Dez Gartrell has announced he will be a Husker as he committed to the University of Nebraska.
Gartrell announced his commitment to the University of Nebraska via instagram stating, “I am extremely blessed and excited to announce that I have decided to further my academic and athletic career at the University of Nebraska!”.
Some of Gatrell achievements include placing fifth at the 2019 Junior Greco state tournament as well as placing fifth at the 2019 Junior Freestyle tournament. He ended his high school career with a 136-36 record.
During his folkstyle career Gartrell went to state in 2021 placing fifth at the OHSAA D1 State tournament. Although he was qualified to go to state his senior season, he tore his tricep and broke his ulnar collateral ligament during the district tournament. These news came to him just three days before the big day causing him to be replaced with his alternate Grove City sophomore Storm Beane.
When asked what influenced his decision to join the University of Nebraska Gartrell responded with, “It was honestly the coaches for me to be honest with you. The whole time I was there on my visit, those guys were constantly making me feel at home, especially Coach Manning, no matter who you are he treats you like you’ve already been on the team for years, he talks to you like you are a part of their family already, treats everyone with the same respect no matter your status of wrestling. Coach Tervel is the same way, but the thing about him is that he relates wrestling with life and I really like that. When you listen to Coach Tervel talk you get this sense of urgency and desire to go out there and making something happen, he really gets you fired up.” He also replied, “I am looking forward to stepping out there on that Nebraska mat and showing the world who I really am and what I came to do”
Although Gertrell was not able to wrestle at state for first place, College will open more doors for him to wrestle at higher level tournaments.
