University of Minnesota Athletics
2023-24 Wrestling Roster
Nelson, Gavin
Gavin Nelson
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
- High School:
- Simley HS
- Position:
- 197 lbs.
Bio
CAREER HONORS AND AWARDS
Italics - Redshirt Season (not counted in career totals)
- 2025 U23 World Team member
- Took first place at the Cougar Clash with a 4-0 record; pinned opening-round opponent, won by major in the quarters and posted another pin in the finals
-
Went 3-0 at the Daktronics Open, highlighted by a 21-second pin of NDSU’s Aiden Hight that tied for the 10th-fastest in program history
- Won the Bison Open at 197 pounds after a 3-0 day, including one tech fall win and won by major decision; outscored opponents 39-6
- Only Gopher to go undefeated on the season (10-0)
- Placed second on the roster and 10th in the country in team points per match (4.50)
- Ranked third on the team in bonus point rate (.700) and tied for third in wins by pin (3)
- Earned a fifth-place finish at the Edinboro Open with a 4-1 record, won two matches by pin and two by major decision
- Came in sixth at the Soldier Salute after posting a 5-3 record, including three major decisions; all three losses came at the hands of ranked opponents
- Placed fourth at the Cougar Clash with a 2-2 record; losses were to No. 4 Rocky Elam of Missouri in the semifinals and teammate Gabe Nagel in the third-place match
- Finished as runner-up at Daktronics Open with 2-1 record; only loss was a decision to #24 Wyatt Voelker of Northern Iowa
- Made Gopher debut by finishing as runner-up at 197 pounds at the Bison Open with a 2-1 record; lost to teammate Garrett Joles via sudden victory in the finals
- Led the team with nine wins by major decision
- Also tied for fourth on the Gophers with three wins by pin
- Three-time state champion for Simley High School under head coach and Gopher alumni Will Short
- Nelson is a five-time state placewinner
- Second-ranked pound-for-pound wrestler in Minnesota and the No. 1 ranked wrestler in his class at 220 lbs., per TheGuillotine
- Also a highly-touted recruit nationally as the No. 23 wrestler in MatScouts Class of 2023 Big Board, and was also a 2021 Cadet World Team member at 92-kilograms
- Parents are Jennifer and Jamie Nelson
- Siblings are Jackson Nelson and Rajanae Whitmore
- Majoring in business and marketing education
| YEAR | OVERALL W-L | DUAL W-L | BIG TEN W-L | PINS | TFs | MDs | B1G FINISH | NCAA FINISH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 15-8 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 3-0 | 0-0 | 9-0 | --- | --- |
| 2024-25 | 10-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 3-0 | 2-0 | 2-0 | --- | --- |
| CAREER | 10-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 3-0 | 2-0 | 2-0 | --- | --- |
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
