University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, November 22
Fargo, ND
6:00 PM
University of Minnesota
at
North Dakota State
Players Mentioned
157 lbs.
/ Wrestling
125 lbs.
/ Wrestling
157 lbs.
/ Wrestling
165 lbs.
/ Wrestling
149 lbs.
/ Wrestling
174 lbs.
/ Wrestling
133 lbs.
/ Wrestling
125 lbs.
/ Wrestling
141 lbs.
/ Wrestling
197 lbs.
/ Wrestling
141 lbs.
/ Wrestling
149 lbs.
/ Wrestling
149 lbs.
/ Wrestling
184 lbs.
/ Wrestling
285 lbs.
/ Wrestling
285 lbs.
/ Wrestling
141 lbs.
/ Wrestling
174 lbs.
/ Wrestling
133 lbs.
/ Wrestling
174 lbs.
/ Wrestling
174 lbs.
/ Wrestling
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Return of Steveson Highlights Multi-Dual Weekend
11/21/2024 5:45:00 PM | Wrestling
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota wrestling (1-0) is back in action this weekend with a pair of duals. First up is a trip to Fargo to face the North Dakota State Bison (0-2) on Friday night at 6 p.m. The matchup will be streamed on GoBison.com. The Gophers then return home Sunday as they face the Campbell Camels (1-3) for the first time. Match time is set for 1 p.m. with streaming coverage on B1G+.
Sunday is the much-anticipated return of Olympic gold medalist, two-time NCAA champion and two-time Hodge Trophy winner Gable Steveson, who announced his return on Nov. 12. Steveson has the opportunity to return by utilizing NCAA waivers due to an Olympic redshirt and the extra year of eligibility that was granted in 2020 due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19
Minnesota has won seven straight duals dating back to last season. During the current streak, Minnesota has outscored opponents 216-51 and hasn't allowed more than 12 points in any dual.
Minnesota heads into the match with a 1-0 record in duals this season, topping Bucknell last Friday, 35-3.
The Golden Gophers enter the weekend ranked eighth in Intermat's dual team rankings, while the NWCA Coaches Poll has the Gophers 10th. Intermat's tournament rankings put Minnesota fifth.
Ten Gopher wrestlers are ranked in at least two of the major polls with eight appearing in all four: Intermat, Win, Flo and OpenMat. Steveson is ranked No. 1 in all four polls, while returning All-Americans Isaiah Salazar and Vance VomBaur, plus 133-pounder Tyler Wells and 157-pound transfer Tommy Askey, are ranked in the top 10 of all four publications.
In addition to the two duals, the Gophers are sending six wrestlers to Saturday's Jim Koch Open at UW-Parkside, beginning at 9 a.m. Scheduled to compete are Blake Beissel (125), Dawson Johnson (141), Rhett Koenig (141), Jack Nelson (149), Silas Dailey (174) and Jed Wester (174).
SUNDAY PROMOTIONS
Sunday is the much-anticipated return of Olympic gold medalist, two-time NCAA champion and two-time Hodge Trophy winner Gable Steveson, who announced his return on Nov. 12. Steveson has the opportunity to return by utilizing NCAA waivers due to an Olympic redshirt and the extra year of eligibility that was granted in 2020 due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19
Minnesota has won seven straight duals dating back to last season. During the current streak, Minnesota has outscored opponents 216-51 and hasn't allowed more than 12 points in any dual.
Minnesota heads into the match with a 1-0 record in duals this season, topping Bucknell last Friday, 35-3.
The Golden Gophers enter the weekend ranked eighth in Intermat's dual team rankings, while the NWCA Coaches Poll has the Gophers 10th. Intermat's tournament rankings put Minnesota fifth.
Ten Gopher wrestlers are ranked in at least two of the major polls with eight appearing in all four: Intermat, Win, Flo and OpenMat. Steveson is ranked No. 1 in all four polls, while returning All-Americans Isaiah Salazar and Vance VomBaur, plus 133-pounder Tyler Wells and 157-pound transfer Tommy Askey, are ranked in the top 10 of all four publications.
In addition to the two duals, the Gophers are sending six wrestlers to Saturday's Jim Koch Open at UW-Parkside, beginning at 9 a.m. Scheduled to compete are Blake Beissel (125), Dawson Johnson (141), Rhett Koenig (141), Jack Nelson (149), Silas Dailey (174) and Jed Wester (174).
SUNDAY PROMOTIONS
Salute to Service: Gopher Wrestling honors all active duty and veteran service members. Military and veterans interested in free tickets can sign up for an account with Vet Tix and become verified to receive your free tickets.
Goldy's Kids Club: GKC Members receive a free ticket and discounts for their family. Stick around following the dual to get autographs from your favorite wrestlers after the dual.
Youth Day: Youth wrestlers can register for discounted tickets.
Alumni Day: Celebrate Gopher Wrestling Alumni in Maturi Pavilion. We are welcoming back all Minnesota Wrestling Alumni to the dual to be recognized at intermission.
Pre-Match Youth Clinic: Gopher Wrestling is hosting youth clinics again this year. For just $15, your child will receive a ticket to the dual and a chance to participate in a pre-match youth clinic taught by the Gophers. All participants must be 8th grade and under. Register at GopherSports.com.
FACING NORTH DAKOTA STATE
Minnesota is 21-2 all-time against North Dakota State, including 19 straight wins. The winning streak is the Gophers' longest active streak against one active program. The .913 all-time win percentage is Minnesota's best against current programs it has faced at least 15 times.
In Fargo, the Gophers are 10-0 all-time. That is the most wins without a loss in program history against one school on the road. In addition, the 10-match win streak is tied for its longest active streak with 10 wins in a row at Michigan State.
Minnesota has no North Dakotans on its roster, but the Bison have six Minnesota natives on the roster: junior Alex Kowalchyk (Andover; Coon Rapids HS), sophomores Adam Cherne (Medina; Wayzata HS), Brendan Howes (Ramsey; Anoka HS) and Max Petersen (Byronl; Byron HS), and freshmen Sean O'Brien (White Bear Lake; Totino-Grace HS) and Michael Olson (Albert Lea; Albert Lea HS).
In addition, Bison sophomore Devin Wasley spent the last two seasons at Minnesota, compiling a 16-11 record.
Gophers redshirt sophomore Clayton Whiting was teammates with NDSU's Peyton Moore the last two seasons at Missouri.
NDSU assistant coach Ceron Francisco competed for the Gopher Wrestling Club in 2020.
Goldy's Kids Club: GKC Members receive a free ticket and discounts for their family. Stick around following the dual to get autographs from your favorite wrestlers after the dual.
Youth Day: Youth wrestlers can register for discounted tickets.
Alumni Day: Celebrate Gopher Wrestling Alumni in Maturi Pavilion. We are welcoming back all Minnesota Wrestling Alumni to the dual to be recognized at intermission.
Pre-Match Youth Clinic: Gopher Wrestling is hosting youth clinics again this year. For just $15, your child will receive a ticket to the dual and a chance to participate in a pre-match youth clinic taught by the Gophers. All participants must be 8th grade and under. Register at GopherSports.com.
FACING NORTH DAKOTA STATE
Minnesota is 21-2 all-time against North Dakota State, including 19 straight wins. The winning streak is the Gophers' longest active streak against one active program. The .913 all-time win percentage is Minnesota's best against current programs it has faced at least 15 times.
In Fargo, the Gophers are 10-0 all-time. That is the most wins without a loss in program history against one school on the road. In addition, the 10-match win streak is tied for its longest active streak with 10 wins in a row at Michigan State.
Minnesota has no North Dakotans on its roster, but the Bison have six Minnesota natives on the roster: junior Alex Kowalchyk (Andover; Coon Rapids HS), sophomores Adam Cherne (Medina; Wayzata HS), Brendan Howes (Ramsey; Anoka HS) and Max Petersen (Byronl; Byron HS), and freshmen Sean O'Brien (White Bear Lake; Totino-Grace HS) and Michael Olson (Albert Lea; Albert Lea HS).
In addition, Bison sophomore Devin Wasley spent the last two seasons at Minnesota, compiling a 16-11 record.
Gophers redshirt sophomore Clayton Whiting was teammates with NDSU's Peyton Moore the last two seasons at Missouri.
NDSU assistant coach Ceron Francisco competed for the Gopher Wrestling Club in 2020.
RANKED MATCHUPS VS. BISON
There is one possible ranked matchup between Minnesota and North Dakota State, coming at 149 pounds between No. 22 Drew Roberts and No. 32 Gavin Drexler. The pair have not met before as Drexler spent the last two seasons at 141 pounds.
Drexler is 2-0 against Gopher wrestlers this season, defeating Theo Cha at the Daktronics Open and topping Jack Nelson at the Bison Open.
LAST MEETING WITH THE BISON
No. 12 Minnesota won eight of the 10 matches, including four by bonus points, in a 33-7 victory over North Dakota State last season in Minneapolis.
The Gophers secured a quick 6-0 lead at 125 pounds as North Dakota State forfeited the match. The next win proved to be harder to come by as Jager Eisch needed overtime to defeat Fernando Barreto at 133 pounds, 9-6.
The battle at 149 pounds also needed overtime to settle it. Fortunately, like at 133 pounds, the final result went Minnesota's way once again as No. 21 Drew Roberts bested Max Petersen, 2-1.
Things went a little easier for the Golden Gophers at 157 pounds as No. 11 Michael Blockhus recorded a 17-2 tech fall over Landen Johnson. Blaine Brenner kept up the winning ways for Minnesota with a 9-0 major decision at 165 pounds over Brendan Howes.
After a loss at 174, the Gophers clinched the dual win in the next bout at 184 pounds. Making his collegiate dual debut, Devin Wasley used a comeback victory to take down Adam Cherne, 9-5.
With the dual now in hand, No. 16 Garrett Joles provided the exclamation point with his pin of Spencer Mooberry at 197 pounds. Capping off the dual, Bennett Tabor defeated Devon Dawson, 6-3, at heavyweight.
There is one possible ranked matchup between Minnesota and North Dakota State, coming at 149 pounds between No. 22 Drew Roberts and No. 32 Gavin Drexler. The pair have not met before as Drexler spent the last two seasons at 141 pounds.
Drexler is 2-0 against Gopher wrestlers this season, defeating Theo Cha at the Daktronics Open and topping Jack Nelson at the Bison Open.
LAST MEETING WITH THE BISON
No. 12 Minnesota won eight of the 10 matches, including four by bonus points, in a 33-7 victory over North Dakota State last season in Minneapolis.
The Gophers secured a quick 6-0 lead at 125 pounds as North Dakota State forfeited the match. The next win proved to be harder to come by as Jager Eisch needed overtime to defeat Fernando Barreto at 133 pounds, 9-6.
The battle at 149 pounds also needed overtime to settle it. Fortunately, like at 133 pounds, the final result went Minnesota's way once again as No. 21 Drew Roberts bested Max Petersen, 2-1.
Things went a little easier for the Golden Gophers at 157 pounds as No. 11 Michael Blockhus recorded a 17-2 tech fall over Landen Johnson. Blaine Brenner kept up the winning ways for Minnesota with a 9-0 major decision at 165 pounds over Brendan Howes.
After a loss at 174, the Gophers clinched the dual win in the next bout at 184 pounds. Making his collegiate dual debut, Devin Wasley used a comeback victory to take down Adam Cherne, 9-5.
With the dual now in hand, No. 16 Garrett Joles provided the exclamation point with his pin of Spencer Mooberry at 197 pounds. Capping off the dual, Bennett Tabor defeated Devon Dawson, 6-3, at heavyweight.
FACING CAMPBELL
Minnesota and Campbell meet for the first time ever on Sunday. The Camels will be the 143rd different program that the Gophers have faced in their history.
Minnesota has no North Carolina natives on its roster, while Campbell freshman Parker Lyden is from Forest Lake, Minn., and went to Forest Lake HS.
Minnesota has no North Carolina natives on its roster, while Campbell freshman Parker Lyden is from Forest Lake, Minn., and went to Forest Lake HS.
RANKED MATCHUPS VS. CAMELS
Based on probable lineups, there are four potential ranked matchups (according to InterMat), including the three lightweights of 125, 133 and 141.
The matchup at 125 pounds could see No. 14 Cooper Flynn facing No. 26 Anthony Molton, while 133 pounds could feature eighth-ranked Tyler Wells against No. 22 Domenic Zaccone, and 141 pounds is scheduled to have fifth-ranked Vance VomBaur meet up with No. 30 Shannon Hanna.
At heavyweight, top-ranked Gable Steveson is expected to battle No. 7 Taye Ghadiali. The pair have met once before at the 2021 NCAA Championships when Steveson pinned Ghadiali at the 1:27 mark.
The matchup at 125 pounds could see No. 14 Cooper Flynn facing No. 26 Anthony Molton, while 133 pounds could feature eighth-ranked Tyler Wells against No. 22 Domenic Zaccone, and 141 pounds is scheduled to have fifth-ranked Vance VomBaur meet up with No. 30 Shannon Hanna.
At heavyweight, top-ranked Gable Steveson is expected to battle No. 7 Taye Ghadiali. The pair have met once before at the 2021 NCAA Championships when Steveson pinned Ghadiali at the 1:27 mark.
Gopher Wrestling Tries Gymnastics
Thursday, May 29
Steveson Advances to NCAA Title Match
Friday, March 21
Gable Steveson: NCAA Quarterfinals
Friday, March 21
Gable Steveson: NCAA Pin
Thursday, March 20