University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
174 lbs.
/ Wrestling
174 lbs.
/ Wrestling
Photo by: Jamie Bergeland
Know a Newcomer: Silas Dailey
1/3/2025 10:20:00 AM | Wrestling
There are 11 newcomers to the Minnesota wrestling team for the 2024-25 season, so GopherSports is doing Q&As with them in order to get to know them better. Up next, Silas Dailey, a true freshman from Cascade, Wis.
Previously: Charlie Millard | Blake Beissel
Coming out of Plymouth High School, Dailey won a state title as a junior and never finished below third place in any of his other prep seasons. He was 151-11 overall for the Panthers. WIWrestle.com had him as the No. 12 pound-for-pound wrestler in the state and MatScouts put him at No. 243 on its final Big Board. This season, Dailey is 10-8 on the year, highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the Jim Koch Open.
GopherSports.com: How did you get into wrestling?
Silas Dailey: "When I was in kindergarten our neighbor wrestled at the local high school and I always enjoyed attending his meets. I was inspired to start practicing to learn the sport."
GS: When did you realize you might be able to compete in college?
SD: "After my freshmen year at Fargo."
GS: What was your recruiting process like?
SD: "Stressful and overwhelming with all of the options but it was such a great opportunity to see new things and meet new people."
GS: What made you decide on Minnesota?
SD: "I loved the atmosphere at Minnesota. The major I was interested in studying was offered as a bachelor's degree. I was impressed with the coaching staff who recognized my potential and wanted to continue to build my skills. I was also inspired by the high-level wrestlers in the practice room. I really felt as though Minnesota had all of the resources to make me the best wrestler I could be. Plus, it's a bonus because Minnesota borders my home state."
GS: What differences have you noticed between high school and college wrestling?
SD: "College wrestlers have a lot cleaner finishes and they are much stronger."
GS: How would you describe your wrestling style?
SD: "I would define my wrestling style as funky."
GS: Are there any particular teammates who have taken you under their wing and helped in your transition to college?
SD: "Ethan Riddle and I were close club teammates back in Wisconsin. With him being a year ahead of me in college, it was nice to know I could depend on him for campus navigation and other practice-related things."
GS: Do you have any pre-match rituals?
SD: "I like to pace back and forth along my assigned mat. I always take a sip of water and then shake my coach's hand before stepping on the line. I take a big inhale followed by a slightly longer exhale before the whistle."
GS: Are there any particular wrestlers you look up to or try to emulate?
SD: "I grew up watching Parker Keckesien and Keegan O'Toole and have enjoyed watching them. They are both Askren wrestlers that have found success."
GS: What is something you are looking forward to in your time as a Gopher?
SD: "Creating bonds with my teammates and winning titles along the way."
Off the Mat with Silas
Favorite Spot on Campus: Bierman
Favorite Food: eggs/anything breakfast
Favorite TV Show: The 100
Favorite Movie: Gladiator
Favorite Book: Make Your Bed
Favorite Musician: Zach Bryan
Hidden Talent: Unicycling
Best Advice You've Been Given: There is no such thing as failure, only an opportunity to improve.
Superpower You'd Want: Telekinesis
Sport you're best at other than wrestling: Swimming
Favorite moment of your wrestling career: Junior year state title
Previously: Charlie Millard | Blake Beissel
Coming out of Plymouth High School, Dailey won a state title as a junior and never finished below third place in any of his other prep seasons. He was 151-11 overall for the Panthers. WIWrestle.com had him as the No. 12 pound-for-pound wrestler in the state and MatScouts put him at No. 243 on its final Big Board. This season, Dailey is 10-8 on the year, highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the Jim Koch Open.
GopherSports.com: How did you get into wrestling?
Silas Dailey: "When I was in kindergarten our neighbor wrestled at the local high school and I always enjoyed attending his meets. I was inspired to start practicing to learn the sport."
GS: When did you realize you might be able to compete in college?
SD: "After my freshmen year at Fargo."
GS: What was your recruiting process like?
SD: "Stressful and overwhelming with all of the options but it was such a great opportunity to see new things and meet new people."
GS: What made you decide on Minnesota?
SD: "I loved the atmosphere at Minnesota. The major I was interested in studying was offered as a bachelor's degree. I was impressed with the coaching staff who recognized my potential and wanted to continue to build my skills. I was also inspired by the high-level wrestlers in the practice room. I really felt as though Minnesota had all of the resources to make me the best wrestler I could be. Plus, it's a bonus because Minnesota borders my home state."
GS: What differences have you noticed between high school and college wrestling?
SD: "College wrestlers have a lot cleaner finishes and they are much stronger."
GS: How would you describe your wrestling style?
SD: "I would define my wrestling style as funky."
GS: Are there any particular teammates who have taken you under their wing and helped in your transition to college?
SD: "Ethan Riddle and I were close club teammates back in Wisconsin. With him being a year ahead of me in college, it was nice to know I could depend on him for campus navigation and other practice-related things."
GS: Do you have any pre-match rituals?
SD: "I like to pace back and forth along my assigned mat. I always take a sip of water and then shake my coach's hand before stepping on the line. I take a big inhale followed by a slightly longer exhale before the whistle."
GS: Are there any particular wrestlers you look up to or try to emulate?
SD: "I grew up watching Parker Keckesien and Keegan O'Toole and have enjoyed watching them. They are both Askren wrestlers that have found success."
GS: What is something you are looking forward to in your time as a Gopher?
SD: "Creating bonds with my teammates and winning titles along the way."
Off the Mat with Silas
Favorite Spot on Campus: Bierman
Favorite Food: eggs/anything breakfast
Favorite TV Show: The 100
Favorite Movie: Gladiator
Favorite Book: Make Your Bed
Favorite Musician: Zach Bryan
Hidden Talent: Unicycling
Best Advice You've Been Given: There is no such thing as failure, only an opportunity to improve.
Superpower You'd Want: Telekinesis
Sport you're best at other than wrestling: Swimming
Favorite moment of your wrestling career: Junior year state title
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