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.

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

Penn State Wrestling Star Sounds Off on Mitchell Messenbrink Olympic Trials Cheap Shot

Chris SnyderMitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State Wrestling, , ,

Unfortunately one of the biggest stories of the Day 1 of the US Olympic Wrestling Trials was what happened after a whistle had blown, involving Penn State Wrestling star Mitchell Mesenbrink.

And look, I’ll be the first to say that I think this was a bit overblown.

Aaron Brooks, Penn State Wrestling, USA Olympic Wrestling Trials
Aaron Brooks of Penn State wrestles Trent Hidlay of North Carolina State(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Because in the end all of these athletes are the ultimate competitors and sometimes the heat of the moment gets to them.

Late in his quarterfinals match against Jordan Burroughs, Mitchell Mesenbrink was trailing 8-3.

And if Nittany Lions fans know anything about Mesenbrink, it’s that he’s always going to fight until the very end and give it everything he has. However the following unfolded.

https://twitter.com/CallTheHuddle/status/1781461028187902347

<< BUY PENN STATE GEAR >>

What Led to Cheap Shot

 

As you can see in the first video, Burroughs was taking his sweet time getting back to several resets.

Clearly, he was trying to use every second to his advantage to catch his breath in between wrestling. But that’s exactly what Mesenbrink was doing in the second video. He was using every second in the match to try and score. Plain and simple.

Is it possible Mitchell didn’t hear the whistle? Sure. There’s no way he heard the final whistle and kept on trying. That’s just not who he is.

Well obviously Burroughs took exception to this and he did what no other Penn State or Nittany Lion Wrestling Club wrestler would do.

These things happen, however, the Bryce Jordan Center crowd didn’t let Jordan’s slip-in judge go. Not at all.

The boos rained down from the packed house for what seemed like several minutes. And I can’t really blame them. But whether or not you like it, these things happen. Mitchell, always being the consummate decent human being, was quick to say he was fine with it and let’s move on. Good on him and it’s a true testament to what the Nittany Lions really have with him in the wrestling room.

As for Jordan Burroughs, well let’s just say Jason Nolf wasn’t going to let him get off easy.

https://twitter.com/pennstateWREST/status/1781498950962298881

But the drama in the BJC didn’t end there. As Burroughs was walking off the floor this happened.

https://twitter.com/CPyles8/status/1781501158499955149

Penn State Wrestling Star Carter Starocci Sounds Off on Jordan Burroughs

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

It didn’t take long for Nittany Lions standout Carter Starocci to come to the defense of his Penn State Wrestling teammate.

Starrocci didn’t hold back, on Burroughs, with scathing comments in the event’s aftermath.

“I’d like to see him do something like that to me or (Aaron) Brooks,” Starrocci told reporters. And see how tough he is.”

Brooks later went on to take down Penn State legend David Taylor to punch his ticket to Paris and earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.

Even if events unfold on the mat that wrestling fans sometimes don’t like, this is something that should never happen. Period.

MORE: Projecting PSU Wrestling’s 2024-2025 Starting Lineup

A note to our readers; If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may receive a commission
Chris Snyder
Follow Chris
Latest posts by Chris Snyder (see all)
Scroll to top