UNIVERSITY PARK — What does the best collegiate wrestler in the nation do just hours after he wins wrestling’s version of the Heisman Trophy?
Well, if you’re Penn State 149-pounder Zain Retherford, you go to practice and try to get better.
A now-bearded Retherford was named on March 28 as the WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy recipient, presented annually to the top collegiate wrestler in the nation by ASICS.
“I’m here at practice right now. It doesn’t change anything that way. I’m still going to do what I’m going to do,” he said.
“I was pretty happy. It’s a pretty awesome award. It represents Dan Hodge, a legend.
‘I met him once. I think I have big hands. His hands were twice the size of mine. I’ve heard stories about him. He was a boxer, a wrestler and a national champion. Very dominant. To win something named after him is pretty awesome.”
Penn State fans and coaches have thought Retherford was the best collegiate wrestler in the nation for two years. Now, he has officially been given the honor.
“I think he’s very deserving. We thought last year statistically he had a great chance. You just had (Oklahoma State three-time champion Alex) Dieringer (who) had such an outstanding career,” Penn State coach Cael Sanderson said.
“He had an incredible year. Teching your way through the national tournament, it’s unbelievable. It doesn’t happen … it’s happened probably a couple times. Even last year, he teched/pinned everybody and a major (decision) in the finals. To do that two years in a row is really impressive. That’s legendary type of stuff there.”
Three Nittany Lions have won the award since it was first presented in 1995. Kerry McCoy won it in 1997. David Taylor is one of only three two-time winners, having won it in 2012 and 2014.
Sanderson, who won it in 2000, 2001 and 2002 at Iowa State, is the only three-time recipient. Missouri’s Ben Askren, who won it in 2007 and 2008, is the only other two-time winner.
Retherford, Penn State’s 26th three-time All-American and seventh two-time NCAA champion, ran his winning streak to 63 straight matches with his five-match march to a second NCAA championship, March 16-18 in St. Louis.
The junior finance major earned the 2017 NCAA Championships Outstanding Wrestler award after racking up four technical falls and a pin in helping lead the Nittany Lions to back-to-back titles and their sixth championship in seven years.
He ended the season with a 28-0 record with 17 pins, seven technical falls and a major decision. Those superlatives earned him the NCAA’s 2017 Most Dominant Wrestler award.
Retherford will try to win a third title and fourth All-America honor during the 2017-18 season. He’ll carry with him a 95-3 career record that includes 36 pins, 17 technical falls and 17 majors.
Despite all of that, Retherford said he still thinks he has lots of areas to improve in.
“There are a lot of moves and positions I need to work on, obviously. I got taken down in the national finals. Any moment someone’s ready to compete against you, so I’ve got to work on some stuff and improve,” he said.
“I don’t think I’m a marked man. I don’t see myself as that. I see myself as someone who steps on the mat and, when he steps on the line, he’ll be ready.”
