Two University of Minnesota wrestlers were arrested Saturday night on "probable cause criminal sexual conduct" and suspended from the team pending investigation. Rising sophomore heavyweight Gable Steveson, who finished in third place at the NCAA Wrestling Championships as a true freshman, and teammate Dylan Martinez were taken into custody by Minneapolis Police and the university is "in the process of gathering more information."
As reported by Beth McDonough of KSTP-TV, the two are being held at Hennepin County Jail. A statement from the Minneapolis Police Department explained that the suspects were taken into custody on the evening of June 15, as part of "a multi-jurisdictional investigation" under the leadership of MPD.
We now have the mugshot for Gable Steveson, U of M wrestler arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct. @KSTP LATEST INFO HERE: https://t.co/IVXX4aKNb1 pic.twitter.com/SROmpEKwet
— Zach Tecklenburg (@zachteck) June 16, 2019
The wrestlers were arrested at different times and different locations, and at this point authorities have not released any details as to the date or location of the alleged sexual misconduct.
A statement released by the University of Minnesota athletic department to local media said, "We are aware of a situation involving two of our student-athletes and are in the process of gathering more information. These students have been suspended from all team activity pending further information. Federal and state law precludes any further details at this time."
Steveson was a four-time state champion from Apple Valley, Minn., and a frequent rival of fellow Minnesota high school star Greg Kerkvliet, Jr., an incoming freshman at Ohio State also expected to wrestle heavyweight. Steveson finished his freshman season 35-2 as Big Ten runner-up and as the highest-placing true freshman of the year at the NCAA tournament.
He faced Nick Gwiazdowski earlier this month for a shot at making the U.S. Men's Senior Freestyle World Team, but came up short to Gwiz in the Final X best-of-three series, and could theoretically challenge Kerkvliet for the 125 kg spot on the U23 Men's World Team, a spot the young Buckeye won at the U23 World Team Trials. As Steveson had qualified to challenge Gwiz at Final X, he still held the option to challenge Kerkvliet, though it was unclear prior to his arrest if he intended to do so.
Martinez is a recent transfer from Fresno City College.
Source: @bmcdonoughkstp
