(WHTM) — The NCAA wrestling semifinals occurred in Philadephia last night, and while some Penn State wrestlers fell, a few Nittany Lions remained standing and will advance to the championship.

Seven of the Penn State wrestlers competed to punch their ticket to Saturday night’s finals.

In 141 pounds, Penn State’s Beau Bartlett falls in overtime to Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez in a close fight. In 149 pounds, Penn State’s Shayne Van Ness falls in a 14-8 decision. In 165 pounds, the first Nittany Lion advanced, as Mitchell Mesenbrink defeated Nebraska’s Christopher Minto in a 13-2 decision.

“Every opportunity is awesome,” said Mesenbrink after his match. “So far, in my whole life, this is the stuff that I live for. Obviously, I want to be a dad one day and be a husband and whatnot, so that’s what I’m going to live for soon, but for now, this is what I really enjoy doing.”

In 174 pounds, Midstate native Levi Haines falls in a close decision against Oklahoma State’s Dean Hamiti, 4-2. In 184 pounds, the pursuit for five straight is alive as Carter Starocci is headed back to the finals with a chance to make history after a 9-3 win over Oklahoma State’s Dustin Plott.

“It’s no different honestly, what goes through my mind,” said Starocci. “For me, when that whistle blows, you gotta turn the kill switch on. Whoever’s out there in front of you, that’s who you gotta take out, so that’s kind of my mindset. For me, that’s easy to do.”

In 197 pounds, Josh Barr is also advancing after a 5-3 win over one-seeded Jacob Cardenas. In 285 pounds, Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet falls to Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson.

“Our team effort is 100% every time,” said Barr. “I’ve wrestled with the best team in the whole world, the best 10 guys in the starting lineup, the best 30, 40, however many guys on the team in the whole world. The best coaching staff, best trainers, the best support system. The effort is there, every single time.”

Three Nittany Lions will advance to Saturday night’s finals.