Luke Lilledahl didn’t lose often in his true freshman season at Penn State-just three times, to be exact. But one of those losses stuck with him, even if he wasn’t outwardly focused on payback.
That loss came in a tight, low-scoring bout against a more experienced opponent, who edged him out 4-1. After the match, the winner-now known to be a bit more vocal-took to social media with a jab aimed not just at Lilledahl, but at Penn State as a whole. The tweet didn’t last long before it was deleted, but it added a little extra spice to what was already a competitive matchup.
Fast forward nearly a year, and the stage was set for a rematch-this time in one of college wrestling’s most electric venues, Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Lilledahl, now a Big Ten Champion and NCAA third-place finisher, was back on the mat.
And across from him? The same opponent, now wearing Iowa black and gold after transferring during the offseason.
But this wasn’t just a rematch-it was a statement.
Lilledahl, ranked No. 2 at 125 pounds, didn’t just beat No. 6-ranked Peterson-he controlled him. From the opening whistle, Lilledahl pushed the pace, scoring early and often en route to an 11-5 win that was just shy of a major decision. It was the kind of performance that speaks volumes-not just about talent, but about growth, maturity, and the ability to rise in big moments.
And yet, for Lilledahl, this wasn’t about revenge. At least, not in the traditional sense.
“I’m just looking forward to the environment there,” he told reporters earlier in the week. “Obviously, wrestling a guy that beat me previously, it’s pretty fun to wrestle him again, and I don’t want to say to get him back, but that’s kind of the way some people would look at it. I just look at it as another chance to show how much I have improved since the last time I wrestled him.”
That improvement was on full display. Where last year’s bout was tight and low-scoring, this time Lilledahl opened things up. He dictated tempo, countered effectively, and showed off the kind of offensive arsenal that makes him one of the most dangerous lightweights in the country.
This win wasn’t just about evening the score. It was a reminder that Lilledahl isn’t just a rising star-he’s already arrived. And if this performance is any indication, he's only getting better.