Know a Newcomer: Jack Nelson

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, Jack Nelson, a true freshman from Mound, Minn.

Previously: Charlie Millard | Blake Beissel | Silas Dailey | Koy Hopke

Coming out of Mound Westonka High School, Nelson was a three-time state champion (106, 120 and 126 pounds) and five-time state qualifier with a career record fo 194-22. MatScouts rated him No. 133 on its final Big Board. This season, Nelson has competed in four tournaments with his best effort coming at the Jim Koch Open where he placed sixth. Four of his five wins this year have come by bonus points.

GopherSports.com: How did you get into wrestling?
Jack Nelson: "I went and watched my cousins wrestle at a tournament when I was younger, and I looked at my mom and said that I wanted to do that."

GS: When did you realize you might be able to compete in college?
JN: "When I started to do better at bigger tournaments and after I won my first state championship in 9th grade."

GS: What was your recruiting process like?
JN: "It was very fun, I learned a lot of information and the coaches were really fun to talk to and learn about the program. My recruiting process was overall a very fun experience and an experience I will remember forever."

GS: What made you decide on Minnesota?
JN: "Minnesota stuck out to me more than anything because I felt like I was at home and felt part of the team right away. On my official visit, the team was very open to me and made me feel included. The coaches were always talking to me and showed interest in me. I loved the campus, the team and coaches. I also have always wanted to wrestle for my home state and represent Minnesota. Now I get to live that dream out, and that is something that I will remember for the rest of my life."

GS: What differences have you noticed between high school and college wrestling?
JN: "The practices are a lot higher pace, top and bottom are a lot different, it is a lot harder than in high school, and when you get to a shot, finishing it is a lot harder."

GS: How would you describe your wrestling style?
JN: "Long, funky, scrambly, good position, always moving forward."

GS: Are there any particular teammates who have taken you under their wing and helped in your transition to college?
JN: "Vance VomBaur, Drew Roberts and Theo Cha. They have all been a big help for me with transitioning into the college room and helping me learn and get better each and every day, if it's helping me talk through a move or helping me work through a position when I get stuck."

GS: Do you have any pre-match rituals?
JN: "I pray at the beginning of the tournament, and before my matches I listen to music and pace back and forth to get focused and think of what I'm going to do in my match. I visualize, too."

GS: Are there any particular wrestlers you look up to or try to emulate?
JN: "I look up to a lot of my teammates but a few Isaiah Salazar, Max McEnelly, Vance VomBaur, they work really hard, are nice, and are very open to the team."

GS: What is something you are looking forward to in your time as a Gopher?
JN: Representing the U of M and my home state, being a part of the team and meeting all of my teammates, making life-long friendships, growing as a wrestler and as a person."

Off the Mat with Jack
Favorite Spot on Campus: My apartment
Favorite Food: Chipotle
Favorite TV Show: Chicago Med
Favorite Movie: Happy Gilmore
Favorite Book: The Blind Side
Favorite Musician: Zach Bryan
Hidden Talent: I can do a roundoff backflip full
Best Advice You've Been Given: Trust your training, and that God has a plan for me
Superpower You'd Want: To be able to teleport
Sport you're best at other than wrestling: Baseball and Football
Favorite moment of your wrestling career: Winning my first state championship

Upcoming Events

Players Mentioned

Theo Cha

Max McEnelly

Jack Nelson

Drew Roberts

Isaiah Salazar

Vance VomBaur