Legacy. What does that word mean? For some, it might mean Olympic medals, while for others it might mean NCAA titles. Or maybe some may say an unbeaten winning streak is what makes one’s legacy. But if that’s the case, then Gable Steveson has already made a legacy like none other. With an Olympic gold, 2 NCAA titles and an unbeaten run, he is a made man. Yet as more and more people are giving their views on his Minnesota return, the man himself is not making much of it. But why should he? After all, he will be done in just a few months.Gable’s return was supposed to be a welcome surprise for the fans. But things suddenly started to go downhill pretty quickly. Phrases like “Gable Steveson wrestling again seems kinda silly. Ragdolled a kid from NDSU tonight in Fargo” or “Has anyone messed up their career more after winning a Gold Medal than Gable Steveson?” became a daily norm for Gable Steveson? But why is that so? Well, it is pretty straightforward. Gable Steveson was already a beast in his playing days. Now, after having gathered so much experience competing in the Olympics, Steveson looked like an unbalanced matchup. Fans quickly turned against him and bashed him for being an Olympic gold medalist trying to bully college-level kids. So, with all the negative attention he was getting, was Gable Steveson worried? Well, not actually. Instead, he remained focused on his goal—to help his college team win the title. And irrespective of whether Minnesota wins the NCAA title or not, Steveson has surely established his legacy in golden letters. Right from the very first game, Steveson looked like a rock. Putting over one opponent after the other, he kept winning his matches at a stretch. And the streak was never broken. Signing off his NCAA regular season, Gable Steveson has remained unbeaten. What’s more? He has held the pride of his college high as Steveson has clinched the top spot in the NCAA rankings for the 285 lbs category. The Olympian’s performances stood out for a host of reasons. One of them is to be able to remain focused despite his team’s down and out. A recent example of this virtue could be seen when the Gophers faced Iowa. Competing in his last home match at the Maturi Pavilion, the crowd went berserk cheering for Steveson. Unfortunately, much to the anti-climax, it was Iowa who secured the victory 23-11. But the crowd did not leave dissatisfied. Rather, it was Gable Steveson who did not let his fans go home without taking away any sweet memories. Delivering yet another emphatic performance, Steveson won his bout 19-3. He also won it via a first-period technical fall. During the bout, Steveson’s dominance could be assessed from the fact that he dropped four takedowns and seven near-falls on his opponent! As his winning streak stretched to 63, Steveson is right on the verge of becoming an NCAA legend. With the latest NCAA rankings further cementing his superiority in the 285 lbs division, Steveson’s future looks even shinier. But, before he leaves the NCAA, Gable Steveson is expected to get a major and prestigious honor for all his hustles inside of the wrestling mat.Gable Steveson earns nomination for prestigious award amid criticismsGable Steveson is already reigning as the University of Minnesota’s wrestling sensation. But amid news of his wins and his ranking at the top, he has been named a semifinalist for one of the most prestigious awards. It is the 95th AAU James E. Sullivan Award—an honor recognizing the nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete. Gable has achieved remarkable accomplishments in his wrestling career. This includes two NCAA championships and an Olympic gold medal. Adding to that, Steveson also boasts a super-impressive 96-2 career record and a perfect 59-0 in dual meets, underscored by a 63-match winning streak—the third-longest in the program’s history. Steveson’s inclusion among the 39 semifinalists underscores his impact honestly.Notably, fellow wrestler Aaron Brooks joins him. Brooks is a four-time NCAA champion and 2024 Olympic champion from Penn State University. Their nominations highlight the strength of the wrestling community this year. The AAU Sullivan Award, established in 1930, honors athletes who exemplify leadership, character, sportsmanship, and athletic excellence. Public voting for the award commenced on February 18, 2025, and concluded on February 25. The winner will be announced on April 15 at the New York Athletic Club. Fans, supporters, and sports fanatics eagerly await the outcome. But Gable Steveson has yet again undoubtedly proved his caliber. Steveson’s exceptional achievements, along with his commitment and contribution to his sport, have once again drawn the spotlight with his nomination for such an accolade!The post Gable Steveson Unbothered by Criticism as Olympic Champion Ends NCAA Career with Unbeaten Streak Intact appeared first on EssentiallySports.