Penn State Wrestlers Vie for Coveted Hodge Trophy

Multiple Nittany Lions contenders emerge in race for wrestling's top individual honor

Mar. 11, 2026 at 11:40pm

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The Hodge Trophy, wrestling's equivalent of college football's Heisman, is once again within reach for Penn State wrestlers. While Aaron Brooks secured the honor in 2024, the Nittany Lions have seen a relative drought in recent years, despite their overall dominance in the sport. This season, multiple contenders are emerging, setting the stage for a thrilling competition.

Why it matters

Winning the Hodge Trophy is a prestigious achievement that solidifies a wrestler's legacy and brings national recognition to their program. Penn State has long been a powerhouse in collegiate wrestling, and securing the Hodge would further cement their status as an elite program.

The details

Currently, two wrestlers are leading the pack: Penn State's Levi Mesenbrink and Ohio State's Jesse Mendez. Both have already achieved significant success in their collegiate careers, with Mesenbrink winning a national championship at 165 pounds last year and Mendez claiming the last two titles at 141 pounds. Mesenbrink boasts a 22-0 start to the season, punctuated by an impressive 22 bonus-point wins, including nine against ranked opponents. Mendez is also undefeated at 22-0, with a strong 86.36% bonus rate. Penn State's Greg Barr is considered a long shot for the Hodge Trophy, with an impressive 19-0 record and all wins by bonus point, but he has wrestled fewer matches than Mesenbrink and Mendez.

  • The Hodge Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's best collegiate wrestler.
  • Aaron Brooks of Penn State won the Hodge Trophy in 2024.

The players

Levi Mesenbrink

A Penn State wrestler who won the national championship at 165 pounds last year and is currently undefeated at 22-0 with 22 bonus-point wins, including nine against ranked opponents.

Jesse Mendez

An Ohio State wrestler who has won the last two NCAA titles at 141 pounds and is also undefeated at 22-0 with a strong 86.36% bonus rate.

Greg Barr

A Penn State wrestler who is 19-0 with all wins by bonus point, including 10 by tech fall and 11 against ranked competition, but has wrestled fewer matches than Mesenbrink and Mendez.

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The takeaway

The race for the 2025 Hodge Trophy is shaping up to be an exciting one, with multiple Penn State wrestlers in contention. The key factors that will determine the winner will be their undefeated records, bonus-point wins, and the strength of their competition. Fans will be closely watching to see who emerges as the frontrunner for this prestigious award.