University of Minnesota Athletics
Carrying His Weight: Junior Wrestler Matt Nagel
12/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
For Nagel, that's old hat. Since coming to the "U," Nagel has made every sacrifice necessary to ensure the success and tradition of Golden Gopher wrestling continues. In 2002-03, Nagel saw action at 157, 165, 174 and 184 pounds, a feat that is virtually unheard of. Nagel feels 165 pounds is where he can perform the best, but because of his tremendous skill, combined with a roster void of any true 184-pound wrestlers, Nagel was asked to wrestle against guys 20 pounds heavier than him.
"I just wanted to get some mat time, have some competition. I wanted to get out there and see what it (college wrestling) was all about," the five-time Minnesota State High School champion said.
Despite having a weight, strength and leverage disadvantage, Nagel still fared admirably against much bigger opponents. He earned his first victory at 184 against Jeff Clemons of then No. 15-ranked Michigan State. Nagel's record (15-17) wasn't as polished as he would have liked because of the weight class changes, but he still boasted a 10-3 record in the 157 class. For his team-first attitude and selflessness, Nagel was voted the 2002-03 Outstanding Freshman Award. The Frazee, Minn., native was honored to receive the award because it was decided by his coaches and fellow wrestlers. But while the title of outstanding freshman is nice, he won't be satisfied until the title All-American or national champion accompany his name, Nagel said.
With the departure of All-American Luke Becker after the 2002-03 season, Nagel would have to concentrate on the 157-pound weight class. Not only did this mean filling the shoes of an NCAA Champion and four-time All-American, but it also meant he would have to lose the weight he gained a year before and adjust to wrestling at his natural weight. It was a challenge that the Golden Gopher coaches felt Nagel could handle.
"Keeping Matt at 157 certainly gave him a better chance to be successful last season," head coach J Robinson said. "He performed well at that weight as a freshman so we knew he would be capable. The tough losses he experienced that year at the heavier weights no doubt made him a better wrestler."
Now Nagel had to worry about eating right and exercising while still trying to focus on wrestling and weight training. Nagel soon realized that losing weight affected him mentally as well as physically. He found his stamina began to diminish, he didn't feel as strong as he once did and he needed a boost of confidence.
"Coming into the season, I didn't expect to have to lose that much weight. It was definitely more of a challenge than I expected. I couldn't just focus on my wrestling and getting better. I kept having to worry about my weight, I had to really watch it," Nagel said.
As the season progressed, Nagel began to feel more comfortable in the weight class, which in turn gave him the confidence he needed to have success. He boasted wins against top-20 opponents and was ranked as high as No 13 nationally during the season. Though it was difficult at first, Nagel's sacrifice and hard work paid dividends as Nagel qualified for his first NCAA Tournament.
Again this year, Nagel has been asked to wrestle at a different weight, 165 pounds. As always, Nagel is a shining example of what it means to do whatever it takes to help the team win. Nagel experienced success at 157 lbs, but wasn't hesitant to move up to 165. So far, it's paid off with a 12-2 record and a No. 10 ranking.
"I knew that if I moved up to 165, I could wrestle just as well," Nagel said. "When I wrestled at 157, I would worry about getting tired because I didn't have enough energy. But when I'm strong, that's when I wrestle my best, when I can wear down my opponents. If anything, I think the move was a confidence boost, there was no fear at all, I was really excited."
Nagel enters the season feeling stronger than ever and confident he can return to the NCAA tournament. While he continues to improve as a wrestler, Nagel must also focus on a new responsibility, that of team captain.
"This whole season has been different for me just because of the fact that now I am a captain. Now the younger guys look up to me and it's changed my attitude about how I work and how I present myself," Nagel said.
The U has had a long, proud tradition of having excellent wrestling captains. Damion Hahn, Jared Lawrence, Luke Becker have have all set the bar about as high as it goes. It's a challenge, but also an honor to live up to these great captains of the past.
Now that the season is underway, Nagel can successfully do what he came to the U to do. While Nagel thrives on reaching his individual goals, he says the reason he came to Minnesota was to keep alive the storied tradition of the Golden Gopher wrestling past.
"I'm from Minnesota, it's a home-state deal. You want to keep the program going, you want to help them do well. When I was going through the recruiting process, Minnesota was doing awesome and I just wanted to be part of the atmosphere the tradition of a national championship team," Nagel said.
For some reason, that isn't surprising, Nagel is always concerned about the helping the team succeed. And if the coaches ask him to wrestle 125 pounds or heavyweight, could he pull that off too?
"I'll do it," Nagel said.
I'm sure he will.
Written by Kevin A. Morales III, athletic communications student assistant It's not very often you hear guys comment about having to lose weight. Generally, guys don't worry too much about counting calories, exercising and controlling their weight. Amongst wrestlers, weight is a big issue, but most still don't have to worry about losing (and subsequently gaining) as much weight as junior Matt Nagel.
For Nagel, that's old hat. Since coming to the "U," Nagel has made every sacrifice necessary to ensure the success and tradition of Golden Gopher wrestling continues. In 2002-03, Nagel saw action at 157, 165, 174 and 184 pounds, a feat that is virtually unheard of. Nagel feels 165 pounds is where he can perform the best, but because of his tremendous skill, combined with a roster void of any true 184-pound wrestlers, Nagel was asked to wrestle against guys 20 pounds heavier than him.
"I just wanted to get some mat time, have some competition. I wanted to get out there and see what it (college wrestling) was all about," the five-time Minnesota State High School champion said.
Despite having a weight, strength and leverage disadvantage, Nagel still fared admirably against much bigger opponents. He earned his first victory at 184 against Jeff Clemons of then No. 15-ranked Michigan State. Nagel's record (15-17) wasn't as polished as he would have liked because of the weight class changes, but he still boasted a 10-3 record in the 157 class. For his team-first attitude and selflessness, Nagel was voted the 2002-03 Outstanding Freshman Award. The Frazee, Minn., native was honored to receive the award because it was decided by his coaches and fellow wrestlers. But while the title of outstanding freshman is nice, he won't be satisfied until the title All-American or national champion accompany his name, Nagel said.
With the departure of All-American Luke Becker after the 2002-03 season, Nagel would have to concentrate on the 157-pound weight class. Not only did this mean filling the shoes of an NCAA Champion and four-time All-American, but it also meant he would have to lose the weight he gained a year before and adjust to wrestling at his natural weight. It was a challenge that the Golden Gopher coaches felt Nagel could handle.
"Keeping Matt at 157 certainly gave him a better chance to be successful last season," head coach J Robinson said. "He performed well at that weight as a freshman so we knew he would be capable. The tough losses he experienced that year at the heavier weights no doubt made him a better wrestler."
Now Nagel had to worry about eating right and exercising while still trying to focus on wrestling and weight training. Nagel soon realized that losing weight affected him mentally as well as physically. He found his stamina began to diminish, he didn't feel as strong as he once did and he needed a boost of confidence.
"Coming into the season, I didn't expect to have to lose that much weight. It was definitely more of a challenge than I expected. I couldn't just focus on my wrestling and getting better. I kept having to worry about my weight, I had to really watch it," Nagel said.
As the season progressed, Nagel began to feel more comfortable in the weight class, which in turn gave him the confidence he needed to have success. He boasted wins against top-20 opponents and was ranked as high as No 13 nationally during the season. Though it was difficult at first, Nagel's sacrifice and hard work paid dividends as Nagel qualified for his first NCAA Tournament.
Again this year, Nagel has been asked to wrestle at a different weight, 165 pounds. As always, Nagel is a shining example of what it means to do whatever it takes to help the team win. Nagel experienced success at 157 lbs, but wasn't hesitant to move up to 165. So far, it's paid off with a 12-2 record and a No. 10 ranking.
"I knew that if I moved up to 165, I could wrestle just as well," Nagel said. "When I wrestled at 157, I would worry about getting tired because I didn't have enough energy. But when I'm strong, that's when I wrestle my best, when I can wear down my opponents. If anything, I think the move was a confidence boost, there was no fear at all, I was really excited."
Nagel enters the season feeling stronger than ever and confident he can return to the NCAA tournament. While he continues to improve as a wrestler, Nagel must also focus on a new responsibility, that of team captain.
"This whole season has been different for me just because of the fact that now I am a captain. Now the younger guys look up to me and it's changed my attitude about how I work and how I present myself," Nagel said.
The U has had a long, proud tradition of having excellent wrestling captains. Damion Hahn, Jared Lawrence, Luke Becker have have all set the bar about as high as it goes. It's a challenge, but also an honor to live up to these great captains of the past.
Now that the season is underway, Nagel can successfully do what he came to the U to do. While Nagel thrives on reaching his individual goals, he says the reason he came to Minnesota was to keep alive the storied tradition of the Golden Gopher wrestling past.
"I'm from Minnesota, it's a home-state deal. You want to keep the program going, you want to help them do well. When I was going through the recruiting process, Minnesota was doing awesome and I just wanted to be part of the atmosphere the tradition of a national championship team," Nagel said.
For some reason, that isn't surprising, Nagel is always concerned about the helping the team succeed. And if the coaches ask him to wrestle 125 pounds or heavyweight, could he pull that off too?
"I'll do it," Nagel said.
I'm sure he will.
Written by Kevin A. Morales III, athletic communications student assistant
