Penn State Wrestlers React to Trump's Appearance at NCAA Championships
Sarah Johnson
March 23, 2025
Brief
President Donald Trump's visit to the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia drew mixed reactions, with Penn State wrestlers noting the positive impact of his high-profile attendance on the sport.
President Donald Trump's appearance at the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia sparked a mix of reactions, with many competitors weighing in on the significance of this high-profile visit.
Before Trump entered the Wells Fargo Arena to a thunderous reception from the crowd, some Penn State wrestlers shared their thoughts on his attendance. Josh Barr, one of the team’s standout athletes, described it as a "great honor for the sport of wrestling." He emphasized how wrestling needs more visibility and energy, and he believes Trump’s presence helps shine a spotlight on the sport.
Teammate Mitchell Mesenbrink voiced similar sentiments. Putting politics aside, he argued that having the President of the United States at the championships could help boost viewership. "We want to get people to watch, right? We want people to watch wrestling," Mesenbrink said. "Democrat or Republican, whoever it is, it's the president of the United States. The leader of the free world at our wrestling event is really cool when you think about it that way."
Trump, speaking outside the White House before heading to the championships, heaped praise on the wrestlers. "We're going to the big fight," he said. "I’ve always supported the wrestlers. These are the great college wrestlers from the various schools. I think Penn State is leading, and Nebraska is in second place right now. And a lot of good things."
The championships marked a return to Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center for the first time since 2011, a year when Penn State clinched victory and began their dominant streak. Fast forward to today, the Nittany Lions have now claimed 12 of the last 14 titles, including the team championship secured earlier on Saturday, continuing their reign as a collegiate wrestling powerhouse.
Trump’s attendance may have drawn some controversy, as things often do with his presence, but there’s no denying it added an extra layer of intrigue to an already electrifying championship event.
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Editor's Comments
It’s hard to deny the irony here: wrestling, one of the most underappreciated sports in America, suddenly gets a burst of attention because of a polarizing figure like Trump. Love him or hate him, the man does have a way of pulling focus. But the real winners here are the wrestlers—finally getting a bit of the spotlight they deserve. Let’s just hope the attention stays on the mat and not the politics.
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