore and stuff. So yeah, it is important though for NCAAs, but I think with or without it, we would still do what we do at NCAAs just because of the coaches and the practice partners and stuff like that.” (07:39 – 08:24)
The Legacy of the 184-Pound Weight Class at Penn State
“Yeah. I never thought about it in a way of comparing myself, but I’ve thought about it in a way of that’s where I want to be. I want to be at Penn State because they develop the best wrestlers all around, but specifically 184 lbs, 174 lbs, 197 lbs. Just around my weight class, they make the best guys in the world. So, that’s my goal to be the best in the world, and I’m at the best place for it.” (08:24 – 09:06)
Impressions of Masanosuke Ono’s Transition
“Yeah, I think it shows a lot about him as a person because he probably had everything made in Japan, being a world champion, young, his whole family’s there and stuff. So, it’s pretty impressive what he’s done moving here, learning a new language. I don’t think he has a driver’s license or anything really. So, everything’s different really and he’s just doing it. So, I think that’s pretty crazy. I don’t know how many times that’s been done. So, he’s a beast. I love Masa [Ono]. So, I’m excited to see him compete and stuff. Yeah.” (09:06 – 09:59)
