Luke Lilledahl
American wrestler (born 2005)
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Luke Joseph Lilledahl (born August 1, 2005) is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at 57 kilograms and 125 pounds.[1] In freestyle, he was the 2025 U23 World champion, the 2024 U20 World champion and the 2022 U17 World champion.[2]
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| Full name | Luke Joseph Lilledahl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | August 1, 2005 Weldon Spring, Missouri, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 57 kg (126 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country | United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Events | Freestyle and Folkstyle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Nittany Lion Wrestling Club | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Cael Sanderson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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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.[3]
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.[4] After becoming a U17 World medalist, he moved to Wyoming Seminary, where he graduated in 2024.[5] 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.[6] He committed to wrestle at Pennsylvania State University in April 2023.[7]
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.[8]
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.[9] In April 2024, Lilledahl went 2–2 at the US Olympic Team Trials.[10]
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.[11]
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.[12] He then claimed the Big Ten Conference title, before securing a third-place finish and All-American status at the NCAA National tournament.[13]
Back to freestyle, Lilledahl claimed the gold medal at the U23 Pan American Championships in April 2025.[14] Weeks later, he became the US National champion at 57 kilograms, claiming four wins over fellow Americans.[15] 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.[16] He lost two bouts in a row to claim runner-up honors.[17]
Lilledahl won the 2026 US Open at 57 kilograms, qualifying him for Final X in June.[18]
