UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State wrestling’s Marcus Blaze and Shayne Van Ness swept Big Ten wrestling honors for the week ending December 21, 2025. Blaze was named B1G Freshman of the Week and Van Ness was honored as B1G Wrestler of the Week, earning Penn State’s second and third awards of the year.
Blaze continued his torrid start to the 2025-26 season with two more wins at the Journeymen Collegiate Duals on Saturday, Nov. 20, in Nashville. Blaze began his day with an 11-3 major decision over No. 29 Tristan Daugherty of North Dakota State in Penn State's 46-0 shutout victory over the Bison. He followed that up with the day's signature win. Blaze, leading 16-2 at the time, turned No. 6 Tyler Knox of Stanford to his back in the third period and pinned the Cardinal All-American at the 6:44 mark. Blaze's win highlighted Penn State's second shutout win of the day, a 42-0 victory over Stanford. Blaze improved to 10-0 on the year with four pins, four tech falls and two majors.
Van Ness continued his outstanding start to the 2025-26 season with two more victories at the Journeymen Collegiate Duals in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday, March 20. Van Ness picked up two big wins over ranked opponents to lead Penn State to two more dual victories. Van Ness opened the event by dominating No. 24 Max Petersen of North Dakota State, posting a 19-2 technical fall at the 5:16 mark. His win helped Penn State roll to a 46-0 shutout victory over the Bison. Van Ness followed that up with a strong 10-4 win over No. 14 Aden Valencia of Stanford in PSU's 42-0 shoutout victory over the Cardinal. Van Ness improved to 9-0 on the year with three pins, four techs and a major.
Penn State outscored its two opponents at the event 88-0. The Lions are now 6-0 on the season and the win over Stanford was Penn State's 77th straight, setting a new NCAA Division I record (breaking the prior mark set in 1951 by Oklahoma State).
Penn State returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, when it hosts Rutgers to begin Big Ten action. The Nittany Lions and Scarlet Knights battle at 4 p.m. in Rec Hall.
Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via X/twitter at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. The Family Clothesline is the presenting sponsor for the 2025-26 Nittany Lion wrestling season. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here.