University of Minnesota Athletics
Black History Month: Keith Nix
2/23/2021 7:28:00 AM | Wrestling
Keith Nix accomplished many firsts as a Golden Gopher freshman in 1988.
Not only did he become Minnesota's first Black All-American wrestler, he also became the first freshman in program history to reach the NCAA title match. The Tulsa, Okla., native arrived on campus and quickly took the college wrestling world by storm. He went 37-4 on the season at 118 pounds. He won 18-straight bouts toward the end of the season, including a win over Northwestern's Jack Griffin in the Big Ten title match, avenging his only conference loss of the season. He ran through the NCAA bracket at 118 pounds before losing 11-5 in the NCAA championship match to Jack Cuvo of East Stroudsburg. Nix was named the 1988 NCAA Freshman of the Year after his incredible performance.
Nix went 15-2 as a sophomore in 1989 and finished as the Big Ten runner-up while helping the Gophers to a runner-up finish at the conference championship. However, Nix suffered a knee injury that eventually ended his collegiate wrestling career.
Prior to his time at the U of M, Nix had a storied junior career, winning three Oklahoma state high school titles and represented the United States on the U.S. Junior National Team and won a gold medal at the Pan-American Games.
Not only did he become Minnesota's first Black All-American wrestler, he also became the first freshman in program history to reach the NCAA title match. The Tulsa, Okla., native arrived on campus and quickly took the college wrestling world by storm. He went 37-4 on the season at 118 pounds. He won 18-straight bouts toward the end of the season, including a win over Northwestern's Jack Griffin in the Big Ten title match, avenging his only conference loss of the season. He ran through the NCAA bracket at 118 pounds before losing 11-5 in the NCAA championship match to Jack Cuvo of East Stroudsburg. Nix was named the 1988 NCAA Freshman of the Year after his incredible performance.
Nix went 15-2 as a sophomore in 1989 and finished as the Big Ten runner-up while helping the Gophers to a runner-up finish at the conference championship. However, Nix suffered a knee injury that eventually ended his collegiate wrestling career.
Prior to his time at the U of M, Nix had a storied junior career, winning three Oklahoma state high school titles and represented the United States on the U.S. Junior National Team and won a gold medal at the Pan-American Games.
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