Penn State's Mitchell Mesenbrink Wins Hodge Trophy as Top Wrestler

Mesenbrink dominated the 165-pound weight class with an undefeated season and NCAA title.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:36am

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An abstract expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, capturing the raw power and intensity of a wrestler in motion, with only the energy of the competition visible through the dissolving, fragmented forms.Penn State's Mitchell Mesenbrink's relentless, high-scoring style propelled him to the Hodge Trophy as the nation's top wrestler.Cleveland Today

Penn State wrestler Mitchell Mesenbrink has been named the winner of the 2026 Hodge Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top collegiate wrestler. Mesenbrink, a junior, finished the season with a perfect 27-0 record, with all but one of his victories coming by bonus points. He was one of four Penn State semifinalists at the NCAA Championships, helping the Nittany Lions to their fifth straight team title.

Why it matters

The Hodge Trophy is considered the Heisman of college wrestling, and Mesenbrink's dominant performance cements Penn State's status as one of the premier wrestling programs in the country. His victory also continues a strong tradition of Nittany Lion wrestlers winning the prestigious award.

The details

Mesenbrink received 66 out of 71 first-place votes to win the Hodge Trophy by a wide margin. Oklahoma State's Jax Forrest finished second with four votes, while Penn State teammate Josh Barr received the other first-place vote. Mesenbrink's season was highlighted by 11 technical falls and 8 pins, with his only non-bonus point victory coming in the NCAA quarterfinals. He capped his campaign by winning his second NCAA title at 165 pounds, defeating Iowa's Mikey Caliendo 20-4.

  • Mesenbrink won the Hodge Trophy on March 30, 2026.
  • He completed his undefeated 27-0 season at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio.

The players

Mitchell Mesenbrink

A junior wrestler at Penn State University who won the 2026 Hodge Trophy as the nation's top collegiate wrestler.

Jax Forrest

A freshman wrestler at Oklahoma State University who finished second in the Hodge Trophy voting.

Josh Barr

A Penn State wrestler who received one first-place vote for the Hodge Trophy.

Luke Lilledahl

An undefeated Penn State wrestler who was a semifinalist at the 2026 NCAA Championships.

Levi Haines

An undefeated Penn State wrestler who was a semifinalist at the 2026 NCAA Championships.

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What they’re saying

“This is a very surreal come-to-fruition moment. I've always had bonus (points), even throughout high school, but maybe I got overlooked because I never got (outstanding wrestler) awards. I went all throughout high school without getting one. I would rather have a Dan Hodge Trophy than the 'Arrowhead Wrestling Invite OW,' though, so at the end of the day, it was a good trade.”

— Mitchell Mesenbrink

“With judgment awards, it is decided by someone else. I wrestle the way I do so I can take the interpretation out of the ref's hands. I want to leave no doubt.”

— Mitchell Mesenbrink

What’s next

Mesenbrink will look to become only the third two-time Hodge Trophy winner, joining David Taylor and Zain Retherford, when he returns for his senior season.

The takeaway

Mitchell Mesenbrink's dominant performance and Hodge Trophy win cement Penn State's status as one of the premier wrestling programs in the country. His unparalleled success on the mat, combined with the Nittany Lions' team accomplishments, solidify the school's reputation for producing elite collegiate wrestlers.