Penn State wrestler Bo Nickal wins Hodge trophy

Bo knows how it feels to get named the top collegiate wrestler in the country.

Penn State’s Bo Nickal won the WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy on Monday, becoming the third consecutive Penn State wrestler to win the award, which goes to the top college wrestler. Nickal beat out teammate Jason Nolf, a Kittanning graduate, for first place.

Nickal closed his Penn State career last month at PPG Paints Arena by winning his third consecutive NCAA title, beating Ohio State’s Kollin Moore in the 197-pound final. He was named the tournament’s most dominant wrestler after registering pins in three of his five matches.

Nolf, also a three-time NCAA champion, Rutgers’ Anthony Ashnault and Cornell’s Yianni Diakomihalis were the other three finalists for the Hodge, “wrestling’s Heisman trophy.”

Nickal won the final 68 matches of his career, claiming back-to-back national titles at 184 pounds before moving up to 197 pounds this season. He had 18 pins in his redshirt senior campaign and finished second in Penn State history with 59 in his career, one behind Nolf.

Zain Retherford, a 2018 Penn State graduate, won the Hodge in 2017 and 2018. Other Nittany Lions to claim the award include David Taylor (2012 and 2014) and Kerry McCoy (1997). Current Penn State coach Cael Sanderson won the award from 2000-02 when he wrestled at Iowa State.

The Hodge dates to 1995 and is named after Oklahoma’s Dan Hodge, who won NCAA titles from 1955-57.