CLEVELAND — Levi Haines closed one of the most accomplished careers in Penn State wrestling history the way champions do: with another NCAA National Championship.
The Biglerville, Pennsylvania nativefinished off an undefeated season Saturday night by winning the 174-pound championship at Rocket Arena, defeating Nebraska’s Christopher Minto 2-1 to claim his second NCAA title and his first at 174 pounds.
Haines, who previously won a national championship at 157 in 2023-24, leaned on strength, defense and grit to get through yet another tense bout with Minto. It was the third time in the last two months the two had met, and once again Haines found a way. Earlier meetings had also been tight, with Haines winning 8-6 and 2-1 decisions.
This one followed a similar script.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.In a match that came down to the closing moments, Haines never broke. He stayed steady, defended well and showed the resolve that has defined his Penn State career, finishing the year a perfect 26-0.
His title was Penn State’s second of the night, following Mitchell Mesenbrink’s championship at 165 pounds, and came during another historic performance for the Nittany Lions, who earlier clinched their fifth straight team title while pushing toward another NCAA team scoring record.
Haines ends his college career with a 99-4 record, four Big Ten titles and NCAA championships in two different weight classes. He also joins Ed Ruth, Aaron Brooks and David Taylor as one of only four Nittany Lions to win four conference crowns.
