[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 73 (Monday, April 27, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H3097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
                       PENN STATE WRESTLING TEAM

  (Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate the Penn State wrestling team for winning the NCAA 
Division I wrestling tournament last month. This historic achievement 
marks the Nittany Lions' fifth consecutive title and Penn State's 13th 
team title over the last 15 seasons.
  The NCAA wrestling tournament, hosted in Cleveland, Ohio, saw the 
Lions qualify all 10 wrestlers for the 3-day event, with 7 wrestlers 
placing as top seeds.
  The team scored 181.5 points, breaking their own record of 177 
points, which they set last year.
  To conclude championship weekend, four Nittany Lions earned 
individual national titles. In addition, Mitchell Mesenbrink was named 
the 2026 NCAA Championship Outstanding Wrestler.
  Much of this success is a testament to the leadership of Head Coach 
Cael Sanderson, who has been with the team since 2010. Cael, a former 
collegiate wrestler and Olympic athlete, knows exactly what it takes to 
deliver a championship-level team. As the university's head coach for 
more than 10 years, Cael has delivered the team from strength to 
strength. Another accolade that the team can tout is winning the Big 
Ten championship for the fourth consecutive year.
  As a former high school wrestler myself and a Penn State alum, I love 
seeing the success that the Nittany Lions have had each year. Penn 
State wrestling brings together the student body, Penn State alum, and 
State College residents to watch an exciting evening of matches. There 
is nothing quite like a packed Bryce Jordan Center on a Saturday 
evening.
  I was a former wrestler at Bald Eagle Area High School under the 
leadership of Coach Dick Rhoades, and in 2015 I was honored to be 
recognized by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. The leadership and 
discipline that I learned during practice have stuck with me throughout 
my life.
  I know that all young men at Penn State will be able to take the 
lessons that they learn through wrestling and apply them to other 
aspects of their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, the athletes, the coaches, and the staff should all be 
proud of this amazing accomplishment, and I wish the team the best as 
they continue working towards their goals next season.

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