Jan. 15 Hodge update includes three NCAA champs

ASICS’ Race for the Hodge Trophy, Jan. 15

The following is a list of the top Division I wrestlers, who are undefeated and could win the 2014 WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy, presented by ASICS. The statistics are through Jan. 12.

1. David Taylor, Penn State, 165 pounds, 18-0, 10 pins, 4 TF, 4 MD

The 2012 Hodge Trophy winner leads the top-ranked Nittany Lions with 42 dual meet points, including 18 bonus points. In those eight duals, the senior also leads the team with four pins and 38 takedowns.

2. Andrew Howe, Oklahoma, 174 pounds, 14-0, 5 pins, 4 TF, 2 MD

The former national champ and three-time All-American transfer from Wisconsin is scheduled to wrestle four more duals before another scheduled meeting with Oklahoma State’s defending champ Chris Perry in Bedlam II, Feb. 9, in Stillwater.

3. Derek St. John, Iowa, 157 pounds, 20-0, 5 pins, 2 TF, 3 MD

The 2013 NCAA champion is coming off a 3-2 victory over No. 2 Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State. The Hawkeye did not score a takedown in that match, but jumped on top for good with a reversal in the final 20 seconds of the second period.

4. Mitchell Port, Edinboro, 141 pounds, 17-0, 9 pins, 2 TF, 3 MD

The 2013 national runner-up won three matches at the Virginia Duals, including a 5-1 win over Old Dominion’s fourth-ranked Chris Mecate.

5. Zain Retherford, Penn State, 141 pounds, 18-0, 3 pins, 2 TF, 4 MD

The true freshman, who upset Ohio State’s two-time champ Logan Stieber in December, is not scheduled to meet another Top-10 ranked wrestler until Feb. 9 when Penn State visits Minnesota and No. 5-ranked Chris Dardanes.

6. James Green, Nebraska, 157 pounds, 21-0, 4 pins, 3 TF, 5 MD

The two-time All-American, who upset Iowa’s Derek St. John in last year’s Big Ten semifinal, will get another crack at the top-ranked Hawkeye this Saturday, Jan. 18, at home.

7. Adam Coon, Michigan, Heavyweight, 21-0, 6 pins, 0 TF, 2 MD

After winning both the Vegas and Midlands championships, the true freshman from Fowlerville, Mich., should get his biggest challenge of the season this Sunday, Jan. 19, when the Wolverines entertain Minnesota and the Gophers’ two-time defending national champion Anthony Nelson.

8. Jimmy Sheptock, Maryland, 184 pounds, 19-0, 4 pins, 4 TF, 4 MD

The two-time ACC champion is making his final run through the conference and his Jan. 31 meeting against Virginia’s Jon Fausey is expected to be his biggest competition before the post-season.

The ASICS Race for the Hodge Trophy Update ranks the contenders for the 2014 WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy, presented by ASICS. The rankings are compiled from the current season’s numbers through January 12 and based on dominance and the total number of matches.

Like the Heisman Trophy, the official selection is made by the 44-person Hodge Voting Committee, which is made up of all former Hodge winners, some members of the national wrestling media, retired college coaches from different regions of the country, a representative from a number of national wrestling organizations and two votes from a composite fan vote through WIN’s website.

The official announcement is made the week following the 2014 NCAA Division I Championships, which will be held in Oklahoma City, March 20-22.