MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State University head wrestling coach Jesse Nelson announced today that Caden Steffen, a native of Zumbrota, Minn., has transferred from the University of Minnesota and will continue his academic and wrestling career at SMSU.
“Caden will be a great addition to the program,” Nelson said. “Caden’s dedication to the classroom and mat will fit our team goals. We are very excited to have him on board.”
Steffen competed the past two seasons at 184 pounds for the Gopher wrestling program, compiling 36 victories during open tournaments. He finished 17-6 during the 2018-19 season with four wins by fall, five by major decision and one by tech fall. He closed with a 19-10 record in 2019-20, which included a third place finish at the Last Chance Open. Steffen recorded with one win by fall, three by major decision and one by tech fall last season.
Steffen is a 2018 graduate of Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School, where he was a two-time state champion and was a member of two state championship teams. He was a four-time all-conference and three-time all-section honoree, while finishing his high school career with 174 victories. He was also a two-time high school All-American.
Steffen’s father, Link, was a two-sport athlete at SMSU in wrestling and baseball. Link was a four-year letter winner, three-time NCAA national qualifier and two-time All-American (1997 & 1998) for the Mustang wrestling program. He won 39 matches during his senior season in 1997-98, which included winning the 1998 NCAA national championship at 190 pounds.
Steffen’s signing brings SMSU’s 2020-21 recruiting class to seven following the announcement of six high school signings early this year.
Check out Mustangs Wrestling at smsumustangs.com and on Twitter.