Gophers’ Gable Steveson Talks Olympic Trials and WWE After Winning National Title

By Eric Strack |

Updated: Apr 16, 2024

Gable Steveson is an absolute freak of nature athlete who happened to choose the path of wrestling. And the Minnesota Gophers are happy he did. In no surprise to anyone, Steveson took home his first national title tonight, beating Mason Parris, who was the tournament’s 2-seed out of Michigan.

Gable is the most dominant wrestler seen at Minnesota since Brock Lesnar was wearing gold singlets while embarrassing men of giant stature at the turn of the century. Today’s victory makes the former Big Ten Freshman of the Year 66-2 on his career and 16-0 on his Junior season. But Saturday’s victory gives him his first National Championship. Read everything else you need to know about Gable HERE.

And after his backflip national title celebration, everyone is wondering what’s next for the former Apple Valley star. Well, his future plans are big and they include the Olympics (hopefully) and the WWE (eventually). He talks Olympic Trials and WWE at the very end of his interview. I transcribed that part below the video.

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Your 285-pound champion is Gable Steveson of @GopherWrestling! #NCAAWrestling pic.twitter.com/uL9sUdWo7g
— NCAA Wrestling (@ncaawrestling) March 21, 2021

Gable Steveson. 285 lbs National Champion. 20-years old pic.twitter.com/Kvu1PgTWAX
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) March 21, 2021

Hear from the man himself after winning his national title!#GopherTough | #SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/v3PR4RZglD
— Minnesota Wrestling (@GopherWrestling) March 21, 2021

Final Two Questions/Answers From Above

QUESTION: What are the expectations you have for yourself at the Olympic Trials in two weeks?
“I expect hard matches with all the guys. There’s going to be great opponents in Texas, at the Olympic Trials. I think this was a big turn-around for me. Getting all these matches in, going over there and being ready to wrestle too. Just happy to compete at this time and I’m grateful for all the opportunities that I get.”
Gable Steveson – NCAA National Champion

QUESTION: How far do you want to keep going in college and is pro wrestling on your horizon?
“Yeah, it’s on my horizon. Taking it one day at a time. Just want to make this Olympic team and go from there. I love the WWE and the opportunities that have arose for me. I just got to keep performing and make a bigger name for myself and go from there.”
Gable Steveson – NCAA National Champion

Gable Steveson still has a couple years of eligibility remaining at the University of Minnesota. He wouldn’t give away how many, if any, of those years he will actually take advantage of. When you’re trying to make the Olympic team and bring home a gold medal, it’s better to push other decisions to the back of your brain.

One thing is quite clear… we, as an entertainment consuming public, aren’t getting rid of Gable Steveson anytime soon.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan