Jefferson-Morgan’s Teasdale commits to Iowa
Gavin Teasdale, an undefeated two-time state champion at Jefferson-Morgan, has committed to wrestle at Iowa.
Jefferson-Morgan’s Gavin Teasdale won with a 13-3 major decision in the 106-pound finals at the Powerade tournament against Patrick Glory of Delbarton, N.J.
Now this is a good recruiting day.
The University of Iowa landed two of the most sought after high school wrestling recruits in the country when Gavin Teasdale of Jefferson-Morgan and Spencer Lee of Franklin Regional each committed to the school in Iowa City.
The two train together at the Young Guns Wrestling Club at Franklin Regional and became close friends. They are shown posing side by side on Twitter for the announcement.
“After practice one night, we were talking, and I said I think I want to go to Iowa,” Teasdale told FloWrestling.com. “And he said, ‘I was thinking the exact same thing. It happened just like that. When I was on campus for the (Olympic) Trials, I liked it a lot. They coach around the style you compete at and that’s what I really like.
“Everything I did there felt like home, the way I wrestled in high school. That was the biggest thing.”
Not only did the two announce the commitments together, they actually wore the same style T-shirt
“It wasn’t planned that way,” Teasdale said. “It was just a coincidence.”
Teasdale made a visit to his favorite schools before deciding on Iowa. Teasdale had his choice of any number of schools including Penn State, North Carolina and Oklahoma State.
“Each college had a specific thing that I liked,” he said. “It just so happens that the college I did choose (Iowa) had it all. It was the best fit and it felt like home to me.”
Teasdale still has two varsity seasons remaining and is expected to compete at 133 or 141 pounds. Lee could be at 133 and Teasdale 141.
“It would be an awesome 1-2 punch,” Teasdale said. “To be in front of 15,000 fans will be awesome, the adrenaline coming after every match. With (Lee) coming with pins, that gives you even more energy for your match. I’ll try my best to pin but the next best thing is a tech.”
Teasdale wrapped up a second undefeated season in as many years when he rolled to victory in the PIAA Class AA 113-pound weight class. Teasdale won by technical fall, 23-8, over Kollin Myers of Boiling Springs. Teasdale won the 106-pound state title last year. He has an 82-0 career record.
“I’m happy for him,” said Jefferson-Morgan head coach Mike Lesko. “I hope the same success continues to follow him. I thought he and Spencer would split up. But they practice together every day. That’s one heck of a 1-2 punch. They are very close.”
Some speculation had Teasdale favoring the North Carolina, where Coleman Scott, a Waynesburg native, is head coach and where Cary Kolat, a four-time undefeated PIAA champion from Jefferson-Morgan High School was an assistant coach.
Lee is the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the country by most publications.
“He’s incredible,” said Jody Strittmatter, who trains Lee and Teasdale at Young Guns. “He has it all. He’s great on the mat. He’s great on his feet. He’s good offensively, good defensively. Off the mat, he’s an incredibly smart kid. Smart, intelligent, polite. He’s the total package.”
Lee said he was attracted to wrestling for the Brand brothers, Terry and Tom, who are coaches at Iowa.
“You’ve got Terry and Tom Brands there and they’re lightweight guys and it’s not just that,” he said. “It’s their attitude, the way they coach, their attention to detail. They’re funny guys. They have a great sense of humor, believe it or not. Most people don’t believe that. They’re awesome to be around.”