Penn State Wrestling's Luke Lilledahl is a national champion

Penn State Wrestling’s Luke Lilledahl wins his first NCAA title Saturday night in Cleveland, Ohio.

With Lilledahl’s 2-1 win over Princeton’s Marc-Anthony McGowan, the Nittany Lion young gun wins his first NCAA title. Additionally, Penn State Wrestling picks up their fourth NCAA title of the night inside the electric Rocket Arena.

Penn State Wrestling, Luke Lilledahl — Penn State Wrestling’s Luke Lilledahl defeats Conrad Hendriksen 14-4 in Penn State’s dual meet against Oklahoma, November 14, 2025
(Credit – Lloyd McCully for NittanyCentral)

For the season, Luke Lilledahl finished a perfect 25-0 while also notching his first B1G title two weeks ago.

In last year’s NCAA Championships, Lehigh’s Sheldon Seymour spoiled Lilledahl’s run in the quarterfinals. Moreover, Luke ultimately fought back in the wrestlebacks and finished in third place, taking home his first All-American finish.

But there simply wasn’t anyone in this year’s NCAA field that could match Lilledahl’s speed, offense, and defense. In the end, Luke finished the 2026 NCAA’s by outscoring his five opponents a combined 27-9.

As with many of the Nittany Lion underclassmen, the future looks insanely bright.

Luke still has eligibility for the next two seasons. And if this year was any indication, then the rest of the nation better get to work. Because something tells me that Luke Lilledahl is going to be back in the wrestling room grinding away each and every day very soon.

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Chris Snyder

Penn State Wrestling Beat Reporter at NittanyCentral

Expertise: College Wrestling, College Football, Lays Chips
Education: Penn State University
Location: State College, PA

Even though he had no prior journalism experience, Chris has now covered Penn State Wrestling and Penn State Football for the past three years, including as the Penn State Wrestling Beat Writer for VictoryBellRings.com, part of the FanSided network.

And it's clear he also likes constant torture as he's been a PSU Basketball fan for way too long.

Several years back, Chris made the seamless transition from PGA Professional to computer programmer and thoroughly enjoys following and writing about all things related to Penn State sports during his spare time.

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Chris Snyder
Expertise: College Wrestling, College Football, Lays Chips Education: Penn State University Location: State College, PA Even though he had no prior journalism experience, Chris has now covered Penn State Wrestling and Penn State Football for the past three years, including as the Penn State Wrestling Beat Writer for VictoryBellRings.com, part of the FanSided network. And it's clear he also likes constant torture as he's been a PSU Basketball fan for way too long. Several years back, Chris made the seamless transition from PGA Professional to computer programmer and thoroughly enjoys following and writing about all things related to Penn State sports during his spare time.

Chris Snyder

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Expertise: College Wrestling, College Football, Lays Chips Education: Penn State University Location: State College, PA Even though he had no prior journalism experience, Chris has now covered Penn State Wrestling and Penn State Football for the past three years, including as the Penn State Wrestling Beat Writer for VictoryBellRings.com, part of the FanSided network. And it's clear he also likes constant torture as he's been a PSU Basketball fan for way too long. Several years back, Chris made the seamless transition from PGA Professional to computer programmer and thoroughly enjoys following and writing about all things related to Penn State sports during his spare time.

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