The name Mirasola has been a big one for Penn State wrestling over the past several years, and there’s a good chance one of them will be PSU’s starting heavyweight in 2026-27.
The question is, which one?
It’s not confirmed yet whether Cole Mirasola, who started at heavyweight for Penn State last season, will battle his twin brother, Connor, to keep his spot.
But it’s certainly possible.
Connor Mirasola just won a U23 national championship, and did so at 125KG, which translates to above 275 pounds. That would put him at an appropriate weight for heavyweight, where the maximum weight is 285.
This would be Connor Mirasola’s best path to the Penn State lineup. He came to PSU as a four-time Wisconsin state champion, and furthered his name by taking down four-time national champ and future Olympic Bronze Medalist Aaron Brooks at the 2024 Olympic Trials at the Bryce Jordan Center.
But like many others before him, Connor has fallen victim to being part of the best wrestling room in the world.
Before Connor’s freshman season, Carter Starocci announced he was coming back to go for an unprecedented fifth national title, and would do so at 184 pounds.
This led to Josh Barr moving up to 197, and all Barr has done since is go 44-4, make two national championship matches and become a national champ.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Connor has made the most of his opportunities, starting his college career 14-1, with his lone loss coming against Wyoming’s Joey Novak, who finished fourth at nationals.
But with Barr set to return this season, 197 is taken care of.
Heavyweight might not be as cut and dry.
Last season, Cole Mirasola went 19-8, finishing 12th at nationals.
At times, he looked like one of the best heavyweights in the country, such as when he upset No. 3 Nick Feldman in the Penn State-Ohio State dual meet at the Bryce Jordan Center in February.
In order to build off that, Mirasola could face competition from his brother, as well as incoming freshman Elijah Brown, who wrecked havoc at this year’s PIAA tournament.
Connor Mirasola is still listed at 197 pounds, but if this past weekend is any indication, that will change song.
