On Wednesday morning the Big Ten announced that Minnesota Gophers wrestler Gable Steveson was named the 2021-22 Big Ten Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year. He becomes just the fifth Gopher men’s athlete to win the honor in the 41 year history of the award.
Steveson was automatic in the 2022 season. He captured his third-straight undefeated season with an 18-0 record and won his second NCAA title. Steveson also became a three-time Big Ten champion this past season and was named the Dan Hodge Trophy winner for the second time in his career, becoming the first heavyweight in the history of collegiate wrestling to earn the prestigious honor multiple times.