South Dakota State University’s Seth Gross was named Monday as one of four finalists for the Dan Hodge Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top wrestler.
A native of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Gross capped his junior season by winning the 133-pound individual national title at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships last weekend in Cleveland, Ohio. Gross finished the year with a 29-1 overall record in which he recorded 12 pins and seven technical falls. A two-time NCAA finalist, Gross has compiled an 89-17 career record in his three seasons at SDSU.
Fan voting is now open to help determine the Hodge Trophy winner and will conclude at 5 p.m. Friday (March 23). Other finalists are Penn State wrestlers Bo Nickal and Zain Retherford, along with Arizona State’s Zahid Valencia.
Criteria for the award include:
1. A wrestler’s record
2. Number of pins
3. Dominance on the mat
4. Quality of competition
5. Past credentials
6. Sportsmanship/citizenship
7. Heart
The award, which is presented by ASICS and sponsored by WIN Magazine and Culture House, is named after the three-time national champion (1955-57) from the University of Oklahoma who never allowed a takedown in his college career. He also pinned 36 of his 46 victims. The Hodge Trophy has been presented annually since 1994.