Penn State Wrestling, Mitchell Mesenbrink Penn State Wrestling’s Mitchell Mesenbrink defeats Kaden Milheim 19-2 in Penn State’s dual meet against American, February 21, 2025.Credit – Lloyd McCully

Penn State Wrestling: Mitchell Mesebrink wins the 2026 Hodge Trophy

Originally posted on Nittany Central | By Chris Snyder | Last updated Mar 30, 2026 6:07 PM ET

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This past year was yet another incredible season for Penn State Wrestling.

The Nittany Lions won their fourth straight Big Ten title and they won their 13th NCAA title in the last 15 tournaments. Not only was this their fifth straight natty, but to further add to their dominance on the mat, Penn State set the team scoring mark (181.5) for the third straight year.

To frame this eloquently, “Penn State Wrestling is, like, really good”.

As far as individual awards, no other wrestler was as decorated this year as Mitchell Mesenbrink.

Mitchell Mesenbrink Adds to Penn State Wrestling Hardware

This season Mesenbrink won his third B1G title, his second NCAA title, and was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA Championships.

Oh, and he accomplished this by going a perfect 27-0 while piling up a bonus point percentage of 96.3%. Which keep in mind, just broke the previous program record of 94.1% set by David Taylor in 2014.

Mitchell has one more season left in Happy Valley, and this is where he currently sits in terms of Penn State Wrestling records:

Penn State Wrestling Records

Career Win Percentage
1st – Mitchell Mesenbrink 98.8%
2nd – Ed Ruth 97.8%
3rd – David Taylor 97.8%

Season Bonus Win Percentage
1st – Mitchell Mesenbrink 96.3% (2026)
2nd – Josh Barr 95.83% (2026)
3rd – David Taylor 94.1% (2014)

Career Tech Falls
1st – David Taylor 42
2nd – Mitchell Mesenbrink 35
3rd – Nick Lee 28

Season Tech Falls
1st – Mitchell Mesenbrink 18 (2025)
2nd – David Taylor 15 (2011)
3rd – Jason Nolf 11 (2016)

What’s Next for Mitchell Mesenbrink?

When Mitchell Mesenbrink rides off into the sunset following next year, it’s very possible he takes over David Taylor in career technical falls. And for a program that has been as dominant as the Nittany Lions have been over the past decade plus, it’s crazy to think that the best wrestlers and the best team in history are currently in the room.

Penn State Wrestling, Hodge Lodge Penn State Wrestling and Rec Hall are home to the Dan Hodge Trophy.Credit – Lloyd McCully

Mesenbrink is now the sixth Nittany Lion to win the Hodge Trophy and Penn State Wrestling has a total of eight Hodge Trophies.

Could next year be even better? Additionally, will Mitchell make it back-to-back with the Hodge? Or will someone else in the room take home this prestigious honor?

Well, I’m not even going to answer those questions. The final pages of this season have finally turned over and I think it’s best to let everyone enjoy what has already unfolded.

Besides, next year will be here before you know it!

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This article first appeared on Nittany Central and was syndicated with permission.

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