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Penn State wrestling signee Marcus Blaze wins prestigious Dave Schultz National High School Excellence Award

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel04/30/25GregPickel
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Perrysburg's Marcus Blaze celebrates his win over St. Edwards’s Bradly Eaton on day three of the 2025 OHSAA State Wrestling Championships, Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus. (ANDREW DOLPH/TIMES-REPORTER / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Penn State wrestling incoming freshman Marcus Blaze has another honor to add to his already crowded trophy case. The Perrysburg, Ohio native is the 2025 Dave Schultz High School Excellence National Award winner. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced the news on Wednesday.

“Marcus should be incredibly proud of the remarkable accomplishments he’s achieved during his high school career,” National Wrestling Hall of Fame Executive Director Lee Roy Smith said in a news release. “His dedication on the wrestling mat, combined with his excellence in the classroom and commitment to his community, truly sets him apart.

“As the newest recipient of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, Marcus joins an elite group of young men whose achievements reflect the very best of our sport,” he added. “We look forward to seeing all that he will accomplish in the future as he continues to embody the values and spirit this award represents.”

Blaze is the first Penn State incoming freshman to win the honor since 2021. Now former Nittany Lion Alex Facundo (who is now at Oklahoma State) claimed it in 2021. Other Penn State wrestlers to earn the award right before starting their college careers include Mark Hall in 2016, Zain Retherford (2013), Morgan McIntosh (2011), and David Taylor (2009).

Blaze is also the award’s Midwest region and Ohio honoree this year. Fellow Class of 2025 teammate PJ Duke took the New York state honor. He is also the Northeast region award recipient.

More: Penn State wrestling results: How did the Lions fare at the U.S. Open? Here’s a rundown

For those who are just hearing of the prestigious award, here is a description of it from the NWHOF:

“The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz, whose career was cut short when he was murdered in January 1996. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997 and as a member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.

The DSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.”

Blaze is a four-time Ohio state champ. He projects to wrestle in either the 133- or 141-pound weight class (and likely the latter) at Penn State. The freshman-to-be leaves high school with a career mark of 200-2. He finished third at 61 kilograms (134 pounds) in the senior-level division at last weekend’s U.S. Open. Before that, he won a gold medal at the 2023 U17 World Championships. And, he took silver at the 2024 U20 World Championships. He also finished third at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

“I’m incredibly honored to receive the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award,” Blaze in a news release. “Dave Schultz was not only a phenomenal wrestler, but a phenomenal person.

“I am thankful for my family, coaches and friends. Grateful for all the opportunities and mentors I have today. Blessed for the moments God gives me,” he added. “Being recognized in Dave Schultz’s name means a lot to me and I’m really thankful, grateful and blessed.”

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