Former Gophers wrestlers Gable Steveson, Pat Smith earn spots for U.S. world championship team

Both won twice at the Final X tournament in Newark, N.J.

June 11, 2023 at 1:36AM
United States' Gable Dan Steveson celebrates with his gold medal during the victory ceremony for men's freestyle 125kg wrestling at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/
Gable Steveson wore his gold medal at the Olympics two years ago in Japan. (Aaron Favila, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Former Gophers Gable Steveson and Pat Smith won their events at Saturday's Final X wrestling tournament in Newark, N.J., earning spots on the U.S. team for September's world championships.

Steveson, the Olympic gold medalist and former Gophers heavyweight, beat Mason Parris 6-2 in the first match and 5-0 in the second to sweep their best-of-three series in the 125-kilogram men's freestyle class. He earned a spot at the senior world championships for the first time.

Smith, a Chaska native, lost his first match against Justus Scott in the Greco-Roman 72 kg class, then defeated Scott 5-4 and 7-5 to make his fourth senior world championships team. The world meet is Sept. 16-24 in Belgrade, Serbia.

about the writer

about the writer

Rachel Blount

Reporter/Columnist

Rachel Blount is a sports reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune who covers a variety of topics, including the Olympics, Wild, college sports and horse racing. She has written extensively about Minnesota's Olympic athletes and has covered pro and college hockey since joining the staff in 1990.

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