Wrestler Chance Marsteller switches from Penn State to Oklahoma State

The nation's top high school wrestling recruit, Kennard-Dale's Chance Marsteller, has officially de-committed from Penn State and will now head to Oklahoma State.

Kennard-Dale coach Mike Balestrini said he spoke with Marsteller on Wednesday and learned of his decision, which he had been mulling over for several days.

"It's a done deal. I can't explain why or what happened. ... It's all new to me," Balestrini said. "I talked to Chance. I can't tell him what to do and what not to do."

Marsteller is a three-time defending PIAA champion and is undefeated in his high school career at 125-0. His senior season in the YAIAA begins in a couple of weeks.

He is regarded as the nation's No. 1 overall high school wrestler at 170 pounds by Flowrestling.com. In March, he cruised to his third straight PIAA Class AAA title at 160 pounds.

It seemed a logical meeting of forces when Marsteller verbally committed to Penn State and coach Cael Sanderson on July 4. The Nittany Lions have won three straight NCAA tournament titles and show no signs of slowing with one recruiting haul after another.

Marsteller's family and friends would have been able to regularly watch him wrestle less than three hours from home.

Now, he will be preparing to head to Oklahoma State next summer -- the team that finished second to Penn State in last year's NCAA's.

Sanderson did visit with Marsteller in recent days as he was in the process of making his decision, Balestrini said.

Joey Wildasin, the South Western graduate who won three state titles and lost just one career match, also ended up at Oklahoma State in the early 1990s after attending a junior college.

Contact Frank Bodani at 771-2104.