Penn State sports fans could use some good news right about now, and as usual, the wrestling program has delivered on that end.
The program has received its first Class of 2027 commit courtesy of Gavin Mangano, the No. 1 recruit in the state of New York from his class and the No. 13 recruit in the country.
Mangano, a star at Shoreham-Wading River High School, is projected to be either a 149 or 157-pounder at the college level. If 157 ends up being his domain, it could create an interesting dynamic because of PJ Duke. Duke, the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2025 class, projects to be a generational talent for Penn State, and 157 is his projected class. Both are New York guys trained by Khaled Dassan of KDTraining center.
This past March, Mangano wouldn’t let a broken leg stop him from winning a state title.
“I was running on adrenaline at the time,” Mangano told the Riverhead News-Review. “Yeah, I was in pain, but honestly I wanted to win more than anything else. I was going to wrestle until I saw a bone sticking out of my body.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“As soon as I took him down, my lower right leg felt like jello,” Mangano said. “I knew something was wrong but I didn’t want to stop the match right there for an injury until there was a reset.”
After winning, Mangano was frustrated that he had to stop wrestling.
“I’m very disappointed and frustrated with the break I have to take now,” Mangano said. “The doctor told me it’s going to take like eight to 12 weeks to heal. But honestly after this week, I want to start working out again. Obviously not with my legs but with my upper body, so I can stay in some shape.”
