University of Minnesota Athletics
Whatever it Takes: Sophomore Wrestler Matt Nagel
1/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
As a redshirt freshman, the prospects of Nagel starting at his ideal weight of 157 were less than realistic as Luke Becker was well on his way to becoming a four-time All-American for Minnesota. Nagel's opportunity would come in the 174 and 184 weight classes.
Despite the challenges, Nagel made the most of the experience and is looking for it to pay off this season as he moves back to 157.
"Last year was pretty difficult for me with the size difference," Nagel said. "But in the long run, getting the experience, getting into the lineup and traveling with the team will no doubt help me this season."
While the native of Frazee, Minn., admits he's off to a slow start with an 8-6 record, he has climbed to No. 13 in the latest Amateur Wrestling News rankings. Nagel began the season with a third-place finish at the Harold Nichols Open.
If history is any indicator, Nagel's early season struggles are just a blip on the radar. Last season, he finished 10-3 at 157 pounds and even fashioned a 4-0 record in dual meets in place of Becker. Even with his success at 157, the effort he put forth at the heavier weights were what really impressed the Golden Gopher coaching staff.
"I think Matt made a lot of sacrifices for the team last season," assistant coach Joe Russell said. "He experienced some tough losses, but as we move forward to this year, we're expecting big things from him. With all of the new faces in our lineup, the fact that he's already a experienced a Big Ten Tournament is a big bonus for us."
One of just five returning wrestlers that were in the lineup for last year's run to a third-straight Big Ten Championship, Nagel knows that despite being a sophomore, he is a veteran on a very young squad.
"I've learned a lot from the older guys on the team like Damion (Hahn) and Jacob (Volkmann)," Nagel said. "They've showed me the way through hard work and I'm trying to do the same for the new guys."
The new guys include a recruiting class that consists of 14 true freshmen. Their efforts thus far have not been lost on Nagel. "A lot of people don't see what they do every day in practice," Nagel commented. "If we don't have strong practice partners, we're not going to wrestle as well as we are capable of. Having them in the room to challenge us every day will no doubt help us as we get into the Big Ten season."
While the recruiting class, ranked number one in the nation, brings in impressive credentials, few could match Nagel's resume' out of Frazee High School. Led by Clay Nagel, his father and high school coach, Nagel won a remarkable five state high school championships with an overall record of 217-18. The wrestling gene was also passed on to Nagel's older brother, Travis, who was a two-time Division II All-American at Moorhead State University.
"Both my dad and brother have been a tremendous influence on me," Nagel said. "My dad has showed me the way in everything, not just on the wrestling mat. He's just been a huge part of my life. My brother always set a high standard for me so I always had something to strive for."
Nagel is hoping to experience the same kind of success in college as he did in high school. There's already one similarity. As an undersized seventh grader, Nagel struggled to reach a .500 record and didn't qualify for the state championship. That was followed by one of the most remarkable careers in state history.
"Once I hit eighth grade, I think I hit my growth spurt," Nagel recalled. "Getting stronger and finally being able to compete against wrestlers my own size, I was able to put together a good career."
While his career at Minnesota is still in the early stages, Nagel's performance this season, along with the new faces in the lineup, will determine what kind of season lies ahead.
"We know what kind of results we are going to get from Damion, Jacob and Bobbe (Lowe)," Russell said. "While there are new faces in our lineup, we have guys like Matt and Josh (McLay) that fought through a Big Ten season last year. It's fair to say that they are a key to the season."
Consider Nagel up for the challenge. Whatever it takes.
Written by Assistant Media Relations Director and Wrestling Contact John Romo.
Sophomore Matt Nagel was presented with a golden opportunity last season - the chance to be in the starting lineup for the defending NCAA Champion Golden Gophers. Of course, there was a catch. He'd have to compete against athletes 20-30 pounds heavier than himself.
As a redshirt freshman, the prospects of Nagel starting at his ideal weight of 157 were less than realistic as Luke Becker was well on his way to becoming a four-time All-American for Minnesota. Nagel's opportunity would come in the 174 and 184 weight classes.
Despite the challenges, Nagel made the most of the experience and is looking for it to pay off this season as he moves back to 157.
"Last year was pretty difficult for me with the size difference," Nagel said. "But in the long run, getting the experience, getting into the lineup and traveling with the team will no doubt help me this season."
While the native of Frazee, Minn., admits he's off to a slow start with an 8-6 record, he has climbed to No. 13 in the latest Amateur Wrestling News rankings. Nagel began the season with a third-place finish at the Harold Nichols Open.
If history is any indicator, Nagel's early season struggles are just a blip on the radar. Last season, he finished 10-3 at 157 pounds and even fashioned a 4-0 record in dual meets in place of Becker. Even with his success at 157, the effort he put forth at the heavier weights were what really impressed the Golden Gopher coaching staff.
"I think Matt made a lot of sacrifices for the team last season," assistant coach Joe Russell said. "He experienced some tough losses, but as we move forward to this year, we're expecting big things from him. With all of the new faces in our lineup, the fact that he's already a experienced a Big Ten Tournament is a big bonus for us."
One of just five returning wrestlers that were in the lineup for last year's run to a third-straight Big Ten Championship, Nagel knows that despite being a sophomore, he is a veteran on a very young squad.
"I've learned a lot from the older guys on the team like Damion (Hahn) and Jacob (Volkmann)," Nagel said. "They've showed me the way through hard work and I'm trying to do the same for the new guys."
The new guys include a recruiting class that consists of 14 true freshmen. Their efforts thus far have not been lost on Nagel. "A lot of people don't see what they do every day in practice," Nagel commented. "If we don't have strong practice partners, we're not going to wrestle as well as we are capable of. Having them in the room to challenge us every day will no doubt help us as we get into the Big Ten season."
While the recruiting class, ranked number one in the nation, brings in impressive credentials, few could match Nagel's resume' out of Frazee High School. Led by Clay Nagel, his father and high school coach, Nagel won a remarkable five state high school championships with an overall record of 217-18. The wrestling gene was also passed on to Nagel's older brother, Travis, who was a two-time Division II All-American at Moorhead State University.
"Both my dad and brother have been a tremendous influence on me," Nagel said. "My dad has showed me the way in everything, not just on the wrestling mat. He's just been a huge part of my life. My brother always set a high standard for me so I always had something to strive for."
Nagel is hoping to experience the same kind of success in college as he did in high school. There's already one similarity. As an undersized seventh grader, Nagel struggled to reach a .500 record and didn't qualify for the state championship. That was followed by one of the most remarkable careers in state history.
"Once I hit eighth grade, I think I hit my growth spurt," Nagel recalled. "Getting stronger and finally being able to compete against wrestlers my own size, I was able to put together a good career."
While his career at Minnesota is still in the early stages, Nagel's performance this season, along with the new faces in the lineup, will determine what kind of season lies ahead.
"We know what kind of results we are going to get from Damion, Jacob and Bobbe (Lowe)," Russell said. "While there are new faces in our lineup, we have guys like Matt and Josh (McLay) that fought through a Big Ten season last year. It's fair to say that they are a key to the season."
Consider Nagel up for the challenge. Whatever it takes.
Written by Assistant Media Relations Director and Wrestling Contact John Romo.
