Penn State Wrestling Great Leaves Shoes on mat, Symbolizing Retirement

Originally posted on Nittany Sports Now | By Andy Stine | Last updated 4/20/24

University Park— It’s a day that all competitors, no matter the sport, probably dread once they know their careers are close to over, and that day came for a former Penn State wrestling star Saturday.

Mark Hall fell in consolation action to former North Carolina State wrestler Trent Hidlay, 9-4.

After the match, Hall took off his shoes, which signifies a wrestler’s retirement from the sport.

Mark Hall leaves his shoes on the mat. .

: @aaronmorekin pic.twitter.com/Lc2za37Ujy

— WrestlersGrind (@_wrestlersgrind) April 20, 2024

Hall was visibly emotional while walking out of the Bryce Jordan Center after a long, decorated career at Penn State.

Hall, 27, won a national championship and added two more runner-ups as a collegiate wrestler with PSU. He had a chance to win a second championship, but nationals were not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also won three Big Ten Championships.

As a freestyle wrestler, Hall won a gold medal at the 2018 Pan American Games, the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 U.S. Nationals.

Hall is now an assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania.

This article first appeared on Nittany Sports Now and was syndicated with permission.

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