After ironman-like 2025-2026 season, Penn State wrestler PJ Duke sets his sights on what's next

To fully appreciate the last year of Penn State freshman PJ Duke’s wrestling career, you need to look at the dates, the competitions, and the finishing positions. Here’s a review:

March 1, 2025: Wins his fourth and final New York state title in the 170-pound weight class.

April 26, 2025: Wins the U20 U.S. open 70-kilogram (154.3 pounds) title

May 17, 2025: Wins 70-kilogram bracket at the Senior World Team Trials

May 30, 2025: Wins 70-kilogram bracket at the U20 World Team Trials to earn a spot on the U.S. team

June 14, 2025: Wins the U.S. Senior World 7-kilogram team spot at Final X

Aug. 18, 2025: Wins U20 World Title at 70 kilograms

Sept. 13, 2025: Finishes off the podium at the World Championships

Oct. 26, 2025: Finishes third at U23 World Championships

Nov. 23, 2025: Makes his Penn State debut at 157 pounds and wins an Army Black Knight Invitational title

Dec. 5, 2025: Wins his first Penn State dual meet bout by fall over Drexel’s Luke Nichter in 1:15

March 7, 2026: Wins his first Big Ten title

March 19, 2026: Finishes third at his first national tournament

If it seems absurd to win high school, international, and college wrestling titles over the course of 383 days, well, it is. But, that’s exactly what Duke did, managing to stay healthy through what was essentially three seasons back-to-back-to-back and rarely losing along the way.

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“My body feels great,” Duke said after beating Brandon Cannon of Ohio State in the third place match at NCAAs, according to FLO. “I think my training was a factor. Just keeping my body healthy. And the coaches, obviously, they’re the best in the world. They’re going to know what I need and when to rest and when to work. I’m just doing everything they say and try to keep my head down to work. I’m feeling healthy. I learned that obviously matches don’t go your way sometimes.

“And I think I honestly learned when I’m wrestling myself and going after my offense and stuff like that, that no one can compete. So I think the more wrestling that usually happens, it goes in my favor. So just creating offense and creating just wrestling is always beneficial in my end. So that’s something I definitely get to work on.”

Duke will now turn his attention to freestyle. It’s unclear what events he will compete in, nor at what weight he will do so. Asked if this was his last season at 157, the Penn State standout made clear that a decision has not been made yet, while adding that he found ways to manage his weight better during the second half of the year.

“I’m not 100% honestly,” Duke said. “I started to figure out things a lot better towards the end of the season. And, I felt great. So, not 100 percent. But, we’ll see.”

The Penn State freshman learned plenty during his ironman-like last year and change. And, regardless of what Duke does next on the mat, when he does it, and where, if we’ve learned anything, it’s that it will be appointment viewing.