Gable Steveson has been looking more and more unstoppable as the wrestling season is coming to an end. With an unbeaten streak of 63 wins and a pile of names crossed out, Gable is once again the No. 1 seed for the Big Ten Championships. Now, he is just one step away from becoming the first heavyweight to win four individual Big Ten titles. But between them stands Penn State and an old foe who will be looking for the credit of stopping Gable. Shall we take a look at who stands in Gable’s way?

Well, it is none other than the NCAA #2 heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet. One of the top wrestlers from Penn State is also on an undefeated run himself this season. And while Steveson commands the spotlight, Kerkvliet lets his record do the talking. With 36 straight wins and an NCAA title to his name, he is no underdog. But a force of his own.

While all eyes are now on their clash in the Big Ten Championship finals on Sunday, Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson has something to say. Sanderson, a legendary figure in wrestling himself, has no doubt about Kerkvliet’s capabilities. His advice? Simplicity. “Greg just needs to be Greg and just kind of do what he does and compete freely because he’s really, really good,” Sanderson said, as reported by echo-pilot.

Greg needs to focus on his strengths, even if it means competing against a high-profile opponent like Steveson. The 2021 Tokyo Olympic champion took down Kerkvliet in both of their previous matchups at the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Championships. He ended up winning by decisions of 7-4 and 8-3. But Kerkvliet is no longer the same wrestler he was then. And he is looking forward to toppling the #1 Gable.

With an NCAA title under his belt and years of training alongside Olympic-level talent at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, he has closed the gap. “Greg is a student of the game. And he’s always playing with different techniques and trying to advance what he’s doing and improve. I think he’s gotten a lot better every year since he’s been here. Every year there’s been … significant changes,” Sanderson added.

This is a clear statement about growth. Sanderson’s words suggest that Kerkvliet isn’t just improving. He’s adapting, constantly tweaking his style. Moreover, he is finding new ways to win against dominant opponents. For Steveson, this version of Kerkvliet will definitely present a far greater challenge than before.

Notably, Kerkvliet was the undisputed preseason No. 1 wrestler at 285 pounds after finishing 2024 with a perfect 20-0 record on his way to his first national title. Despite securing an opening-period pin in his first bout of this season, he fell out of the top spot in the national rankings this week following the highly publicized return of Steveson. He will surely look to regain his lost place. With both wrestlers standing as the nation’s top-ranked, this competition is more than just a battle for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State’s reign vs. Gable Steveson’s revival

The dominance of Penn State holds true through the pre-seed rankings for the Big Ten Championships that confirm their status as champions. The Nittany Lions have six wrestlers who are seeded No. 1 in their own respective positions. Beau Bartlett (141) and Shayne Van Ness (149) lead the lightweights, while the middleweights are anchored by Mitchell Mesenbrink (165) and Levi Haines (174).

Heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet heads the No. 1 seed position, as his performance this weekend will likely lock in Penn State’s dominance in wrestling. The dangerous quality of this team extends beyond individual stars because they have depth throughout the lineup. This shows Penn State’s capability for championship success.

On the other hand, if there’s one thing Gable Steveson knows how to do, it’s his performance that has elevated everyone around him in the team. His return to Minnesota wrestling hasn’t just been a boost; it’s been a full-blown revival. Just look at his debut: a 20-4 tech fall against No. 7-ranked Taye Ghadiali. Gable Steveson started his Gopher career by defeating Taye Ghadiali with a dominant 20-4 technical fall.

The wrestling bout between them transformed into an official statement. Steveson has returned to compete beyond defeating his opponents. This has caused a dramatic effect on the whole Gopher squad. The competitiveness of the team has transformed into a complete program resurgence. The wrestling team consists of seven competitors who achieved top-ten rankings. Moreover, all starters secured positions inside the top 25, serving as an organizational force since Steveson returned.

They have emerged victorious in four consecutive dual meets with truly minimal defeats because their star athlete leads them to victory. The Minnesota program rides the surge of Steveson, who stands dedicated to regaining the NCAA championship title as he lifts his whole team toward unprecedented success. Better prepare yourself for the event on Sunday, as one is likely to witness an intense showdown between the two competitors. Let us know in the comments: whom do you think will seal the victory?