Penn State wrestling commit wins Junior Dan Hodge Trophy

For the second straight year, a Penn State wrestling pledge is bringing home the title of the nation’s best high school wrestler. On Thursday, Minisink Valley’s (NY) PJ Duke was presented the Junior Dan Hodge Trophy by WIN Magazine.

Becoming the 11th wrestler to win four New York state championships in March, Duke finished his high school prep career with a 152-1 record. In each of the last two state tournaments, he won every match by pin or tech fall.

PJ Duke named recipient of Junior Dan Hodge Trophy https://t.co/ltWVpInU4R

— WIN Magazine (@WINWrestlingMag) May 29, 2025

“It is pretty cool,” Duke told WIN of the honor. “I worked my whole life for this, and it has always been a dream to be No. 1 in the country.”

The nation’s top recruit in 2025, Duke has a busy slate before arriving on campus this fall. Earlier this month, Duke won the 70 kg title at the Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, taking down NCAA champions Antrell Taylor and Ridge Lovett in the process. He will wrestle Yianni Diakomihalis at Final X on June 14 for a chance to join the US National Team and compete in October’s Senior World Championships.

Duke is the second future Nittany Lion to win the Junior Hodge in as many years. Last spring, Luke Lilledahl claimed the honor while still at Wyoming Seminary. Like the star 125-pounder, many believe Duke will have an opportunity to start for Cael Sanderson as a true freshman.

Penn State wrestling great Mark Hall is the only other Nittany Lion to win the award in the trophy’s 27-year history, doing so in 2016.

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