Gophers heavyweight Gable Steveson wins NCAA Championship
Minnesota's Gable Steveson does a backflip to celebrate after defeating Michigan's Mason Parris during their 285-pound match in the finals of the NCAA wrestling championships.[AP/Jeff Roberson]
Gophers heavyweight wrestler Gable Steveson won his first NCAA Championship Saturday night with an 8-4 win over Michigan’s Mason Parris in St. Louis, Missouri.
Steveson finished the season a perfect 17-0 and is the sixth Gophers heavyweight to a National Championship.
A four-time state champion at Apple Valley, Steveson has now won 34 straight matches and improves his career record at Minnesota to 66-2. After his championship win Saturday night, he celebrated with a back handspring similar to his celebration following his final state title at Apple Valley.
Steveson will change his focus in a hurry. He’ll wrestle at the Olympic trials in two weeks in Fort Worth, Texas. Steveson is the 2nd ranked United States heavyweight in freestyle wrestling.