The RTC Cup men’s freestyle tournament in December was a changing of the guard for the United States at heavyweight. Long-time World representative and two-time medalist Nick Gwiazdowski was tested by two young phenoms, Gable Steveson and Mason Parris. He split matches with Parris, his win coming as a dramatic comeback after going down big, early. Gable Steveson had lost to Gwiazdowski at the World team wrestle-offs in 2019, two matches to zero. But in December at the RTC Cup, Steveson controlled the match to a comfortable win over Gwiazdowski.
Gable Steveson and Mason Parris did not wrestle at that event, Minnesota’s team sent out two-time NCAA champion Tony Nelson instead.