{{Short description|American wrestler (born 2005)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox sportsperson | headercolor = gold | name = Luke Lilledahl | image = | image_size = | caption = | nationality = | fullname = Luke Joseph Lilledahl | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2005|08|01}} | birth_place = Weldon Spring, Missouri, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | hometown = | height = | weight = {{convert|57|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | country = {{USA}} | sport = Wrestling | event = Freestyle and Folkstyle | collegeteam = | club = Nittany Lion Wrestling Club | rank = | coach = Cael Sanderson | pb = | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport | Men's freestyle wrestling}} {{Medal|Country| the {{USA}}}} {{MedalCompetition| Grand Prix }} {{MedalGold|2025 Budapest|57 kg}} {{Medal|Bronze| 2023 New York City | 57 kg }} {{MedalCompetition| US National Championships }} {{Medal|Gold| 2025 Las Vegas | 57 kg }} {{Medal|Competition| World U23 Championships }} {{Medal|Gold| 2025 Novi Sad | 57 kg }} {{MedalCompetition| U20 World Championships }} {{Medal|Gold| 2024 Pontevedra | 57 kg }} {{Medal|Silver| 2023 Amman | 57 kg }} {{MedalCompetition| U17 World Championships }} {{Medal|Gold| 2022 Rome | 51 kg }} {{Medal|Silver| 2021 Budapest | 48 kg }} {{Medal|Competition| U23 Pan American Championships }} {{Medal|Gold| 2025 Queretaro | 57 kg }} {{Medal|Competition|U20 Pan American Championships }} {{Medal|Gold|2024 Lima| 57 kg }} {{Medal|Gold|2023 Santiago| 57 kg }} {{Medal|Sport | Men's collegiate wrestling}} {{Medal|Country | the}} Penn State Nittany Lions {{Medal|Competition| NCAA Division I Championships }} {{Medal|Gold| 2026 Cleveland | 125 lb }} {{Medal|Bronze| 2025 Philadelphia | 125 lb }} {{Medal|Competition| Big Ten Championships }} {{Medal|Gold| 2026 State College | 125 lb}} {{Medal|Gold| 2025 Evanston | 125 lb}} | show-medals = yes }} '''Luke Joseph Lilledahl''' (born August 1, 2005) is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at 57 kilograms and 125 pounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luke Lilledahl - 2024-25 Wrestling |url=https://gopsusports.com/sports/wrestling/roster/player/luke-lilledahl |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Penn State - Official Athletics Website |language=en-US}}</ref> In freestyle, he was the 2025 U23 World champion, the 2024 U20 World champion and the 2022 U17 World champion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-26 |title=Penn State's Luke Lilledahl Makes USA Wrestling History |url=https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/wrestling/penn-state-luke-lilledahl-makes-usa-wrestling-history |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Penn State Nittany Lions On SI |language=en-US}}</ref>
Competing out of the Pennsylvania State University, Lilledahl was an undefeated NCAA Division I National champion, as well as a Big Ten Conference champion during the 2025–2026 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet the 2025 DI men's NCAA wrestling All-Americans {{!}} NCAA.com |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2025-03-22/meet-2025-di-mens-ncaa-wrestling-all-americans |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=www.ncaa.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Career ==
=== High school ===
==== 2020–2024 ==== Born and raised in Missouri, Lilledahl went on to attend Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, where he became a 2021 MSHSAA state champion as a freshman.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-09 |title=St. Charles Native, Luke Lilledahl, Wins U20 World Gold to Cap Monumental Day for U.S. Men’s Freestyle - MissouriWrestling.com |url=https://www.missouriwrestling.com/st-charles-native-luke-lilledahl-wins-u20-world-gold-to-cap-monumental-day-for-u-s-mens-freestyle/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> After becoming a U17 World medalist, he moved to Wyoming Seminary, where he graduated in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Finn |first=Mike |date=2024-05-31 |title=Lilledahl of Wyoming Sem named Junior Hodge Trophy winner |url=https://www.win-magazine.com/2024/05/31/missouri-native-lilledahl-followed-his-coach-to-wyoming-sem-and-a-junior-hodge-trophy/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=WIN Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> During his time in high school in Pennsylvania, he became a three-time Pennsylvania Independent Schools Wrestling Tournament champion, a two-time National Prep champion, a U17 World champion and a U20 World medalist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-15 |title=Shapiro becomes U20 World Champion as U.S. goes five-for-five on freestyle medals |url=https://www.themat.com/news/2023/august/15/shapiro-becomes-u20-world-champion-as-u-s-goes-five-for-five-on-freestyle-medals |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=www.themat.com |language=en}}</ref> He committed to wrestle at Pennsylvania State University in April 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spey |first=Andrew |date=2023-04-10 |title=#2 Luke Lilledahl Commits To Penn State |url=https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/10869552-2-luke-lilledahl-commits-to-penn-state |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=FloWrestling |language=en}}</ref>
Still in high school, Lilledahl placed third at the 2023 Bill Farrell Memorial International in his senior level debut in November, only falling to three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-02 |title=2024 U.S. U20 Men’s freestyle World Team Bios |url=https://www.themat.com/news/2024/september/02/2024-u-s-u20-men-s-freestyle-world-team-bios |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=www.themat.com |language=en}}</ref>
A month later, he went on to qualify for the 2024 US Olympic Trials, with a fifth-place finish at the US National Championships in December 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-09 |title=Olympic Trials Preview: Three World medalists headline talented and wide-open 57 kg men’s bracket |url=https://www.themat.com/news/2024/april/09/olympic-trials-preview-three-world-medalists-headline-talented-and-wide-open-57-kg-men-s-bracket |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=www.themat.com |language=en}}</ref> In April 2024, Lilledahl went 2–2 at the US Olympic Team Trials.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-28 |title=Lilledahl, Blaze lead experienced men’s freestyle team at U20 World Championships |url=https://www.themat.com/news/2024/august/28/lilledahl-blaze-lead-experienced-men-s-freestyle-team-at-u20-world-championships |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=www.themat.com |language=en}}</ref> === Pennsylvania State University ===
==== 2024–2025 ==== After winning the U20 US World Team Trials in June, Lilledahl went on to become the U20 World champion at 57 kilograms in September 2024 before his freshman season at Penn State.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-07 |title=Lilledahl scores U20 World gold to punctuate monumental day for U.S. men’s freestyle |url=https://www.themat.com/news/2024/september/07/lilledahl-scores-u20-world-gold-to-punctuate-monumental-day-for-u-s-men-s-freestyle |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=www.themat.com |language=en}}</ref>
Competing as a true freshman at 125 pounds, Lilledahl claimed the Black Knight Open title and went 13–2 in dual action for the Nittany Lions during regular season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bray |first=David |date=2024-11-24 |title=Penn State Wrestling Results At The 2024 Black Knight Invitational |url=https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/13084305-penn-state-wrestling-results-at-the-2024-black-knight-invitational |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=FloWrestling |language=en}}</ref> He then claimed the Big Ten Conference title, before securing a third-place finish and All-American status at the NCAA National tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smeltzer |first=Joe |date=2025-03-22 |title=Penn State Wrestling: Lilledahl, Davis Put Team Near History {{!}} NSN |url=https://nittanysportsnow.com/2025/03/lilledahl-davis-put-penn-state-wrestling-on-the-brink-of-history/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Nittany Sports Now |language=en-US}}</ref>
Back to freestyle, Lilledahl claimed the gold medal at the U23 Pan American Championships in April 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-13 |title=U.S. earns eight golds in men’s freestyle, wins team title at U23 Pan American Championships |url=https://www.themat.com/news/2025/april/12/u-s-earns-eight-golds-in-men-s-freestyle-wins-team-title-at-u23-pan-american-championships |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=www.themat.com |language=en}}</ref> Weeks later, he became the US National champion at 57 kilograms, claiming four wins over fellow Americans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kozak |first=Jon |date=2025-04-27 |title=2025 US Open Wrestling Results - Senior-Level |url=https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14116468-2025-us-open-wrestling-results-senior-level |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=FloWrestling |language=en}}</ref> As the winner of the tournament, Lilledahl qualified for Final X, where he faced returning Olympic finalist Spencer Lee for the US World Team spot in June.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-06 |title=Lee, Lilledahl to meet at 57 kg in men’s freestyle at 2025 Final X in Newark, N.J. |url=https://www.themat.com/news/2025/may/06/lee-lilledahl-to-square-off-at-57-kg-in-men-s-freestyle-2025-final-x-in-newark-n-j- |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=www.themat.com |language=en}}</ref> He lost two bouts in a row to claim runner-up honors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKown |first=Eli |title=Final X: Spencer Lee, Real Woods, David Carr and several Iowa women make Senior World team |url=https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/wrestling/2025/06/14/final-x-senior-world-wrestling-team-recap-spencer-lee-kennedy-blades-david-carr-kylie-welker/84130526007/ |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=Hawk Central |language=en-US}}</ref>
Lilledahl won the 2026 US Open at 57 kilograms, qualifying him for Final X in June.<ref name="k662">{{cite web | last=Ellis | first=R. R. | title=US Open Wrestling Finals Results 2026. Here's Every Champion | website=FloWrestling | date=April 25, 2026 | url=https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/15822592-us-open-wrestling-finals-results-2026-heres-every-champion | access-date=April 26, 2026}}</ref>
== Freestyle record == {{s-start}} ! colspan="7"| Senior Freestyle Matches |- ! Res. ! Record ! Opponent ! Score ! Date ! Event ! Location |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2026 US Open {{gold1}} at 57 kg}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |27–8 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Spencer Lee |style="font-size:88%"|5–4 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|April 24–25, 2026 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|2026 US Open National Championships |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=4| {{flagicon|USA}} Las Vegas, Nevada |- |{{yes2}}Win |26–8 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Liam Cronin |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- |{{yes2}}Win |25–8 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Antonio Mills |style="font-size:88%"|3–1 |- |{{yes2}}Win |24–8 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Natan A Cantu |style="font-size:88%"|TF 12–1 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2025 U23 World Championships {{gold1}} at 57 kg}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |23–8 |align=left|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuta Kikuchi |style="font-size:88%"|4–0 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|October 25-26, 2025 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|2025 U23 World Championships |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=4| {{flagicon|SRB}} Novi Sad, Serbia |- |{{yes2}}Win |22–8 |align=left|{{flagicon image|UWW Flag icon.png}} Aiandai Ondar |style="font-size:88%"|7–1 |- |{{yes2}}Win |21–8 |align=left|{{flagicon|IRI}} Milad Valizadeh |style="font-size:88%"|11–5 |- |{{yes2}}Win |20–8 |align=left|{{flagicon|CHN}} Liao Honghang |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- |{{no2}}Loss |19–8 |align=left|{{flagicon|RUS}} Musa Mekhtikhanov |style="font-size:88%"|5–8 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=1|Jul 21, 2025 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=1|PWL 9 |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=1| {{flagicon|HUN}} Budapest, Hungary |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small|2025 Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial Tournament {{gold1}} 57 kg}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |19–7 |align=left|{{flagicon|AZE}} Islam Bazarganov |style="font-size:88%"|3–1 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|Jul 17-20, 2025 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|2025 Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial Tournament |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=3| {{flagicon|HUN}} Budapest, Hungary |- |{{yes2}}Win |18–7 |align=left|{{flagicon|IND}} Rahul Rahul |style="font-size:88%"|7–6 |- |{{yes2}}Win |17–7 |align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} Niklas Stechele |style="font-size:88%"|4–2 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2025 US World Team Trials {{silver2}} at 57 kg}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |16–7 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Spencer Lee |style="font-size:88%"|0–6 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=2|June 14, 2025 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=2|2025 Final X |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=2| {{flagicon|USA}} Newark, New Jersey |- |{{no2}}Loss |16–6 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Spencer Lee |style="font-size:88%"|2–7 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2025 US Open {{gold1}} at 57 kg}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |16–5 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Liam Cronin |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|April 25–26, 2025 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|2025 US Open National Championships |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=4| {{flagicon|USA}} Las Vegas, Nevada |- |{{yes2}}Win |15–5 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Nico Provo |style="font-size:88%"|10–4 |- |{{yes2}}Win |14–5 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Brendan McCrone |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- |{{yes2}}Win |13–5 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Shamar Baines |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2025 U23 Pan American Championships {{gold1}} at 57 kg }} |- |{{yes2}}Win |{{n/a}} |align=left|{{flagicon|CAN}} Treye Trotman |style="font-size:88%"|FF |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|April 12, 2025 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|2025 U23 Pan American Championships |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=4| {{flagicon|MEX}} Queretaro, Mexico |- |{{yes2}}Win |12–5 |align=left|{{flagicon|VEN}} Jose Falcon |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- |{{yes2}}Win |11–5 |align=left|{{flagicon|CUB}} Danaury Rivalta |style="font-size:88%"|TF 11–0 |- |{{yes2}}Win |10–5 |align=left|{{flagicon|MEX}} Ricardo Peña |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2024 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 57 kg}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |9–5 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Marcus Blaze |style="font-size:88%"|1–5 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|April 19–20, 2024 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|2024 US Olympic Team Trials |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=4| {{flagicon|USA}} State College, Pennsylvania |- |{{yes2}}Win |9–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Liam Cronin |style="font-size:88%"|'''2'''–2 |- |{{no2}}Loss |8–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Zane Richards |style="font-size:88%"|3–5 |- |{{yes2}}Win |8–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Daniel DeShazer |style="font-size:88%"|3–2 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2023 US Nationals 5th at 57 kg}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |7–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Josh Rodriguez |style="font-size:88%"|4–2 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|December 15–17, 2023 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2023 US National Championships |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=5| {{flagicon|USA}} Fort Worth, Texas |- |{{no2}}Loss |6–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Daniel DeShazer |style="font-size:88%"|1–4 |- |{{no2}}Loss |6–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Nico Megaludis |style="font-size:88%"|TF 0–10 |- |{{yes2}}Win |6–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Brandon Courtney |style="font-size:88%"|6–2 |- |{{yes2}}Win |5–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Terrace Andrews |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2023 Bill Farrell Memorial International {{bronze3}} at 57 kg}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |4–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|PAK}} Muhammad Bilal |style="font-size:88%"|5–0 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|November 17–18, 2023 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2023 Bill Farrell Memorial International |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=5| {{flagicon|USA}} New York City, New York |- |{{yes2}}Win |3–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Daniel DeShazer |style="font-size:88%"|2–1 |- |{{no2}}Loss |2–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Spencer Lee |style="font-size:88%"|TF 0–11 |- |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Killian Delaney |style="font-size:88%"|11–4 |- |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|PUR}} Jacob Moran |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- {{end}}
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lilledahl, Luke}} Category:Living people Category:2005 births Category:American male sport wrestlers Category:People from St. Charles County, Missouri Category:Sportspeople from St. Charles County, Missouri Category:Wyoming Seminary alumni Category:Penn State Nittany Lions wrestlers Category:Amateur wrestlers Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:Pan American Wrestling Championships medalists