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Nebraska junior 157-pounder James Green is one of six wrestlers named as a front-runner for the 2014 WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy, presented by ASICS.
Green, a two-time All-American, holds the top ranking at 157 pounds in every major poll across the country and sits at 25-0 heading into this weekend. He has four pins, three technical falls and six major decisions to go along with six victories over ranked opponents this season. One of those wins was his 9-7 decision over defending national champion Derek St. John of Iowa on Jan. 18.
Green has also claimed three tournament titles in addition to his 11-0 dual record. He took home first place at the Warren Williamson/Daktronics Open (Nov. 3), Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational (Dec. 6-7) and Reno Tournament of Champions (Dec. 22).
Additional wrestlers on the Sensational Six list include Oklahoma’s Andrew Howe (174), Edinboro’s Mitchell Port (141), Penn State’s Zain Retherford (141), Maryland’s Jimmy Sheptock (184) and Penn State’s David Taylor (165).
A 44-member Hodge Voting Committee will select the 2014 winner and the announcement is set to be made the week after the NCAA Championships, which are March 20-22 in Oklahoma City, Okla. The committee consists of former Hodge winners, selected national wrestling media members, retired college coaches, a representative from a number of national wrestling organizations and two votes from a fan vote on WIN’s website.
Green and the No. 7 Huskers host No. 11 Michigan on Friday night at the Devaney Center. The dual starts at 7 p.m., and will be streamed on the Big Ten Digital Network. Friday night also marks Nebraska’s “Pepsi Pack the House” event and Senior Night.
Hodge Trophy Sensational Six (wrestlers listed alphabetically)
James Green (Nebraska, 157): 25-0, 4 pins, 3 tech. falls, 6 major dec.
Andrew Howe (Oklahoma, 174): 17-0, 5 pins, 4 tech. falls, 5 major dec.
Mitchell Port (Edinboro, 141): 21-0, 10 pins, 2 tech. falls, 3 major dec.
Zain Retherford (Penn State, 141): 23-0, 4 pins, 2 tech. falls, 7 major dec.
Jimmy Sheptock (Maryland, 184): 22-0, 4 pins, 4 tech. falls, 5 major dec.
David Taylor (Penn State, 165): 23-0, 11 pins, 7 tech. falls, 5 major dec.