Gable Steveson’s final home match for Minnesota was supposed to be a last hurrah before he chases more wrestling glory. The reigning Olympic champion had dominated the college wrestling scene for years, and his return this season only solidified his legendary status. With an undefeated record and a packed crowd of 5,307 at Maturi Pavilion, Steveson delivered yet another masterclass in heavyweight wrestling. But his brilliance couldn’t salvage an otherwise unfortunate night for the Minnesota Gophers. The prime wrestling team couldn’t overcome the firepower of third-ranked Iowa, suffering a lopsided 23-11 defeat.

The dual meet started off rough for Minnesota, as Iowa set the tone early by winning six of the first seven matches. The Hawkeyes executed their game plan flawlessly, and Gophers head coach Brandon Eggum acknowledged that his team struggled to recover. “That was our message to the guys—we’ve got to get on the board earlier,” Eggum said. “That’s what we’ve done a really good job of this year—attacking early and scoring points.” But against Iowa, it wasn’t enough.Yet, despite the team’s struggles, the Jon Jones protege remained untouchable.

While the Gophers faltered, he put on a commanding performance in his final match at home, securing a 19-3 first-period technical fall. His four takedowns and seven near-fall points further cemented his dominance at 285 pounds, reinforcing his status as the best heavyweight in the nation. And that’s not just an opinion—it’s a fact backed by the latest NCAA Division I rankings.

According to InterMat Wrestling, Steveson still holds the No. 1 spot in the 285-pound weight class. The ranking reflects not only his flawless 11-0 record this season but also his incredible career numbers: 96-2 overall, an undefeated 59-0 in dual meets, and 44-0 against Big Ten opponents. His streak of 63 consecutive victories puts him just two wins away from second place in Gopher history. While Iowa may have won the team battle, there’s no questioning who the true king of heavyweight wrestling is. Following the final bout in his home mat, Steveson candidly reflected on the match.

Gable Steveson’s dominant statement after Iowa loss and undefeated farewell

Team defeat notwithstanding, the Indiana native left the final home match unfazed. While Minnesota fell short against Iowa yet another time, Steveson ensured nothing got to his legacy. With an unblemished home record intact, the 24-year-old walked off the mat at Maturi Pavilion knowing he was irreplaceable. After all, the numbers do the talking! He had proved himself enough number of times. The Olympic champion knows that at this point, his only competition is himself. 

“It was just a great experience,” Steveson told Star Tribune. He added, “I’m glad everybody showed up. … I’m glad I could go out with an undefeated home record and do my thing.” Even as Iowa extended its dominance over Minnesota, Steveson’s individual brilliance was undeniable. Against No. 11-ranked Ben Kueter, he wasted no time asserting control, executing four takedowns and racking up seven near-fall points in a commanding 19-3 technical fall victory.

We cannot think of a farewell more fitting than the one Steveson bid to his home crowd, solidifying his place as one of college wrestling’s all-time greats. While all Gophers fans would have wanted the team result sway in their favor to sweeten the deal even further, but let’s be honest, watching Gable Steveson absolutely crush it on home turf one last time is pretty solid too.

The Olympic gold medalist has won two NCAA titles and is now on track for a third, all while showcasing a level of dominance rarely seen in college wrestling. Even as Minnesota shifts its focus to the upcoming Big Ten Championships on March 8 and 9 in Evanston, Illinois, there’s little doubt that Steveson remains the favorite to finish his collegiate career on top.