The Transfer Portal: A Double-Edged Sword for Student-Athletes
Since its introduction on October 15, 2018, the NCAA transfer portal has transformed the landscape for student-athletes. This innovation offers a platform for athletes to explore new opportunities, yet it simultaneously amplifies the pressure to find their ideal athletic and academic fit. In the past season alone, over 2,800 FBS football players and roughly 2,700 other Division I scholarship athletes submitted their names to this digital marketplace. This staggering statistic reflects nearly one-quarter of all FBS scholarship holders. For many, like Mitchell Mesenbrink, the portal represented not just an opportunity but also an overwhelming sense of uncertainty—a daunting leap into unknown waters.
Mesenbrink’s Early Struggles in the Portal
Wrestling may not have experienced an exodus to the same degree as football, but the sport still sees its fair share of athletes seeking greener pastures each offseason. For Mesenbrink, a promising contender at 165 pounds, entering the transfer portal was anything but liberating. The emotional tumult of the process left him drained and questioning whether college wrestling was truly the right path for him. His first experience with the portal did not bring the clarity or relief he hoped for; instead, it forced him to confront his own doubts and fears about his future in the sport.
A Life-Altering Choice
After his initial foray into the transfer portal, Mesenbrink found himself at a crossroads, teetering on the brink of quitting wrestling altogether. “Honestly, what happened the first time with having to enter the transfer portal, I never wanted it to happen again,” he shared during a candid conversation on the podcast "Nickals and Dimes." It was during this tumultuous emotional journey that Mesenbrink found himself envisioning a different life—one spent getting his degree online or perhaps pursuing a career as a firefighter. He was ready to walk away from a sport that had, until that point, defined him.
The Turning Point: A Visit to Penn State
A pivotal moment in Mesenbrink’s journey came during a visit to Penn State, where he met Cael Sanderson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and an iconic figure in wrestling. It was a “gut-check” visit that provided him the clarity and focus he desperately needed. After a deep conversation with his parents and coach, he came to understand that stepping away from wrestling might lead to a lifetime of what-ifs. His mother’s words resonated profoundly: “If you don’t go to Penn State, you’re always going to wonder what if.” This realization compelled him to embrace the opportunity that lay ahead.
Trusting His Instincts
Even as he toured the Penn State facilities and attended practice, Mesenbrink felt a powerful internal confirmation. “I was sitting at practice and then that gut feeling—that nervous, uneasy feeling—I personally believe that God speaks to us through intuition. And I just felt like, ‘This is it’.” This intuitive signal proved to be pivotal, affirming his decision to join the Nittany Lions.
Finding His Footing at Penn State
Once at Penn State, Mesenbrink didn’t just find a new team—he found a family. Training under Sanderson provided him with the mentorship he craved, and the daily grind with elite teammates like Kyle Dake pushed him to rise to new competitive heights. The results of this partnership are evidenced by his recent achievements, including winning an NCAA title in the 165-pound category. His trajectory has shifted not only athletically but also personally, as he gained newfound confidence and poise.
Embracing the Journey
As he prepares for Final X, Mesenbrink has reestablished himself as a contender on the senior freestyle circuit, ready to compete against some of the best wrestlers in the world. With every challenging practice and competition, the intensity has helped him unlock new levels of performance and resilience. Reflecting on how close he came to stepping away from the sport, Mesenbrink articulates a truth that resonates deeply with many athletes: “I want to enjoy the sport. If I’m not going to enjoy it… I was going to be done.”
The Alchemy of Adversity
The transfer portal experience for Mesenbrink has transformed from one of trepidation to one of triumph. What began as a daunting leap into uncertainty has ignited a profound new chapter in his wrestling career. The emotional struggle it presented became the crucible in which his commitment and passion for the sport were reframed, leading him to heights he might never have imagined.
