A former Penn State wrestling star has accepted a spot to Final X.
For most wrestlers, the path to Final X runs through the U.S. Open, which is scheduled for April 24-25 in Las Vegas.
But Levi Haines isn’t most wrestlers.
Because Haines finished runner-up at last year’s Senior World Championships, he got offered a spot at 79 KG. He has accepted.
Penn State Wrestling Star Levi Haines Falls Just Short of World Championship
Haines will face whoever qualifies through the Open at 79 KG for a chance to go back to the World Championships.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.He’s the only starter from Penn State wrestling’s most recent national championship team that won’t be back next season, and he’ll be a big loss to account for. Haines ended his college career with two national championships, three national title appearances and four All-America honors, spending his first two seasons at 157 pounds and his last two at 174.
Haines wrestled his last college match late last month, beating Nebraska’s Christopher Minto for his second national title.
On Friday of this year’s NCAA Championships, Haines made it clear that he plans to keep wrestling for a long time, and hinted that he plans on continuing to train with Nittany Lions Wrestling Club.
“I’m grateful for the time I had at Penn State,” Haines said. “I don’t plan on going anywhere soon, so that helps as well. Lord willing, my wrestling career will be a lot longer than tomorrow night. But if it isn’t, I can say I did the best I could, hang my shoes up and know I’ve done my best. I hope to give back to Penn State, Coach Cael, Coach Casey, Coach Nick Lee, they’ve all done a lot to help me achieve my goals and keep on getting better.”
Final X is scheduled for June 19 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
