All-American Freshman Aaron Nagao Transfers To Penn State
All-American Freshman Aaron Nagao Transfers To Penn State
All-American wrestling for the University of Minnesota Aaron Nago announced he is transferring to Penn State University with sophomore eligibility.
Aaron Nagao announced on the Baschamania podcast that he will be transferring to Penn State with sophomore eligibility. Nagao placed fifth at the 2023 NCAA Wrestling Championship as a redshirt freshman for the University of Minnesota.
Nagao chose PSU over Iowa and Iowa State, two programs about which Nagao had nothing but positive things to say. Nagao also thanked everyone at Minnesota for helping him get to where he is today.
Nagao also told Baschamania host Justin Basch that his faith was the most important thing that factored into his decision over other considerations such as potential NIL deals.
Nagao spent the last three seasons in Minneapolis with the Gophers, however, his 2021 season did not count towards his NCAA eligibility due to covid and he took a traditional redshirt season in 2022.
The most recent 2023 season was a breakout year for Nagao, as the California native from La Habra placed second at the Big Ten Championship and fifth at the NCAA Tournament.
Watch highlights of Nagao's 5th place match over Jesse Mendez at NCAAs:
Two of Nagao's six varsity losses in his collegiate career came at the hands of Roman Bravo-Young, the Nittany Lion that Nagao will presumably take over for in the Penn State lineup.
Penn State's potential 2023-24 lineup 9with most recent NCAA finishes) now looks like the following:
125: Robbie Howard, R16 (in 2021)
133: Aaron Nagao, 5th
141: Beau Bartlett, 3rd
149: Shayne Van Ness, 3rd
157: Mitchell Mesenbrink (freshman)
165: Levi Haines, 2nd (at 157)
174: Carter Starocci, 1st
184: Bernie Truax, 4th (at 197)
197: Aaron Brooks, 1st (at 184)
285: Greg Kerkvliet, 2nd
Penn State also has 2023 national qualifier at 165 Alex Facundo on their roster, as both Haines and Mesenbrink have potential redshirts to use.
The Gophers meanwhile will likely fill the 133-pound hole in their lineup with 2022 national qualifier Jake Gliva, who was battling with Nagao for the starting spot for most of last season.
Nagao is also an accomplished freestyle wrestler, having made the 2022 U23 world team at 61kg. Aaron placed 5th at the 2022 U23 World Championships.