'Gable Steveson Day' Celebrated At AVHS Pep Rally

APPLE VALLEY, MN — The Apple Valley community came together Thursday afternoon to celebrate its very own Olympic gold-medalist, Gable Steveson.

The city of Apple Valley named Sept. 2 "Gable Steveson Day."

The celebration, attended by Gable Steveson and his parents, took place at a pep rally in Apple Valley High School's gymnasium.

Students, faculty and staff members attended the celebration, joined by the school's former athletic director Virgil Jones, the school's former principal Michael Bolsoni, Mayor of Apple Valley Clint Hooppaw, Dakota County Commissioner Mary Hamann-Roland and City Council.

Steveson, a 2018 Apple Valley High School graduate, won a gold medal in Men's Freestyle 125kg Wrestling in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Mayor Hooppaw presented Steveson with a proclamation at the celebration, officially naming Sept. 2 after him.

"What an honor it is to be back in Apple Valley right now," Steveson said. "Life's been crazy for me, but I'm happy that I could take this time to share this moment with you guys. To come back to the United States with a gold medal and to bring it back to Apple Valley is something special and I hope it inspires everybody here to keep pushing, never give up on their dreams and that your life can change in a second, just like mine did."

"So, I'm happy to accept this honor," he continued. "Thank you to the mayor, Coach Barlage and Coach Wasmund for being here too. What a fantastic moment it is for me, and like I said: Never give up on your dreams, and keep pushing every day to be better. Happy Gable Steveson Day, and thank you."

During his time at Apple Valley High School, Steveson was a four-time state champion in wrestling and had a career record of 173-0, earning the highest winning percentage in Minnesota's history, Head Wrestling Coach Joshua Barlage shared with the crowd.

Steveson also won the Mr. Minnesota Award as the state's best wrestler, and was the number one overall high school recruit in the country, Barlage said.

Steveson is additionally the youngest-ever super heavyweight free-style wrestling gold medalist, Hooppaw shared during his speech.

If you missed Thursday's celebration, you can view it here.