Carter Starocci & Mitchell Mesenbrink named finalists for Hodge Trophy
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (WTAJ) — After winning its fourth consecutive NCAA team championship, Carter Starocci and Mitchell Mesenbrink have been named two of the three finalists for the Hodge Trophy. The Hodge Trophy is given to the top wrestler in the nation.
Starocci became the first wrestler to win five national titles, while Mesenbrink won an individual title at 165 pounds.
After moving up a weight class to 184 pounds this season, Starocci continued to dominate his competition en route to an undefeated season with six pins with 10 tech falls. Messenbrink did not record a pin, however he had 10 tech falls as he also went undefeated.
The last two Nittany Lions to win the Hodge Trophy were Aaron Brooks in 2024 and Bo Nickal in 2019.
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