Mitchell Mesenbrink shared his thoughts on the material rewards that come along with winning tournaments. Ahead of his next NCAA wrestling bout, he shed light on how personal fulfillment and joy matter more than anything.
Mesenbrink just returned from scoring an impressive win at the Big Ten Championships, where he secured a major decision against Iowa’s Michael Caliendo. The two-time All-American now sets his sights on the upcoming NCAA championships.
In an interview with Fox43, Mesenbrink emphasized putting wins into perspective and highlighted the importance of just having fun.
“I think beforehand when you put things into perspective on what they really mean, no win and no amount of trophies or money or whatever, so futile as a medal is gonna fulfill you, so I think it’s just putting that into perspective… and I just wanna have fun,” he said.
Mesenbrink, while appreciating the display of the trophy in his camp, made it clear that it didn’t add any real satisfaction.
“It’s cool to grow up with them, and you walk into the AWA every day and see the Dan Hodge trophy right there, but at the end of the day, that trophy is just collecting dust,” he said.
He also spoke about the philosophy of his coach, Cael Sanderson, which highlights how the greatest NCAA champions don’t live off their championships.
He further stated how he rejects the idea of looking back on a life unfulfilled and devoid of joy. He also mentioned his gratitude toward his friends and family and how much he enjoys spending time with them.
Mitchell Mesenbrink Lauds Penn State Wrestling Program For Building a Sustainable Culture
Mesenbrink joined Penn State’s Nittany Lions back in April 2023 and has since made a significant impact. He credited the university’s elite wrestling program, which has produced multiple champions across various tournaments and made it possible for wrestlers to develop over time.
“I am very grateful to be part of Penn State because I know, as humbly as I can say, the 10 guys that I do get to wrestle for the Nittany Lions, it’s coveted and a tough spot to be in, and I think that it just comes with gratitude,” he said.
He also applauded his fellow teammates, PJ Duke and Marcus Blaze, for their effortless performance in the previous conference match and believes that they could bring the same zeal in the upcoming championship game.
He also praised the coaching system, specifically Cael Sanderson and all the other coaches, and considers them to be the greatest college and RTC coaches of all time.
Seven wrestlers from Penn State, including Mesenbrink, have earned the No. 1 seed for the upcoming NCAA Division 1 Men’s Wrestling Championships. They will compete in the NCAA championships, scheduled to take place from March 19 to 21 at the Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Read more:
https://collegefootballnetwork.com/olympics/ncaa-wrestling-2026-seeds-brackets-schedule/
https://collegefootballnetwork.com/olympics/penn-ohio-oklahoma-ncaa-wrestling-championships/
https://collegefootballnetwork.com/olympics/cael-sanderson-penn-state-team-different-big-ten-win/
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