Sports
Gable Steveson Dominates in Return as Minnesota Gophers Shut Out NDSU Wrestling
In a highly anticipated return to amateur wrestling, Gable Steveson of the University of Minnesota Gophers made a significant impact in his first match back after a nearly three-year hiatus. Steveson, a heavyweight wrestler and Gophers legend, secured an emphatic 18-3 tech fall against North Dakota State’s Drew Blackburn-Forst on Friday night.
The Gophers, ranked No. 10 in the country, were dominant in the dual meet, winning all 10 matches against North Dakota State University (NDSU) to secure a 39-0 blowout victory. This win follows their previous dual meet victory over Bucknell with a score of 35-3 on November 15.
Steveson’s last NCAA wrestling match was 979 days ago when he won the 2022 heavyweight title. His return to the mat was nothing short of impressive, as he dispatched his opponent in just 1:50. Steveson is set to face another challenging opponent soon, as he will compete against Campbell and top-10 heavyweight Taye Ghadiali, who earned All-American status last season, in front of the home Gophers’ crowd at Maturi Pavilion on Sunday.
The victory highlights the strength and depth of the Minnesota Gophers wrestling team and sets the stage for an exciting season ahead.