Penn State wrestling commits win coveted junior national awards

Two of the Penn State wrestling program’s top commitments from the upcoming recruiting cycles are earning national recognition for their performances on the mat this season. This week, 2024 signee Luke Lilledahl took home the Junior Dan Hodge Trophy for the nation’s top scholastic wrestler, while 2025 commit PJ Duke won the Junior Schalles Award for the top pinner from the high school ranks. Lilledahl and Duke sit atop a pair of high-powered recruiting classes that Cael Sanderson has set to join the Nittany Lions in the coming years.

Penn State wrestling signee wins Junior Dan Hodge Trophy

Luke Lilledahl was already the No. 1 overall recruit for the class of 2024, retaining that ranking with the latest update by FloWrestling towards the end of May. Now the incoming star lightweight can add another prestigious award to his young resume case after being awarded the Junior Dan Hodge Trophy by Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine (WIN) Magazine.

The award is presented to the nation’s best high school wrestler by WIN. Originally from Missouri, Lilledahl finished his final season at Wyoming Seminary with a 22-0 record including three major decisions, four tech falls, and eight pins. His Blue Knights’ career ended with a 68-3 record and a 73.2% bonus percentage.

Latest issue of WIN features annual award winners. https://t.co/VJnkI5EnSg pic.twitter.com/2aNVBxjJWx

— WIN Magazine (@WINWrestlingMag) May 29, 2024

Of course, Penn State wrestling can also claim 2024’s Dan Hodge Trophy winner, with Aaron Brooks winning that award in April. This week, Brooks was also named the NCAA Wrestler of the Year by The Open Mat.

In addition to Lilledahl’s honor, 2025 Nittany Lions commit PJ Duke also earned some hardware. PJ Duke won the Junior Schalles Award, which goes to the nation’s top scholastic pinner. After missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, the Minisink Valley (New York) star went 39-0 with 30 tech falls this season.

Will Luke Lilledahl start as a true freshman?

There is a possibility that Luke Lilledahl could be an instant starter for Penn State wrestling during his true freshman season. Last year, Braeden Davis earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Championships after winning the Big Ten title at 125 pounds. Ultimately, Davis made it to the round of 12 at Nationals.

However, there was plenty of discussion throughout the season about how difficult it was for Davis to make weight at 125. His longer body seemed fit for a wrestler who could find himself moving up a few weight classes in the future. This opens the door for Lilledahl to start on day one for the Nittany Lions and possibly have instant success.

The 125-pound weight class is one of the most unpredictable in the sport. Just last season, we saw high schoolers knock off ranked college wrestlers on a consistent basis at invitationals. During the 2024 NCAA Championships, No. 8 seed Richard Figueroa (Arizona State) won the National Championship. So, based on Lilledahl’s recruiting prestige, it wouldn’t be shocking if he is a title contender from day one next season.

Cael Sanderson also has the benefit of using a redshirt for Braeden Davis if the Nittany Lions want to give him a season to bulk up and move to a weight class where he can reach his full potential. Regardless of the outcome, the future of Penn State lightweights is brighter than it has been in a while for Penn State wrestling.

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