Penn State Wrestling's Next Recruiting Priority? — Meet Mario Hutcherson, Elite 2028 Prospect!

Penn State wrestling fans, meet Mario Hutcherson—one of the country’s top prospects in the Class of 2028 and the reigning PIAA Class 3A champion at 189 pounds.

In this exclusive Locked On Nittany Lions interview, Hutcherson explains why Penn State wrestling has always caught his attention, what he admires about the program’s development system, and why Mitchell Mesenbrink’s relentless attacking style has influenced his own approach.

Mario also discusses training around the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, his relationships with Penn State recruits Landon Sidun and Elijah Brown, and what will eventually matter most when his formal recruiting process begins.

But wrestling and recruiting are only part of Mario’s story.

He and his family operate a snake-breeding business, and Mario explains why a snake’s patience, explosiveness and ability to attack reminds him of his own mentality on the mat. He also takes us through his rise from a sixth-place state finish as a freshman to winning a Pennsylvania championship as a sophomore, his upperweight athleticism, freestyle goals, interest in MMA and his desire to become a wrestler people genuinely want to watch.

Follow Mario's wrestling journey!

Mario on X: https://x.com/MarioHutcherso1?lang=en

Mario on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mario\_hutchy/?hl=en

Mario on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mario.hutcherson/

Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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00:00 Meet elite 2028 prospect Mario Hutcherson

02:25 Why Penn State wrestling interests Mario

03:23 How Penn State develops different wrestling styles

04:10 Mitchell Mesenbrink’s influence

05:02 Other programs and Mario’s recruiting outlook

05:59 Finding the right fit and coaching relationships

06:31 Landon Sidun and Mario’s Penn State connections

08:13 Academics, business and life after wrestling

10:25 Mario’s wrestling identity and snake business

12:13 How a snake’s mentality relates to wrestling

13:06 From sixth place to PIAA state champion

18:47 Controlling emotion and maintaining a high motor

19:06 Mario’s upperweight scrambling and athleticism

20:18 Freestyle development and international competition

20:56 World wrestling, MMA and long-term goals

21:34 Representing Western Pennsylvania

24:06 What Mario must improve next

24:49 “I want to put on a show”

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