University Park, Pa. — Suited up in a navy-blue singlet that's become more of a second skin, Vincenzo Joseph ritually takes a sip of black coffee then storms the mat to appease the chants of a rowdy Rec Hall crowd.
The three-time All-American has been dominating the 165-pound weight class since his freshman year, where he took home a NCAA title that solidified his position for the Nittany Lions. Consistency has never been an issue for Joseph, who brought home another title his sophomore season. But the following year, the 165-pounder took a hard fall against Virginia Tech's Mekhi Lewis, sustaining his first and only loss of his junior season at the biggest tournament of the year.
As March quickly approaches, Joseph has his eye on one thing: avenging his loss to round out a successful senior season.
"Losing definitely changed my mindset over the summer and the beginning of the year to be more prepared," Joseph said. "And I feel like I'm more prepared now than I have been any other year."
But for Joseph, the hunt for a third national title started years before he even stepped foot in Rec Hall. The senior spent years training in Pittsburgh to reach Penn State– but the journey wasn't always easy.
"I just had a love-hate relationship with it growing up. It's a tough sport with weight cutting and stuff like that. We'd have hard practices all the time, which made me not want to go to practice at all," Joseph said. "But once I let myself enjoy it more, it got easier and everything started to fall into place."
All of the hardships a young Joseph faced soon paid off as he took home back-to-back Pennsylvania state titles during his last two years of high school. Only after stepping on the first-place podium his junior year did Joseph finally consider a future in collegiate wrestling.
Now sporting a Nittany Lion singlet, the 165-pounder finds himself less worried about the pressures to individually compete, but instead focuses on spearheading the entire team to victory.
"Our team's looking good right now and that's always the main goal. I'm just being the best I can be," Joseph said. "Whether that be small things off the mat or just trying to be a good example for the younger guys, I'm just always doing what I can to help out."
Whether he's sipping on a steaming cup of pre-match coffee with Nick Lee or inviting the guys over for late-night hangouts, Joseph is relishing in his last few weeks with the team.
"The thing about our team is that we're pretty high intensity no matter what we're doing," the senior said. "Whenever we have all the guys together and are just hanging out – it's the stuff like that I'll remember and cherish forever."
Even though his time under the Rec Hall spotlight is coming to a close, Joseph doesn't think he'll stray too far. The senior hopes to join fellow graduated teammates Jason Nolf and Bo Nickal in the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, where he'd train freestyle to compete in international wrestling tournaments.
But before he can take his talents abroad, Joseph has his sights set on victory – the type that comes in the form of a national ring.
"I want the team to be 2020 national champs this year. That's the goal. And obviously I want to win a title for myself because it would mean a lot to me this year," Joseph said. "But closing it out with a team title would be huge and would complete my college experience."