IOWA vs PENN STATE war at the 2026 US Open 🔥‼️
At 79kg - we had a battle of contrasting wrestlers at elite schools. The elite true freshman/U20 World Finalist🥈Will HENCKEL (PSU) VS the super senior veteran/2x NCAA AA Patrick KENNEDY (IOWA)
Kennedy came out on top by 8-6 decision over Henckel - who showed crazy talent placing 5th at the U.S. Open as a college freshman.
After falling to 2023 World team member Chance Marsteller in the semifinals, Patrick Kennedy rebounded to a third place finish at 79 kg.
Kennedy defeated U20 World silver Will Henckel, and then received a MFF in the bronze medal match.
📷 @KastlerDA
Patrick Kennedy wins in the consolation semifinals 8-6 over Henckel (NLWC). 🐤💪🏻
Kennedy will face Muhamed McBryde (WVRTC) in the bronze medal bout 🥾🇺🇸🎲🏆🤼🥉
Patrick Kennedy on how the team was able to flip the script after the dual season not going Iowas way:
"During the season it gets hard to stay in line, or just stay confident... Even though we got beat up sometimes and we got fucking torn apart online, we stayed positive."
Who is Patrick Kennedy?
For the blind, he is light
For the hungry, he is bread
For the sick, he is the cure
For the lonely, he is company
For the sad, he is joy
For the prisoner, he is freedom
For the poor, he is treasure
For me, he is everything
@iPatrickKennedy
So much respect for these guys!! And guess who offered to take this picture? Levi Haines. Pretty darn cool. These 2 battled 7X in their college careers and 5X this season. It’s an honor to call their matches. @B1GWrestling@Hawks_Wrestling@wrestlingbucks
Patrick Kennedy is into the semifinals for Iowa, winning a war vs. Carson Kharchla.
On the physicality needed to win the bout and his next match with Levi Haines:
First of three stories to come is now up. @kometwrestling's Parker richards waited his turn, now, with his boyhood idol in his corner, is a state champion. https://t.co/SnwuFIlhJb
Patrick Kennedy on what he will do after his last year at Iowa😂:
"Will also freestyle. But past freestyle, probably coaching or disappear in the mountains. I love freaking logging, chainsaws, splitting wood, fishing, things like that." 😂🤣