A "Kut" Above

By Hannah Edwards '20, Lehigh Sports Communications

Jordan Kutler has a fierce fire to compete in everything he does.

He competes on the mat, in the classroom and in something as miniscule as a card game.

That's just how he lives his life.

Kutler's internal fire started during his freshman year of high school, wrestling for Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey.

After picking up a few tough wins at a big tournament and increasing his amount of takedowns each day at practice, he felt propelled to do more.

"It was just that constant fuel on the fire," Kutler said. "Go get it. Go chase your dreams. Go work hard."

This fire has been continuously burning and growing throughout the years, especially as he begins his season as a fifth-year for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks.

Kutler prides himself on doing everything in his power to win – in academics, in competition and in practice.

Academically, Kutler received a Bachelor's of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience, posting a 3.3 GPA and is currently working on his master's degree in Technical Entrepreneurship.

He's always trying to learn something new and work harder than his peers in the classroom to gain a competitive edge, and he is dedicated to excelling in the little things.

Athletically, Kutler listens to his body, intakes a healthy diet and gets more sleep.

All of these small aspects of his life have allowed him to feel stronger, crisper in his technique and provided more energy throughout his day. They have also allowed him to compete and train more effectively.

"I try to rub off on other guys on the team to train with a purpose and to make yourself exhausted. When you're exhausted, then compete. Put yourself in those really uncomfortable situations, then bring out your competitive side," Kutler said. "The time to go get it and be really hungry is the time you don't feel like doing it."

Kuter's internal drive, constant push and competitiveness has allowed him to win multiple All-American honors, EIWA titles and NWCA academic awards.

According to head coach Pat Santoro, Kutler has achieved success by always doing the right thing and consistently working hard in everything he does.

"He just lives his life the right way," Santoro said. "If you climb the mountain in one thing, you want to climb in other things, and that's the principle he uses."

This success has embedded a love for winning inside of Kutler.

It has also rooted a strong hatred for losing.

Entering his senior season with a career record of 66-12, Kutler hasn't lost often. But when he did, it was against wrestlers who were ranked in the top five in the country.

According to Kutler, he almost feels like he wants to stop wrestling after a loss because of how bad it feels internally. However, he looks at these losses as learning experiences to get better and move towards the top.

These competitive losses have fueled his ultimate goal of becoming a national champion.

And he's so close.

According to Santoro, Kutler has some of the best positioning he has ever coached in the country, and his style is almost like a senior-level Olympic wrestler.

Once he opens up a little bit more, Santoro believes he'll win a national championship.

Coming into this season, Kutler is ranked second in the country and is confident about his abilities to be the best.

"I know I'm good enough to be at the top of the podium," Kutler said. "I just have to make it happen."

National Champion or not, Kutler has found his passion of competition in the workplace by securing a job with Nova Surgical, an orthopedic medical device company, as a sales representative.

The job is a hustle due to constant competition against people from other orthopedic medical device companies all trying to do the same thing – convince doctors to use their products.

Kutler is unsure if he'll enter the workforce after this year or continue to train for the Wrestling World Championships and the United States Olympic Team.

As much as Kutler would like to lengthen his career, he said multiple injuries may be holding him back.

"I love wrestling. I've been doing it since I was five years old," Kutler said. "But when I wake up in the morning, it takes me a couple extra minutes to get up and get going because I'm beat up."

In whatever path he chooses, Santoro is confident that he will excel.

"He has to listen to his body and see how it feels, and I know he's going to be extremely successful no matter what," Santoro said. "That's just who he is."

Better me Better We

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 21, 2026 , , 16th, 26.5 pts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 21, 2026 , , 16th, 26.5 ptts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 20, 2026 , , 16th, 22 pts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 20, 2026 , , 12th, 22 pts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 19, 2026 , , 12th, 13 pts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 19, 2026 , , 11th, 8.5 pts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at EIWA Championships on March 7, 2026 , , 1st, 163.5 pts.

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