By Michael DeMuro ’27

In April, Luke Lilledahl ’24 and alumna Kennedy Blades ’22 were accepted to the Olympic Trials for wrestling. This prestigious honor did not go unrecognized by the Sem community. As a current student, Lilledahl’s peers had a send-off at the Sprague alleyway.

At the trial, Lilledahl placed 5th overall. When asked about his experience, Lilledahl said, “It was really fun […] being able to see players I’ve looked up to and how they prepare and wrestle.” When the Olympics return in 4 years, Lilledahl plans on trying again, and then again after that, until he reaches his goal.

Blades won first place at 76 kg in the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials. At just 20, Kennedy, a second-place finisher when she was 17 at the Olympic Team Trials in 2021, is among the youngest wrestlers on the women’s or men’s teams.

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games begin in just over two months, scheduled from July 26 through August 11. #GoBlueKnights