Austin Gomez
Austin Klee Gomez (born March 19, 1998) is a Mexican-American freestyle and former folkstyle wrestler who competes at 65 kilograms.[1] In freestyle, he is qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics and is a Mexico National champion.[2]
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| Full name | Austin Klee Gomez | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | March 19, 1998 Carol Stream, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States (2013–2021) Mexico (2022–present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight class | 65 kg (143 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Freestyle and Folkstyle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | Michigan Wolverines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Cliff Keen Wrestling Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Sean Bormet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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In folkstyle, Gomez was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American, placing second in 2024 out of the University of Michigan and fourth in 2022 out of the University of Wisconsin.[3]
Career edit
High school edit
Gomez started wrestling around the age of four years old, and went on to attend Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, Illinois, where he became a three-time state champion before graduating in 2017.[4] One of the top-recruits in the country, Gomez was a multiple-time U17 US National champion and a Pan American champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.[5]
Before his junior season, Gomez committed to wrestle for the Iowa State Cyclones.[6] Before going off to college, Gomez placed second at the U20 US World Team Trials.[7]
Iowa State University edit
2017–2018 edit
Gomez competed under a redshirt during his first season, grabbing titles from the Willie Myers Open, the Duhawk Open and the Sioux City Dave Edmonds Open and recording a 8–0 record.[8]
After the season, Gomez grabbed the U20 US National title and improved from a runner-up finish from 2017 to a first-place finish at the U20 US World Team Trials in freestyle.[9] However, he decided against competing at the U20 World Championships due to a knee injury.[8]
2018–2019 edit
During regular season, Gomez won the Lindenwood Open and placed second at the Southern Scuffle, before a third-place finish at the Big 12 Conference to qualify for the NCAA tournament.[10] At the tournament, Gomez went 4–2 though was unable to place, closing off the year at 24–7.[11]
2019–2020 edit
Gomez was unable to compete during 2019–2020 due to injury, using a medical redshirt.[12] In October 2020, Gomez competed at the US National Championships, where he suffered an injury in a first round loss and forfeited his next match.[13] In December 2020, Gomez made the decision to retire from the sport due to recurrent concussions and injuries, at the age of 22.[14][15]
University of Wisconsin edit
2021–2022 edit
After a brief retirement, Gomez entered the transfer portal in April, and in May, he committed to wrestle for the Wisconsin Badgers.[16][17] Up at 149 pounds, Gomez became the Big Ten Conference champion before becoming an All-American with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA National tournament, closing out the year at 23–4.[18]
2022–2023 edit
On November, Gomez competed for Mexico at the Mexico All-Star Grand Prix, winning gold at 70 kilograms and defeating Olympian Agustín Destribats in the finals.[19]
During regular season, Gomez held a 10–2 dual meet record, notably defeating three-time NCAA champion Yianni Diakomihalis early in the year though suffering an injury during his last meet which resulted in a loss.[20] After a first round upset loss, Gomez was forced to default out of his second match due to injury at the Big Ten Championships, though receiving an at-large berth to qualify for the NCAA tournament.[21] At the national tournament, Gomez went 2–2 and was unable to repeat as an All-American, closing out the year at 12–6.[22]
A week after folkstyle season was over, Gomez became a Mexico National champion, with notable victories over three-time Pan American medalist Brandon Díaz and Outstanding Wrestler honors.[23] In May, Gomez competed at the Pan American Championships, but was eliminated by Colombia in the first round.[24]
In September, Gomez competed at the World Championships, where after defeating India's Anuj Kumar, he was eliminated by two-time NCAA Division I National champion Nick Lee.[25]
University of Michigan edit
2023–2024 edit
After graduating from Wisconsin in the spring, Gomez announced 2022–2023 had been his final season of collegiate wrestling, however, he entered the transfer portal in October, and in December, his petition for another year of eligibility was approved by the NCAA.[26] Days later, Gomez announced his commitment to the Michigan Wolverines, and went 7–1 in dual meets for them during regular season.[27][28]
To start off March, Gomez switched to freestyle in an attempt to qualify Mexico for the 2024 Summer Olympics at the Pan American Olympic Qualification Tournament.[29] After a quick victory over Chile, Gomez avenged his loss from the World Championships and defeated Pan American champion Nick Lee in a high-scoring match to advance to the qualification match.[30] In the semifinals, Gomez defeated Lachlan McNeil to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics, and the finals of the tournament were not wrestled.[31]
Back to folkstyle for the post-season, Gomez placed as a runner-up at the Big Ten Conference Championships and claimed the sixth-seed at the NCAA tournament.[32] After defeating three-time All-American Kyle Parco to cruise to the finals, he fell to Caleb Henson to place as a runner-up and become a two-time All-American, closing out the year at 13–3 and ending his collegiate career.[3]
Freestyle record edit
References edit
- ^ "@fullname - Wrestling". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ admin. "Cliff Keen WC Adds Gomez to Freestyle Roster". Cliff Keen Wrestling Club. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ a b "Gomez, Davison Advance to NCAA Finals; U-M Sits Second in Team Standings at NCAA Championships". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ Cuellar, Chris. "Cyclones getting gritty star in lightweight recruit Austin Gomez". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ "Austin Gomez - Wrestling". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ says, Nationally Ranked Kanen Storr Commits to Cyclones | (2015-09-18). "Austin Gomez Commits to Iowa State". IAwrestle. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ Cuellar, Chris. "Cyclones getting gritty star in lightweight recruit Austin Gomez". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ a b Goodwin, Cody. "Iowa State's Austin Gomez will not compete at the Junior World Championships". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Inspired by the death of his younger brother, Iowa State's Austin Gomez makes Junior World Team". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "'It was a pretty easy decision to stay': Inside Austin Gomez's decision to re-commit to Iowa State". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Cyclones Turn Toward NCAA Wrestling". Iowa State University Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Mcdaniel, Stephen. "Takeaways: All eyes rest on next wrestling season". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Bray, David (2020-10-05). "Who's Registered So Far For 2020 Senior Nationals?". FloWrestling. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Iowa State's Austin Gomez retires from wrestling". www.thegazette.com. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Wrestling: Iowa State's Austin Gomez announces retirement after slew of injuries". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Austin Gomez is Back!". Illinois Matmen. 2021-04-09. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Hamilton, Andy (2021-06-02). "Gomez, Traxler Decide Next Stops". FloWrestling. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Barnett, Gomez and Hamiti place among top finishers at NCAA Championships". Wisconsin Badgers. 2022-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Five Things to Know: No. 9 Cornell". Wisconsin Badgers. 2022-11-19. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "My Words: Ready to go make history". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Chakravarthi, Rohan (2023-03-05). "Wisconsin Wrestling: Badgers qualify 5 to NCAA Championships". Bucky's 5th Quarter. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Chakravarthi, Rohan (2023-03-17). "Wisconsin Wrestling: Badgers in NCAA Championships". Bucky's 5th Quarter. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ admin. "Cliff Keen WC Adds Gomez to Freestyle Roster". Cliff Keen Wrestling Club. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Kozak, Jon (2023-05-06). "Results For Team USA At The 2023 Pan-Am Wrestling Championships". FloWrestling. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Monday Session I Blog: Valencia wins repechage, Winchester & Page to semifinals, Lee & Snyder lose in quarterfinals". www.themat.com. 2023-09-18. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Rader, J. D. (2023-10-06). "Austin Gomez Enters Transfer Portal". FloWrestling. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Gomez Joins Wolverine Program as Grad Transfer for 2023-24". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Wolverines Rout In-State Rival Spartans in Home Opener". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Paul, Diptarko (2024-03-02). "NCAA Wrestling Champ Celebrates Paris Olympics 2024 Berth 3 Years After Forced Retirement". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Men's freestyle comes up empty at Pan American Olympic Games Qualifier". www.themat.com. 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Gomez Qualifies at 65kg Freestyle for 2024 Paris Olympics". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Wolverines Claim Runner-Up Finish at Big Ten Championships Behind Nine Placewinners". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
External links edit
- Austin Gomez at the International Wrestling Database