Tony Nelson

Class:
Redshirt Senior
Hometown:
Cambridge, Minn.
High School:
Cambridge-Isanti HS

Tony Nelson is currently serving as an administrative assistant for the University of Minnesota wrestling team. He joins the staff after completing one of the greatest careers in Gopher wrestling history, one during which he compiled a record of 131-16 at heavyweight. His 131 wins are ninth-best in program history.

Nelson earned four All-American recognitions during his Gopher career, beginning in 2010-11 when he finished second at the Big Ten Championships and seventh on the NCAA stage. That season, he shared the team[apos]s Most Outstanding Freshman honor with Kevin Steinhaus.

The following season, Nelson captured the Big Ten Championship en route to a National Championship, defeating the reigning national champ to claim the title. Nelson was named the team[apos]s Most Outstanding Wrestler and the U[apos]s Best Male Athlete at the school[apos]s 2012 Golden Goldy[apos]s awards ceremony.

Amazingly, Nelson improved upon that 32-2 season the following year, going 33-1 as a junior and repeating as both the Big Ten and NCAA National Champion. That season, Nelson went 16-1 against ranked opponents and defeated three wrestlers ranked in the top 10 during his NCAA tournament run.

Nelson carried a 17 match winning streak into 2013-14, one which he extended to 36 before dropping a match in January. By season[apos]s end, Nelson became a three-time Big Ten champion at heavyweight and returned to the finals of the NCAA Championships but ultimately placed as the runner-up in that competition.