The wrestling world is in chaos, and the 2025 Dan Hodge Trophy is at the center of the storm. Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson may have clinched the prestigious award, but not everyone is celebrating. Fans are fiercely divided, with many arguing that Hendrickson’s shocking NCAA title win over Gable Steveson played too big a role in the decision. Recency bias, they claim, overshadowed a season of dominance from other deserving contenders. None more so than Penn State’s Carter Starocci.

With Hendrickson securing 30 of the 59 votes, edging out Starocci by just four, the debate has reached a boiling point. But this isn’t just about one trophy; it’s about a pattern that has left a bitter taste in the mouths of wrestling purists. The snubbing of Gable Steveson, a generational talent, already had fans up in arms.

FloWrestling’s announcement on X summed up the moment perfectly. “Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson caps his unbelievable senior season with a Dan Hodge Trophy, crowning him the nation’s most dominant NCAA wrestler this season! #ncaawrestling.” But while Hendrickson and his supporters bask in the glory, the reaction from the wider wrestling community has been anything but unanimous. Was this truly a crowning moment for the best wrestler in the country, or just the latest case of recency bias tipping the scales?

The controversy stems from one undeniable fact. Gable Steveson wasn’t just another name left off the Hodge finalist list. He was THE name. An Olympic gold medalist, a two-time NCAA champion, and a man who returned to collegiate wrestling after stints in WWE and the NFL, Steveson had a 70-match win streak heading into the NCAA tournament. While Hendrickson’s last-second takedown secured his place in history, many argue that one match shouldn’t have overshadowed Steveson’s years of dominance. His exclusion from the finalist list left fans furious.

But it wasn’t just Steveson’s snub fueling the fire. Carter Starocci’s omission from the winner’s podium has only intensified the outrage. The Penn State superstar was seen by many as the rightful heir to the Hodge Trophy. Well, he is a five-time national champion! For critics, Hendrickson’s victory felt less like a recognition of season-long supremacy and more like a reaction to one unforgettable moment. As debates rage on about what the Hodge truly represents? Sustained excellence or one historic upset.

Fans clash over the Hodge Trophy decision

Some fans wasted no time in calling out what they saw as a blatant snub. One fan voiced their frustration, saying, “Can’t lie, man, congrats, but I’m calling bullshi# snubbing an undefeated 5-time national champion is so absurd! Do better NCAA wrestling!” This sentiment stems from Carter Starocci’s sheer dominance in the 174-pound division over the years. A four-time NCAA champion and U23 World bronze medalist, Starocci has been a relentless force in collegiate wrestling. His omission from the Hodge Trophy an even tougher pill to swallow for his supporters.

Others questioned whether Hendrickson’s win over Gable Steveson was enough to truly define “dominance” in the way the Hodge Trophy typically demands. One fan put it bluntly, “Not sure Wyatt was dominant. He did pull a huge upset over Gable, but I don’t think anyone would bet on Wyatt to repeat that feat. I am happy for him, but I would have voted for Starocci.” Even Steveson himself has acknowledged Penn State’s legacy under Cael Sanderson, stating, “Seeing a coach bring a group of guys together and dominate a collegiate sport is just crazy.” With such praise from an Olympic gold medalist, it’s no surprise that fans feel a Penn State wrestler should have taken the honor.

Some reactions took a more cutthroat approach, arguing that results speak louder than legacies. “He won. The other guy lost. I know playing for the Cowboys is a lost concept, but it’s the way it is in sports,” one user remarked. While Steveson’s resume is undeniable, Hendrickson’s clutch takedown in the final 20 seconds, flipping a 4-2 deficit into a stunning 5-4 victory, proved that in wrestling, the moment matters more than history.

Some Penn State fans believe Starocci has faced unfair treatment all season, with one calling out the NCAA, “From making Carter wrestle first on finals night to this, some anti-Starocci BS going on.” The decision to have Starocci wrestle before Gable in the finals night order raised eyebrows, as many felt it downplayed the significance of his championship bid.

Meanwhile, others fired back at the outcry, defending Hendrickson’s victory. “Hendrickson was more dominant and beat an Olympic gold medalist in the finals. Starocci’s other 4 years aren’t part of the consideration; the Hodge is rewarded on the basis of individual seasons.” This take aligns with the Hodge Trophy’s criteria, which emphasize the current season’s performance rather than career accolades. While Hendrickson’s last-second heroics against Gable may have tilted the scales in his favor, the debate continues to rage on.