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.
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
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.
Brad Nessler last called a Gophers game in 2015. He grew up St. Charles, Minn., and got his broadcasting start in Mankato, so this has been a chance to reacquaint with old friends.
