University of Minnesota Athletics
2022-23 Wrestling Roster
Nagao, Aaron
Aaron Nagao
- Class:
- Redshirt Freshman
- Hometown:
- La Habra, Calif.
- High School:
- Esperanza HS
- Position:
- 133 lbs.
Bio
2022-23 • REDSHIRT FRESHMAN
- Impressed with a 23-6 record in his first season as Minnesota's 133-pound starter
- Became an All-American as a freshman with a 5th-place finish in first NCAA Championships
- Placed 2nd at the Big Ten Championships to punch ticket to first career NCAA tournament.
- Earned three-straight top-20 wins to reach Big Ten finals at 133 pounds
- Defeated a team-best 12 ranked opponents during his freshman campaign.
- Finished regular season with 8-2 dual record, including 3-1 B1G record.
- Returned from injury against Wisconsin, defeating #30 Taylor LaMont by 5-1 decision (2/11)
- Defeated No. 11 Rayvon Foley by 9-4 decision in his highest-ranked victory of his young career (1/15)
- Earned a comeback overtime victory over Kyle Burwick in road contest vs. Nebraska (1/13)
- Placed third at the Southern Scuffle with a 4-1 record, including two wins over ranked opponents
- Secured two-bonus point victories over Ben Lindley (Lindenwood) and Ethan Rotundo (Cal Poly) on December 11.
- Earned a 6-2 decision over Derrick Cardinal to help lead Minnesota back to comeback win vs. South Dakota State
- Rolled to an 8-2 decision over Ivan Garcia (Binghamton) in first career start for the Maroon & Gold.
- Opened season by winning Bison Open with 3-0 record, including two bonus-point victories
- InterMat preseason rankings slotted Nagao at #27 at 133 pounds
- Placed 5th at the U23 World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain
- Made the U23 World Team at 61-kilograms in the offseason
- Went 7-0 at U23 World Team Trials, defeating teammate Jake Gliva in straight matches in the best-of-3 finals
- Academic All-B1G Selection
2021-22 • FRESHMAN
- Went 8-3 in his redshirt season with the Maroon & Gold
- Won the ISU Last Chance Open, going 3-0 with all bonus-point victories
- Made the Southern Scuffle finals at 133 pounds, earning two ranked wins over #26 Kellyn March (NDSU) and #21 Codi Russell (Appalachian State)
- Went 1-2 at the Daktronics Open at 141 pounds
BEFORE MINNESOTA:
- Two- time CIF State Champion for Esperanza High School
- Won the 132-pound title as a senior after defeating Hunter Leake of Buchanan by an 8-2 decision
- Defeated Christian Nunez (Bishop Amat) by a score of 8-2 to win the 126-pound title in 2019
- Four-time California state placewinner under Esperanza head coach Christian Holiday
- Greyshirted in 2021 prior to his arrival at the University of Minnesota
| YEAR | OVERALL W-L | DUAL W-L | BIG TEN W-L | PINS | TFs | MDs | B1G FINISH | NCAA FINISH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 8-3 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | --- | --- |
| 2022-23* | 23-6 | 8-2 | 3-1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2nd | 5th |
| CAREER | 23-6 | 8-2 | 3-1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | --- | 1x NCAA AA |
Italics - Redshirt Season (not counted in career totals)
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
