University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
141 lbs.
/ Wrestling
Know a Newcomer: Dawson Johnson
3/12/2025 10:15:00 AM | Wrestling
GopherSports is doing Q&As with 2024-25 newcomers in order to get to know them better. Up next, Dawson Johnson, a true freshman from Cumberland, Wis.
Previously: Charlie Millard | Blake Beissel | Silas Dailey | Koy Hopke | Jack Nelson | Wyatt Duchateau
Coming out of Cumberland High School, Johnson was a four-time state champion, one of 29 in state history at the time. MatScouts rated him No. 134 on its final Big Board and WIWrestle tabbed him 14th in the pound-for-pound rankings in Wisconsin. This season, Johnson went 7-5 at 141 pounds as he competed at three open tournaments. He was the runner-up at the Jim Koch Open and placed fourth at the Bison Open.
GopherSports.com: How did you get into wrestling?
Dawson Johnson: "My dad and my cousins, Remington Ladd and Ethan Johnson."
GS: When did you realize you might be able to compete in college?
DJ: "After my freshman year of high school."
GS: What was your recruiting process like?
DJ: "It was amazing experience and I knew i wanted to be at Minnesota right away."
GS: What made you decide on Minnesota?
DJ: "The coaches and the team made me feel at home."
GS: How would you describe your wrestling style?
DJ: "Aggressive and fast paced."
GS: Are there any particular teammates who have taken you under their wing and helped in your transition to college?
DJ: "Vance (VomBaur) and Blaine (Brenner)."
GS: Are there any particular wrestlers you look up to or try to emulate?
DJ: "Vance (VomBaur) and Max (McEnelly)."
GS: What is something you are looking forward to in your time as a Gopher?
DJ: "Competing."
Off the Mat with Dawson
Favorite Spot on Campus: Bierman
Favorite Food: Fish
Favorite TV Show: Hunting/Fishing
Favorite Movie: Grown Ups
Favorite Musician: Dylan Scott
Superpower You'd Want: Flying
Sport you're best at other than wrestling: Soccer
Favorite moment of your wrestling career: Winning my fourth state title
Previously: Charlie Millard | Blake Beissel | Silas Dailey | Koy Hopke | Jack Nelson | Wyatt Duchateau
Coming out of Cumberland High School, Johnson was a four-time state champion, one of 29 in state history at the time. MatScouts rated him No. 134 on its final Big Board and WIWrestle tabbed him 14th in the pound-for-pound rankings in Wisconsin. This season, Johnson went 7-5 at 141 pounds as he competed at three open tournaments. He was the runner-up at the Jim Koch Open and placed fourth at the Bison Open.
GopherSports.com: How did you get into wrestling?
Dawson Johnson: "My dad and my cousins, Remington Ladd and Ethan Johnson."
GS: When did you realize you might be able to compete in college?
DJ: "After my freshman year of high school."
GS: What was your recruiting process like?
DJ: "It was amazing experience and I knew i wanted to be at Minnesota right away."
GS: What made you decide on Minnesota?
DJ: "The coaches and the team made me feel at home."
GS: How would you describe your wrestling style?
DJ: "Aggressive and fast paced."
GS: Are there any particular teammates who have taken you under their wing and helped in your transition to college?
DJ: "Vance (VomBaur) and Blaine (Brenner)."
GS: Are there any particular wrestlers you look up to or try to emulate?
DJ: "Vance (VomBaur) and Max (McEnelly)."
GS: What is something you are looking forward to in your time as a Gopher?
DJ: "Competing."
Off the Mat with Dawson
Favorite Spot on Campus: Bierman
Favorite Food: Fish
Favorite TV Show: Hunting/Fishing
Favorite Movie: Grown Ups
Favorite Musician: Dylan Scott
Superpower You'd Want: Flying
Sport you're best at other than wrestling: Soccer
Favorite moment of your wrestling career: Winning my fourth state title
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