When opponent programs start calling you a dynasty, you know your dominance has been rendered unchallenged. That’s what Penn State wrestling has become under Cael Sanderson, a winning machine that has secured 12 NCAA Championships in 16 years. Just in 2025, they registered the highest ever points in the NCAA Championships, and along the way won their 4th straight NCAA team title. So, here is a puzzling question. Why is Penn State losing talent from the program?

Parallel to the narrative of Penn State continuing their dynastic momentum, there’s a brewing discussion in the NCAA circle that the Nittany Lions are bleeding good wrestlers. And that speculation has just been given more substance by Greg Kerkvliet, the 2024 NCAA champion, who has just decided to leave the Penn State RTC. Global Wrestling Order quote tweeted the news shared by Saturday Night Lights that “Former Penn State National Champion & 2x NCAA Finalist Greg Kerkvliet has signed with the Lehigh Valley Wrestling RTC.”

But Global Wrestling Order’s X outlet pointed out the emerging pattern. “Another 1 bites the dust. How many elite wrestlers will leave the cult? Bartlett, Kerk, Taylor, Ryder, Gilman (left & returned), Facundo.” And they didn’t stop there. They had a few more questions. “Did Greg leave on bad terms, or is this just a “better fit” move? If PSU is the best RTC in the world, how can there be a better fit?🤔”

Greg Kerkvliet’s leaving for Lehigh Valley Wrestling’s RTC is in itself a move that needs analysis. The 4-time state champion finished his college spell with a 97-12 record, and would now be competing for international glory. There have also been rumors that the South Dakota-born wrestler is willing to try mixed martial arts for a professional engagement.

Whatever it may be, you would think that leaving Penn State is a step down in the current scenario. And then you add the names Beau Bartlett (leaving for New York Athletic Club), David Taylor (becoming the head coach at Oklahoma State instead of staying with Cael Sanderson’s coaching staff), Zack Ryder and Alex Facundo (both following Taylor to Oklahoma State) leaving the NCAA Champions, you feel there is a mini exodus of really good talent from Penn State. So how are we to explain this?

Well, we don’t have to. Because the Penn State fans have come out with their reasons. The bottom line is that they have nothing to worry about.

Penn State fans know the real reason for Greg Kerkvliet’s exit

As Global Wrestling Order’s tweet dropped, many fans took to the comment section to express their opinions. One dominant direction has been the Penn State fans not taking the tweet well. They think their college is being shown down when the story is something else. One guy commented, “Guys leave to be prioritized more at other places not so big, you can only have so many athletes in a room and give em all support before its not enough. Also psu heavyweight is a little lacking for bodies imo”.

The arguments made are quite reasonable. No doubt Penn State is stacked. Names like Mitchell Mesenbrink, the Mirasola twins, Levi Haines, and Tyler Kasak tell you that you really have to be good to be a champion there. The competition within the RTC is immense. But at the same time, it’s lacking in the heavyweight category for Penn State.

Heavyweight training needs variety for practicing different styles (athletic vs power-based heavyweights). The training shouldn’t become predictable due to a lack of partner rotations.ì Then your development might hamper. So, maybe Kerkvliet’s decision to look for a newer setting may have to do with bringing a new routine into his training. Add to that that the Lehigh Valley RTC is looking to specialize in training wrestlers for the Olympics and international tournaments.

It was the right choice to make the move. Nevertheless, the Penn State fans are backing themselves. One fan tweeted, “There isn’t room for everyone. TBH right now I don’t see the end of National championships anytime soon.” Another fan wrote, “Allocating resources is probably tough when everybody is a legit contender.” This is so true for lightweight and middleweight categories.

So, when a fan wrote, “Could be anything from money to someone else occupying that weight”, There’s less possibility of Greg Kerkvliet leaving because of his 285 lbs weight class being crowded. Money can be a factor.

Another fan mentioned the money angle: ““Better fit” might be an RTC willing to pay more than Nittany Lions. They’ve got deeper coffers but a lot of guys to spread that money out between that have better freestyle acumen and results as of now than GK.” Lehigh Valley may have offered more money. Lehigh Valley definitely has a renowned wrestling program for heavyweight wrestlers.

There are so many angles to look at when trying to find out why he may have left. The easier thing would be to just ask the wrestler himself. What do you think? Has Greg Kerkvliet made the right decision in leaving Penn State? Let us know your thoughts!