The annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic took place on Saturday at Peters Township High School, pitting a Pennsylvania all-star team against a national all-star team. New Prague’s Koy Buesgens and Simley’s Gavin Nelson both picked up wins for Team USA.
Gavin Nelson
This year’s Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic includes two Minnesota standouts
A pair of three-time Minnesota state champions are on the national all-star team taking on a Pennsylvania all-star team tonight at Peters Township High School outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. New Prague’s Koy Buesgens and Simley’s Gavin Nelson are set to compete at 145 and 215 pounds, respectively at the annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic.
Gophers wrestling commit Gavin Nelson is one of state’s top running backs
Everything about Gavin Nelson screams tough, physical and relentless.
The 210-pound senior is one of the top high school wrestling recruits in the nation. He’s built strong and sturdy — as can be said for most Simley High School wrestlers.
That sentiment holds up when you give him the ball on the football field, as well. Tackling the rugged running back is nearly as difficult as taking him down on the mat.
How would Spartans coach Chris Mensen describe him on the field?
“Bruising. Absolutely bruising,” he said. “He punishes defenses who try to tackle him one on one.” Continue reading at twincities.com →
The Guillotine – December 2, 2021
The December 2, 2021 issue of The Guillotine has arrived! Content in this issue includes: Volk closing in on his third state title - Jore Volk | Changing The Game - Gavin Nelson | Lace 'Em Up | Camps, Clinics, and Training | MWCA Report | High School Class AAA Preview | Performance Nutrition - Sunshine Every Day | View From The Matbird Seat | High School Class AA Preview | High School Rankings | High School Class A Preview | Ask The Doc.
View this issue below.
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Changing The Game – Gavin Nelson
By Brian Jerzak
After moving to Wisconsin as a baby, Gavin Nelson put together a stellar youth record wrestling and training in Wisconsin. When he entered junior high, Gavin and his family decided to move back to Minnesota – in part – to try to further Gavin's wrestling career. When Nelson first stepped into the Simley wrestling room as a 7th grader, the coaching staff threw him right in with the varsity. The new Spartans' first practice did not go well.
"My first Simley practice in 7th grade," Nelson said, "I got right into it with all the varsity guys. In my first practice, I threw up so much because I was not ready for that level of practice. Coach (Will) Short got me into shape quickly. I was not ready for that grind, but once I got used to it, it was a huge game-changer for me."
The game changed to the tune of becoming a three-time state place winner, a one-time state champion, and a member of the 2021 U.S. Cadet World Championships team.
Long before entering the Spartans' wrestling room, Nelson was playing youth soccer.
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Team USA finishes second at the Men’s Freestyle Cadet World Championships
Simley’s Gavin Nelson places fifth
Budapest, Hungary – The men’s freestyle portion of the Cadet World Championships drew to a close this evening. It was a three-horse race between Team USA, India, and Russia for the team title, and it came down to the very last match of the night. When the dust settled, India came out on top, winning their first Cadet team title in history. The U.S. claimed second and Russia settled for third.
While finishing runner-up after a stellar performance was bittersweet, the U.S. contingent had plenty to celebrate. At 45 kg, Bo Bassett became the second American to claim a Cadet World title this week. Bassett, who earned two pins and a technical fall en route to the finals, was the youngest competitor in his bracket at only 14 years old.
For gold, he squared off with Russia’s Alikhan Ashinov in a battle that was pivotal to the team race. Ashinov was the third wrestler to score the first takedown on Bassett in this tournament. Similarly to the others, he faired poorly. Continue reading at teamusa.org →
College Recruiting: state champion Nelson to University of Minnesota
Gavin Nelson of Simley has committed to wrestling for the University of Minnesota in 2023.
10 Wrestlers Claim Spots on the Men’s Freestyle Cadet World Team
Simley’s Gavin Nelson earns 92 KG spot
Wisconsin Dells, Wis. – The U15 and UWW Cadet Nationals concluded this afternoon with the best-of-three Cadet Men’s Freestyle World Team Trials finals. The winners will compete at the Cadet World Championship in Budapest, Hungary this July.
At 55 kg, Pennsylvania’s Bo Bassett made his second World Team of the weekend in impressive fashion, downing Idaho’s Mack Mauger in two-straight matches. Basset recorded a 10-0 technical fall in match one and followed it up with a pin in match two. Mauger finished runner-up in the Greco-Roman tournament as well. In nine matches across both styles, Basset recorded seven technical falls and two pins.
Another wrestler to make World Teams in both styles was New Jersey’s Jim Mullen, who skipped his high school state tournament to compete this weekend. In the best-of-three finals, Mullen defeated Iowa’s Bradley Hill in two-straight matches, 18-5 and 9-7. Continue reading at teamusa.org →