Penn State's Mesenbrink Wins Prestigious Hodge Award

Two-time NCAA champion earns top individual honor in college wrestling

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:33am

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Mitchell Mesenbrink, a two-time NCAA wrestling champion from Penn State University, has been named the winner of the 2026 WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy, presented by ASICS. The 165-pound standout will be honored at the Penn State wrestling banquet on April 12 and then publicly presented the award at a Nittany Lion football game this fall.

Why it matters

The Dan Hodge Trophy is considered the Heisman Trophy of college wrestling, honoring the most dominant wrestler in the country. Mesenbrink's win continues Penn State's wrestling dynasty, as he becomes the sixth different Nittany Lion to claim the prestigious award.

The details

Mesenbrink, who grew up training under longtime club coach and two-time Hodge winner Ben Askren, has compiled an impressive resume, including two NCAA titles. He won the award in a landslide, receiving 61 of 65 first-place votes from the Hodge Trophy Voting Committee.

  • Mesenbrink will be presented the Dan Hodge Trophy at the Penn State wrestling banquet on April 12, 2026.
  • Mesenbrink will be publicly presented the Dan Hodge Trophy at a Penn State football game this fall.

The players

Mitchell Mesenbrink

A two-time NCAA wrestling champion at 165 pounds for Penn State University and the 2026 winner of the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy.

Ben Askren

A two-time Hodge Trophy winner (2006, 2007) who was Mesenbrink's longtime club coach and mentor.

John Mesenbrink

Mitchell Mesenbrink's father, who coached him and Askren in high school at Arrowhead High in Hartland, Wisconsin.

Jax Forrest

An Oklahoma State freshman wrestler who finished second in the Hodge Trophy voting with four first-place votes.

Josh Barr

A Penn State wrestler at 197 pounds who received one first-place vote in the Hodge Trophy voting.

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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 OW 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 be publicly presented the Dan Hodge Trophy at a Penn State football game this fall.

The takeaway

Mesenbrink's Hodge Trophy win cements Penn State's status as a college wrestling powerhouse, with the program now boasting eight Hodge winners - the most of any school. His dominant performances and desire to leave no doubt about his superiority have earned him the sport's highest individual honor.