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NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Penn State Wrestling: Levi Haines Breaks Through To Crown Himself a Champion

Penn State Wrestling

Levi Haines dominates the field at 157 pounds and cements himself an NCAA Champion for Penn State Wrestling.

Last year was supposed to be a redshirt year for Levi Haines. But after Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions coaching staff saw what he could do on the wrestling mat, his shirt was burned as fast as possible.

Penn State Wrestling
The 2024 Penn State Wrestling Team. (Photo by Scott Pilutik, For NittanyCentral)

Levi Haines’ Road to Breakout National Champion for Penn State Wrestling

As a true freshman Haines continued to turn heads during the season. And this culminated when he took out Peyton Robb in the finals in last year’s Big Ten Championships.

Haines then plowed his way through the 157 bracket and found himself in the finals against sixth-year senior Austin O’Connor.

But that wasn’t good enough for Levi Haines this year. And following his 5-0 win over Arizona State’s Jacori Teemer, Haines is now an NCAA champion!

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With the win, Levi compiled a perfect 23-0 record, he won his second straight Big Ten title, and he’s now a two-time All-American. Those are some amazing accolades considering this was supposed to be his first year on the mat.

The future looks stunningly bright for Haines as he seemingly improves, not just year by year, but from match to match. His run last year was something legends are made of.

The Penn State faithful know all too well as they’ve seen their fair share of legends come and go from Happy Valley. And if Levi Haines can continue to improve, there’s no doubt his name will be uttered along those other greats when his Penn State career comes to a close.

Penn State Wrestling
Penn State Wrestling shutout Lehigh to open the 2023 season (Photo by Chris Snyder for NittanyCentral)

MORE: Penn State’s Path to Third Consecutive National Championship Crown

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Penn State Wrestling: Levi Haines Breaks Through To Crown Himself a Champion
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