Dan Hodge Trophy

The Dan Hodge Trophy is awarded each year to the United States of America’s best college wrestler.[1] The trophy is presented at the end of the season by WIN magazine and Culture House.[2] It is the collegiate wrestling equivalent to the Heisman Trophy in college football.[3] Its high school wrestling equivalent is the Junior Hodge Trophy, which has been awarded annually since 1998.[4]

The Hodge Trophy is named after Danny Hodge, a three–time NCAA champion for the University of Oklahoma from 1955 to 1957.[5] The Hodge Trophy was created by Mike Chapman, founder of WIN magazine and Culture House, a company that produces books and posters.[6] The first winner was T.J. Jaworsky, a three–time NCAA Division I National champion from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995.[7]

There have been six multiple winners of the Hodge Trophy. The first was Iowa State's legend Cael Sanderson, who won the award three times in his run as the first undefeated four–time NCAA champion, the second was Ben Askren from Missouri, who won the award two times, the third and fourth were David Taylor and Zain Retherford respectively, both from Penn State, who won the award two times, the fifth is Spencer Lee from Iowa, and the sixth (and most recent) is Gable Steveson, who won the award two times, becoming the only heavyweight to do so.[8]

Award criteria

Since 2022, the Hodge Trophy Voting Criteria has been based on four criteria:[9]

  1. Record
  2. Dominance/Bonus-Point Percentage
  3. Quality of Competition
  4. Sportsmanship

Formerly, the trophy was awarded based on seven criteria:[10]

  1. Record
  2. Number of pins
  3. Dominance
  4. Past credentials
  5. Quality of competition
  6. Sportsmanship/Citizenship
  7. Heart

Hodge Trophy Winners

Year Recipient Weight School Finalists*
2024
 Aaron Brooks
197
 Penn State Aaron Brooks (48), Parker Keckeisen (8), Carter Starocci (2), Greg Kerkvliet (1), Levi Haines (0)[11]
2023
 Mason Parris
285
 Michigan Mason Parris (38), Carter Starocci (14), Yianni Diakomihalis (6), Andrew Alirez (4), Austin O'Connor (2)[12]
2022
 Gable Steveson
285
 Minnesota Gable Steveson (49), Yianni Diakomihalis (5), Nick Lee (3)[13]
2021**
 Spencer Lee
Gable Steveson
125
285
 Iowa

Minnesota

Spencer Lee, Gable Steveson, David Carr, Roman Bravo-Young, Aaron Brooks, Austin O'Connor[14]
2020
 Spencer Lee
125
 Iowa Spencer Lee (52), Kollin Moore (3), Ryan Deakin (1), Shane Griffith (1), Noah Adams (0), Pat Glory (0), Chas Tucker (0), Gable Steveson (0)[15]
2019
 Bo Nickal
197
 Penn State Bo Nickal (37), Jason Nolf (10), Co-Winner Nickal/Nolf (4), Yianni Diakomihalis (0), Anthony Ashnault (0)[16]
2018
 Zain Retherford
149
 Penn State Zain Retherford (35), Bo Nickal (6), Seth Gross (4), Zahid Valencia (3)[17]
2017
 Zain Retherford
149
 Penn State Zain Retherford (33), J'Den Cox (5), Kyle Snyder (4), Jason Nolf (3)[18]
2016
 Alex Dieringer
165
 Oklahoma State Alex Dieringer (27), Zain Retherford (14), Kyle Snyder (3), Nahshon Garrett (1)[19]
2015
 Logan Stieber
141
 Ohio State Logan Stieber (38), Alex Dieringer (3), Isaiah Martinez (1), Nick Gwiazdowski (1)[20]
2014
 David Taylor
165
 Penn State David Taylor (38), Logan Stieber (3), Ed Ruth (2), Chris Perry (2), Alex Dieringer[21]
2013
 Kyle Dake
165
 Cornell Kyle Dake (39), Ed Ruth (4), Jordan Oliver, Logan Stieber[22]
2012
 David Taylor
165
 Penn State David Taylor, Ed Ruth, Kyle Dake, Frank Molinaro, Cam Simaz, Matt McDonough[23]
2011
 Jordan Burroughs
165
 Nebraska Jordan Burroughs, Jordan Oliver, Anthony Robles, Jon Reader, Kellen Russell[24]
2010
 Jayson Ness
133
 Minnesota Jayson Ness, Jake Varner, Jay Borschel[25]
2009
 Jake Herbert
184
 Northwestern Jake Herbert, Brent Metcalf, Jordan Burroughs, Jake Varner, Mike Pucillo [26]
2008
 Brent Metcalf
149
 Iowa Brent Metcalf, Keith Gavin, Mike Pucillo, Phil Davis, Angel Escobedo, Tervel Dlagnev, Dustin Fox [27]
2007
 Ben Askren
174
 Missouri Ben Askren, Cole Konrad, Jake Herbert, Derek Moore [28]
2006
 Ben Askren
174
 Missouri Ben Askren, Les Sigman, Nate Gallick, Cole Konrad, Ben Cherrington [29]
2005
 Steve Mocco
285
 Oklahoma State Steve Mocco, Greg Jones [30]
2004
 Emmett Willson
197
 Montana State-Northern Emmett Wilson, Scott Moore, Matt Gentry, Greg Jones [31]
2003
 Eric Larkin
149
 Arizona State Eric Larkin, Matt Lackey, Steve Mocco, Travis Lee [32]
2002
 Cael Sanderson
197
 Iowa State Cael Sanderson, Stephen Abas [33]
2001**
 Nick Ackerman
Cael Sanderson
174
184
 Simpson College,

Iowa State

Nick Ackerman, Cael Sanderson, Stephen Abas,

Michael Lightner, T.J. Williams, Josh Koscheck[34]

2000
 Cael Sanderson
184
 Iowa State Cael Sanderson [35]
1999
 Stephen Neal
285
 Cal State Bakersfield Stephen Neal [36]
1998
 Mark Ironside
134
 Iowa Mark Ironside [37]
1997
 Kerry McCoy
285
 Penn State Kerry McCoy [38]
1996
 Les Gutches
177
 Oregon State Les Gutches [39]
1995
 T.J. Jaworsky
134
 North Carolina T.J. Jaworsky, Lincoln McIlravy, Joel Sharratt, Kerry McCoy [40]

* Number of first place ballot votes from the Hodge Committee is indicated in parentheses

** In 2001 and 2021, the Dan Hodge Trophy was shared by two co-winners

Junior Hodge Trophy Winners

Year Recipient School
2024 Luke Lilledahl Wyoming Seminary (Pa.)
2023 Cael Hughes Stillwater (Okla.)
2022 Nick Feldman Malvern Prep (Pa.)
2021 Jesse Mendez Crown Point (Ind.)
2020 Keegan O’Toole Arrowhead (Hartland, Wisc.)
2019 Andrew Alirez Greeley Central (Colo.)
2018 Gable Steveson Apple Valley (Minn.)
2017 Daton Fix Sand Springs (Okla.)
2016 Mark Hall Apple Valley (Minn.)
2015 Zahid Valencia St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
2014 Chance Marsteller Kennard-Dale (Fawn Grove, Pa.)
2013 Bo Jordan Graham (St. Paris, Ohio)
2012 Jordan Rogers Mead (Spokane, Wash.)
2011 Logan Storley Webster (S.D.)
2010 Logan Stieber Monroeville (Ohio)
2009 Chris Perry Stillwater (Oklahoma)
2008 Jason Welch Las Lomas (Walnut Creek, Calif.)
2007 Cody Gardner Christianburg (Va.)
2006 David Craig Brandon (Florida)
2005 Troy Nickerson Chenango Forks (New York)
2004 Jeff Jaggers St. Peter Chanel (Bedford, Ohio)
2003 Mark Perry Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.)
2002 Teyon Ware Edmond North (Oklahoma)
2001 Steve Mocco Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.)
2000 Jesse Jantzen Shoreham Wading River (New York)
1999 Damion Hahn Lakewood (New Jersey)
1998 Shane Roller Bixby (Oklahoma)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Dan Hodge Trophy". WIN-Magazine.com. WIN Magazine. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
  2. ^ "Spencer Lee Named Finalist for Dan Hodge Trophy". University of Iowa Athletics. 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  3. ^ "Dan Hodge Trophy: History, winners and how it works | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  4. ^ "Junior Hodge Trophy". WIN magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  5. ^ "OU Family Mourns Loss of Danny Hodge". University of Oklahoma. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  6. ^ "Dan Hodge Trophy | Mike Chapman – Author/Historian". Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  7. ^ "T.J. Jaworsky - First Hodge Trophy Winner (1995)". WIN Magazine. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  8. ^ "Gable Steveson Wins His Second Dan Hodge Trophy". University of Minnesota Athletics. 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  9. ^ "The 2023 Dan Hodge Trophy Presented by ASICS Fan Vote". Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  10. ^ "O-State's Dieringer named WIN Magazine Dan Hodge Trophy winner | National Wrestling Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2016-07-21. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  11. ^ Finn, Mike (2024-04-01). "Penn State's four-time champ Aaron Brooks wins 2024 Hodge Trophy". WIN Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  12. ^ Finn, Mike (27 March 2023). "Mason Parris wins 2023 Hodge; Starocci, Diakomihalis finish second, third". Wrestling Insider Magazine. WIN Magazine. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  13. ^ Finn, Mike (28 March 2022). "Gable Steveson wins 2022 WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy, Presented by ASICS". Wrestling Insider Magazine. WIN Magazine. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  14. ^ Finn, Mike. "2021 CO-WINNERS". Wrestling Insider Magazine. WIN Magazine. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  15. ^ Finn, Mike. "Spencer Lee Wins 2020 Dan Hodge Trophy". Wrestling Insider Magazine. WIN Magazine. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  16. ^ Finn, Mike (April 2019). "Bo Nickal Wins 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy". Wrestling Insider Magazine. WIN Magazine. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  17. ^ Finn, Mike (27 March 2018). "Retherford wins second WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy". Wrestling Insider Magazine. WIN Magazine. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  18. ^ "Penn State's Zain Retherford wins 2017 WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy, presented by ASICS". news.theopenmat.com. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  19. ^ "Dieringer presented 2016 Dan Hodge Trophy - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  20. ^ "Logan Stieber wins 2015 WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  21. ^ "David Taylor wins 2014 Dan Hodge Trophy - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. April 2014. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  22. ^ "Kyle Dake wins 2013 Dan Hodge Trophy - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  23. ^ "Nittany Lion David Taylor Wins Hodge Trophy as National Wrestler of the Year". Archived from the original on 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  24. ^ "Jordan Burroughs wins Dan Hodge Trophy - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. 25 March 2011. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  25. ^ "Jayson Ness, 2010 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  26. ^ "Jake Herbert, 2009 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  27. ^ "Brent Metcalf, 2008 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  28. ^ "Ben Askren of Missouri wins Dan Hodge Award for second straight year | TheMat.com - USA Wrestling". content.themat.com. Archived from the original on 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  29. ^ "Ben Askren, 2006 & 2007 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  30. ^ "Steve Mocco, 2005 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  31. ^ "Emmett Willson, 2004 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  32. ^ "Eric Larkin, 2003 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  33. ^ "Cael Sanderson, 3-time Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  34. ^ "Nick Ackerman, 2001 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  35. ^ "Cael Sanderson, 3-time Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  36. ^ "Stephen Neal, 1999 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  37. ^ "Mark Ironside, 1998 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  38. ^ "Kerry McCoy, 1997 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  39. ^ "Les Gutches, 1996 Hodge Trophy winner - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  40. ^ "T.J. Jaworsky – First Hodge Trophy Winner (1995) - WIN Magazine: Wrestling News". www.win-magazine.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.