Austin Gomez announces he'll forgo final year of eligibility with Wisconsin wrestling

Wisconsin wrestling star Austin Gomez decided against using his final year of eligibility for the 2023-24 season. He’ll focus on his freestyle wrestling career to chase World and Olympic Gold.

Gomez returned to college wrestling in 2021-22 after missing two seasons due to concussions. He wrestled at Iowa State where he showcased his potential but was derailed by injury.

After a tremendous comeback, Gomez decided it was time to transition to the next step.

“After taking some time to reflect on this past season, I have decided to not apply for my medical hardship year and not take my final year of eligibility,” Gomez wrote in a statement. “I believe this is the best decision for myself and my wrestling career. I am fully confident and happy (with) how my career went. I can say I gave everything I could into becoming a national champ, but it’s time to move on.

“I would like to thank Coach Bono, Reader, and Gross for taking a chance on a guy who thought his career was over and (helping) me get back to where I belong. I owe them the world. I am excited to dive head first into the freestyle scene to accomplish my goals of becoming a World and Olympic Champ.”

Gomez began his career with the Cyclones in 2017-18 and went 8-0 during his redshirt year and was inserted into the starting lineup the following year.

Gomez went 24-7 at 133 pounds en route to a Round of 12 finish at the 2019 NCAA Tournament. But concussions derailed his wrestling career over the next two years.

Originally, Gomez thought he was going to retire from the sport but he opted to return and ended up transferring to Wisconsin.

IN his first year, Gomez wrestled at 149 pounds and was a showman. He went 23-4, won a Big Ten title over Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso and took fourth in at NCAAs to become an All-American for the first time.

Gomez went 0-2 at the Big Ten Tournament this past year but finished in the Round of 16 at NCAAs while dealing with injury. A 12-6 season didn’t live up to his magical 2022 run, but Gomez was electric.

Gomez finished his career 59-17 and will represent Mexico as he chases a World title and eventually his pursuit for the Olympics in freestyle wrestling.