Penn State Wrestlers Compete for Dan Hodge Trophy

Four wrestlers from Penn State University—Luke Lilledahl, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Levi Haines, and Josh Barr—are finalists for the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding collegiate wrestler. Fan voting for the award is open until March 27, 2026, and can be accessed at win-magazine.com. The fan vote will contribute five first-place votes, alongside votes from past Hodge winners, retired coaches, national media, and representatives from wrestling organizations. The criteria for the award include record, dominance, quality of competition, and sportsmanship.

Four Penn State Wrestlers Finalists for Hodge Trophy. Here’s How to Vote

The recognition of these finalists follows a successful season for Penn State wrestling, which recently secured its fifth consecutive NCAA team title. At the championships held in Cleveland, Mesenbrink and Haines each won their second individual titles, contributing to the team's overall success. Mesenbrink, the Outstanding Wrestler of the 2026 NCAA Championships, finished the season undefeated at 165 pounds, while Haines claimed the 174-pound title. Barr and Lilledahl also achieved national championships in their respective weight classes, with Barr finishing the season at 24-0 and Lilledahl at 25-0.

Four Penn State Wrestlers Finalists for Hodge Trophy. Here’s How to Vote

• Mitchell Mesenbrink: Undefeated with a 27-0 record, Mesenbrink had a bonus-point rate of 96.3%, the highest in the nation, and was named the NCAA Most Dominant Wrestler.

Four Penn State Wrestlers Finalists for Hodge Trophy. Here’s How to Vote

• Levi Haines: Finished his collegiate career with a 26-0 record and an 80.8% bonus rate, securing his second national championship at 174 pounds.

Four Penn State Wrestlers Finalists for Hodge Trophy. Here’s How to Vote

• Josh Barr: Achieved a 24-0 season with a 95.8% bonus rate, winning his first national title at 197 pounds.

Four Penn State Wrestlers Finalists for Hodge Trophy. Here’s How to Vote

• Luke Lilledahl: Claimed his first national championship at 125 pounds with a 25-0 record and a 58.3% bonus rate.

Four Penn State Wrestlers Finalists for Hodge Trophy. Here’s How to Vote

Penn State has a notable history with the Hodge Trophy, having produced five winners who have collectively won the award seven times. Notable recipients include Kerry McCoy (1997), David Taylor (2012, 2014), Zain Retherford (2017, 2018), Bo Nickal (2019), and Aaron Brooks (2024). Six of these victories occurred under the leadership of head coach Cael Sanderson, a three-time Hodge winner during his career at Iowa State.

Four Penn State Wrestlers Finalists for Hodge Trophy. Here’s How to VoteESPN

In addition to the Penn State finalists, the competition includes Oklahoma State's freshmen Jax Forrest and Sergio Vega, as well as NC State senior Isaac Trumble, the 285-pound champion. This diverse field highlights the competitive nature of collegiate wrestling and the significance of the Hodge Trophy.

Four Penn State Wrestlers Finalists for Hodge Trophy. Here’s How to Vote

As the fan voting period progresses, the achievements of these Penn State wrestlers not only underscore their individual talents but also reflect the strength of the university's wrestling program. The outcome of the Hodge Trophy will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as it represents the pinnacle of collegiate wrestling excellence.

Four Penn State Wrestlers Finalists for Hodge Trophy. Here’s How to Vote