The Gophers wrestling team announced its 2021 schedule on Thursday, and it will be a Big Ten-only slate consisting of five dual meets, including a home matchup with top-ranked Iowa, and two triangular meets.
Gophers wrestling season to begin Jan. 8 at Nebraska
The Gophers released their schedule, which includes a visit from top-ranked Iowa on Feb. 22.
By Star Tribune and
Randy Johnson
December 31, 2020 at 10:47PM
Coach Brandon Eggum's team will open the season Jan. 8 at Nebraska, then travel to Michigan State on Jan. 16 for a triangular with the Spartans and Maryland.
Iowa, rated No. 1 by InterMat in both the dual-meet and tournament rankings, will visit Maturi Pavilion on Feb. 22.
The Gophers, No. 12 in the dual-meet rankings and No. 13 in the tournament poll, travel to Rutgers on Jan. 31 for a triangular with the Scarlet Knights and Purdue.
Minnesota returns home Feb. 5 to face Illinois, travels to Wisconsin on Feb. 5 and closes the regular season Feb. 21 vs. Northwestern.
The Big Ten tournament will be held March 6-7 at Penn State, and the NCAA Championships are March 18-20 in St. Louis.
Led by top-ranked heavyweight Gable Steveson and fellow NWCA All-America selection Brayton Lee, the Gophers return seven starters from last season, which ended because of the coronavirus pandemic a week before the NCAA Championships were to be held at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Other Gophers ranked by InterMat are: Patrick McKee, 14th at 125 pounds; Michael Blockhus, 18th at 149; Lee, sixth at 157; and Owen Webster, 19th at 184.
Corey Hetherman, who received a contract extension after the season, will take the same post with the Hurricanes.
