At just 18 years old, Bo Bassett has already solidified his place in the wrestling world—not just for his extraordinary talent but for his unmatched drive and ambition. A young athlete competing at a level far beyond his years, he already has two monumental achievements within his grasp—becoming a four-time champion at both the Ironman and Super 32 tournaments—he stands on the brink of etching his name into wrestling history.

For Bassett, it’s not just about the records but aspirations to surpass legends like David Taylor and Spencer Lee. Amid a whirlwind of competitions and campus visits, the Pennsylvania phenom is focusing on his future—both as a wrestler and a student. As he whittles down the initial 80 colleges he had in mind to the final choice, Bassett’s carefully planned strategy and unwavering determination are, however, as inspiring as his feats. A relentless pursuit sets his course of action, and the wrestling world is the arena where he will imprint his name—turning bronze into gold.

Bo Bassett has his priorities set for future

Bo Bassett, the rising wrestling star, has already made a name for himself by earning the coveted ‘Who’s the Number One’ title and clinching a bronze medal at the U20 World Championships. Now, he’s focused on the next phase of his journey, setting his sights on even greater accomplishments.

Recently appearing on the Wrestling Changed My Life podcast, Bassett shared his future goals. When host Ryan Warner asked, “What’s next for you?”, Bassett revealed his ambitions with clear intent, “Ironman—I’m excited for that one. There’s only been two guys to ever win it four times, so we’re coming for that.” Basset was of course talking about David Taylor and Zahid Valencia, both of whom are legendary figures in the world of wrestling.

Next on his agenda is the Super 32 championship. Bassett, who has already won the prestigious tournament three times, is determined to become the first wrestler to claim the Super 32 title four times. “Super 32—no one’s ever won it four times, so I’m excited, looking forward to that,” Bassett said.

Reflecting on his career thus far, he shared with Warner, “I think I’m just looking forward to trying to get back to the World Championships. Yeah, we want to turn that bronze into gold.” Bassett won a bronze medal at the U-20 World Championships but lost his chance at gold to Japan’s Makoto Hosokawa, who dominated Bassett with three consecutive gut wrenches. However, Bassett’s hunger for success is unwavering, and his focus is set on securing that gold in the future.

When Warner asked if anyone had come close to winning four Super 32 titles, Bassett responded, “I believe there are a couple of three-timers. Okay, Spencer, I believe, won three. Yani—I believe Yianni probably won three. I know he won three Super. So, yeah, it’s something that gets you into the record books. Super 32 would be a big one. No one’s ever done it. And again, I love to shoot for things that nobody’s ever done.” While Yianni Diakomihalis and David Taylor have each won Super 32 titles multiple times, Bassett is setting his sights on a feat that has yet to be achieved.

Bassett showcases his admiration for David Taylor and Spencer Lee

Bo Bassett is now narrowing down his options for college wrestling, having reduced his list of 80 schools to just 10. While he has visited both Penn State and Arizona State, his focus seems to be shifting toward Oklahoma State University, led by legendary coach David Taylor. Taylor has previously stated that OSU would be the perfect environment for Bassett to develop his immense talent.

Bassett has expressed his excitement at the prospect of being coached by the former Olympic champion. “Taylor was there not just to be in the top four but to take OSU wrestling to a whole different level,” Bassett said, emphasizing his admiration for Taylor’s vision and approach to coaching. Although he is drawn to Taylor’s plans for Oklahoma State, Bassett’s wrestling journey has been greatly inspired by Spencer Lee, whose success and mentality continue to motivate him as he looks toward the future.

Bo Bassett’s journey in wrestling began at just four years old with Young Guns, where his passion for the sport quickly took root. It was during his time at Novice Camp that he first met Spencer Lee, a moment that would deeply influence his career. Over the years, Lee has remained one of Bassett’s greatest inspirations. Recently, Bassett had the opportunity to meet Lee in person again and even attend one of his masterclasses during a visit to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Reflecting on his journey, Bassett fondly recalls his early days at Young Guns. “I can still remember my first practice at Young Guns. Guys like Spencer Lee, Jason Nolf, and Zain Retherford were in the room with coach Strittmatter,” Bassett said. “I would have done anything to follow along with Spencer Lee, Jason Nolf, or Zain Retherford’s recruiting process.” This experience helped shape Bassett’s understanding of what it takes to succeed in wrestling, and it has fueled his aspirations ever since.

As he moves toward a pivotal decision about his college future, Bassett has been methodical in narrowing down his choices. Rather than rushing the decision, he carefully created a list of schools, ticking them off one by one. With his goals already firmly set, it will be exciting to see which college program Bassett chooses, as it will undoubtedly play a significant role in his continued rise in the world of wrestling.