STATE COLLEGE — The Penn State Nittany Lions will host the Oklahoma Sooners in the season opener for coach Cael Sanderson’s squad. The dual meet is set for Friday at 6 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center.

Penn State is coming off a successful 2024-25 season that saw the team win its 12th NCAA National Championship under Sanderson and 13th overall last year in Philadelphia. The Nittany Lions went 15-0 in dual meets, 8-0 in Big Ten duals to win their 10th Big Ten regular-season championship, won the 2025 Big Ten Championship and rolled to a record setting NCAA title to close out the season.

The Nittany Lions return nine All-Americans for the 2025-26 campaign, seven from last year’s title winning team and two who are coming off redshirt seasons.

Penn State features a number of wrestlers ranked by InterMat. Luke Lilledahl checks in at No. 3 at 125. Aaron Nagao is No. 11 at 141. Shayne Van Ness is No. 1 at 149. Mitchell Mesenbrink is No. 1 at 165. Levi Haines is No. 1 at 174. Rocco Welsh is No. 2 at 184. Josh Barr is No. 1 at 197. Cole Mirasola is No. 11 at 285.

Oklahoma opened its season at the Tiger Style Invitational tournament last weekend. The Sooners picked up two individual champions at the event with DJ Parker winning at 197 and Juan Mora at 285. Oklahoma is helmed by head coach Roger Kish. The Sooners went 8-4 in dual meets last year, 4-4 in conference action. Oklahoma placed 38th at national last year.

The Sooners feature eight ranked wrestlers. Beric Jordan is No. 29 at 125, Jack Gioffre is No. 11 at 149. Rafael Hipolito is No. 7 at 157. Peyton Kellar is No. 17 at 165. Carter Schubert is No. 33 at 174. Brian Soldano is No. 13 at 184. DJ Parker is No. 8 at 197. Juan Mora is No. 24 at 285.