Hodge Trophy Preview

The Dan Hodge Trophy, established in 1995 and named after three-time NCAA champion Dan Hodge, is awarded annually to the most outstanding college wrestler in the United States. Often referred to as the Heisman Trophy of collegiate wrestling, the award is presented by WIN Magazine and Culture House.

Most recently, in 2024, Aaron Brooks of Penn State was recognized with the Hodge Trophy after achieving his fourth NCAA title and an undefeated season, further solidifying Penn State's prominence in collegiate wrestling.

This article will aim to compare the resumes and arguments for three contenders for this year's hodge trophy: Mitchell Mesenbrink, Carter Starocci and Gable Steveson.

Mitchell Mesenbrink:

When looking at the latest pound for pound rankings on flo-wrestling, Mesenbrink is listed at the 8th spot. While there is plenty of argument to be had about the competition level in the 165lb weight class, there is no argument to be made about the dominance Mesenbrink has shown all season.

Season Record:
This year Mesenbrink sits at 19-0 in the regular season and leads the nation with 15 tech falls, the next closest wrestler on the list is Purdue’s Matt Ramos (125) who has 13. Mesenbrink enters the big 10 tournament as a huge favorite and will look to write his only loss over the last two seasons and become the national champion at 165lbs.

Dominance & Bonus-Point Percentage:
While we already mentioned the dominance by the number of tech falls hea earned this season, looking at the stats, he leads penn state in all of the following dual meet statistics: Dual Points (75), Dual Takedowns (55), Dual Bonus Points (30) and Dual Tech Falls (11). He also sits near the top for dual stallings forced (24) while not allowing a single stall in dual meets this year.

Quality of Competition:
When he faced the No. 2 ranked Michael Caliendo in one of the most highly anticipated matches of the year, Caliendo couldn't even prevent himself from being teched by Mesenbrink, that should go to show he is at least worthy of having his name in this discussion.

And throughout the year, it was hard to find a match that fans and spectators alike were not convinced he would earn a tech fall.

Sportsmanship:
This one is harder to quantify and define, but in listening to Mesenbrink’s approach in post match interviews: it is clear he has a respect for his opponents and never disrespects his opponents, despite wiping the floor with all of them.

After a tech fall in the dual meet versus Rutgers we really got to see that on display in his post match interview:

“I think that's what makes this work fun, is that there's never an ‘I made it’ moment. My dad was really helpful in pushing that on me when I was younger. There's never an ‘I made it’. Even when you're an Olympic champion, there's always more.”

Carter Starocci

Season Record:
Starocci like the other wrestlers on this list is undefeated at 18-0, and while neither of these Nittany Lions have won the Hodge trophy in the past, it was probably because of the fact that their teammate Aaron Brooks stole the spotlight last season on his way to his fourth national title.

Dominance & Bonus-Point Percentage:
Unlike the tech machine that Mesenbrink is, Starocci earns his bonus points from a good mix of tech falls (7), major decisions (3) and pins (6). When looking at the same stat about the average margin of victory (team points), Starocci barely edges out Mesenbrink for second in the nation with an average margin of victory of 5.11.

Quality of Competition:
Starocci has faced the likes of many ranked wrestlers this season and earned bonus points on nearly every occasion, from Nebraska’s Silas Allred and Maryland’s Jaxon Smith, to Rutgers’ Shane Cartegena-Walsh, he stepped up in a big way against some of the nations best.

Heading into the postseason he will have his toughest opponent in Parker Keckeisen, who will be standing in the way of his unprecedented FIFTH national championship.

With the trophy announcement not coming until after the end of the NCAA tournament, this potential match between the No. 2 and No. 4 ranked pound for pound wrestlers according to FloWrestling will likely be the most important in determining the winner of this award.

Sportsmanship:
While Starocci has said some things that may not have come across in the best light, but he is almost always sure to keep it clean on the mat. He hasn’t given up any stalling points this season, but he did lose one team point during the season after being called for unsportsmanlike conduct against Lehigh.

Gable Steveson

Season Record:
Steveson is 11-0 this season scoring bonus points in every match he wrestled in. Eight of those matches ended in tech falls, two were pins, and the last was a major decision, and while he doesn't have as many matches as the first two Nittany Lions, his resume speaks for itself. Gable Steveson has solidified his status as one of the most dominant heavyweights in NCAA history.

With an unblemished record, a 63-match winning streak, and two NCAA titles, his return to college wrestling has only further cemented his legacy. Despite criticisms about his dominance over college competition, Steveson has continued to perform at the highest level, proving his worth as a top contender for the Hodge Trophy.

Dominance & Bonus-Point Percentage:
Steveson's ability to overwhelm his opponents is unmatched. In his final NCAA regular season, he consistently secured victories by technical fall and major decision, including a 19-3 technical fall in his last home match.

His offensive prowess is highlighted by his ability to rack up takedowns and near-falls at will, demonstrating why he remains a step ahead of the competition.

Quality of Competition:
While some critics argue that Steveson's Olympic experience gives him an unfair advantage, his dominance over ranked heavyweights proves his legitimacy. He has defeated top-tier competition throughout his career, and his continued success against elite-level opponents underscores his place among the greats in NCAA history.

Sportsmanship:
Despite facing criticism for his return, Steveson has remained focused on his team and his performance. His leadership and sportsmanship have been evident in his unwavering commitment to Minnesota’s program.

Whether in victory or defeat, he has carried himself with the confidence and composure of a champion, earning respect even from those who question his presence in the collegiate ranks.

Final Thoughts

Each contender brings a unique argument for the Hodge Trophy. Mitchell Mesenbrink dominates with sheer offensive firepower, leading the nation in technical falls and averaging near-perfect bonus-point production. His ability to overwhelm top-ranked opponents, like Michael Caliendo, makes him a serious threat for the award.

Carter Starocci is on the verge of history with a potential fifth NCAA title, an accomplishment that could outweigh raw dominance. His balanced mix of tech falls, pins, and major decisions, combined with wins over elite competition, makes him a well-rounded candidate, though his brash personality could be a factor.

Gable Steveson offers a legacy-driven case. Despite fewer matches, he remains untouchable, dismantling ranked heavyweights with ease. A third Hodge Trophy would tie him with Cael Sanderson, adding weight to his candidacy.

Whoever wins, the 2024-25 season has provided no shortage of outstanding performances, and each of these wrestlers has left an undeniable mark on collegiate wrestling.

Carson Schuler is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cts5357@psu.edu.