Gophers add California State Champion Andrew Sparks

The Gophers Wrestling program is pleased to announce the addition of 2020 California State Champion Andrew Sparks to the 2024 recruiting class.

Sparks underwent a meteoric rise in the wrestling community as he went from a nonplacing competitor to the state champion in 2020 as he knocked off then-No.2 Cael Valencia. Plus, the middleweight prospect also took home the title at “Battle for the Belt” and took bronze at the “Doc B.”

Sparks’ stock saw a similar rise and he finished his senior season ranked top-15 nationally at 160-pounds.

“I am extremely excited for what lies ahead of me and couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities this sport has brought me,” Sparks posted alongside his commitment. “GO GOPHERS!

Sparks, a Huntington Beach native, joins Esperanza’s Aaron Nagao at the top of the Gophers incoming recruiting class.

The newest Gopher wrestler’s high school was fomer Oklahoma Sooner wrestler Dan Valdez, a two-time All-American and former resident athlete at the Olmypic Training Center.

The 160-pound prospect announced his commitment on Instagram earlier in April.

Check out Gopher Wrestling at gophersports.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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