Greg Kerkvliet

Kerkvliet grew up in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota and wrestled for Simley High School. In high school, he was a four-time Minnesota state champion and finished with a 218-36 record.{{Cite web |title=Greg Kerkvliet - Wrestling |url=https://gopsusports.com/sports/wrestling/roster/greg-kerkvliet/15265 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Penn State Athletics |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2013-05-29 |title=High School Career Records – Wrestlers by Record |url=https://theguillotine.com/high-school-career-records-wrestlers-by-record/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=The Guillotine |language=en-US}} Kerkvliet began wrestling in his youth, after his older sister brought home a flyer from her elementary school.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-23 |title=#PSUwr Feature: Greg Kerkvliet- Wrestling and Beyond |url=https://gopsusports.com/news/2023/10/23/-psuwr-feature-greg-kerkvliet-wrestling-and-beyond.aspx |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Penn State Athletics |language=en}}

In September 2017, Kerkvliet won the 2017 Cadet World Championships at 100 kg with a victory over Russia's Ismail-Bek Nirov.{{Cite web |last=Nomad |first=Wrestling |date=2017-09-10 |title=Three USA Gold Medals On Last Day Of Cadet Worlds |url=https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/6006565-three-usa-gold-medals-on-last-day-of-cadet-worlds |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=FloWrestling |language=en}}

In his junior year of high school, Kerkvliet finished 51-1, with his only loss being a 3-2 decision to future Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson. Kerkvliet initially intended to spend his senior season at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but changed his mind to return to Simley High for his senior season.{{Cite web |last=Kissling |first=Ben |date=2018-09-11 |title=Kerkvliet Commits to Ohio State |url=https://www.simleywrestling.com/news_article/show/949188-kerkvliet-commits-to-ohio-state- |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Simley Wrestling |language=en-us}} In July 2018, Kerkvliet fell to Amir Zare of Iran to take home silver at the 2018 Cadet World Championships.{{Cite web |title=See the results for the UWW Cadet World Championships wrestling event on FloWrestling.org |url=https://www.flowrestling.org/results/6219117-uww-cadet-world-championships/24716 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.flowrestling.org |language=en}}

In September 2018, Kerkvliet suffered an ACL tear, forcing him to withdraw from the Junior World Championships and delaying his senior season.{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=James |title=Cadet World champ Greg Kerkvliet nearing return from ACL tear |url=https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/PortalPost.jsp?postId=964403132 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Trackwrestling}} Despite the late start, Kerkvliet went undefeated in the high school season, winning a state title and being named Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler of the Year.{{Cite web |date=2019-03-16 |title=Simley's Greg Kerkvliet Chosen as 2019 Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler |url=https://theguillotine.com/2019/03/simleys-greg-kerkvliet-chosen-as-2019-mr-minnesota-high-school-wrestler/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=The Guillotine |language=en-US}} He was named the Junior Schalles Award winner by WIN Magazine as the nation's top high school pinner after recording a fall in 21 out of 22 contested matches.{{Cite web |last=Finn |first=Mike |date=2019-05-23 |title=Junior Schalles Award winner Kerkvliet made season even shorter with quick pins |url=https://www.win-magazine.com/2019/05/23/kerkvliet-wins-junior-schalles-award/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=WIN Magazine |language=en-US}}

Kerkvliet was considered the number one recruit in the Class of 2019 by FloWrestling.{{Cite web |title=Seniors |url=https://www.flowrestling.org/rankings/6031558-class-of-2019-big-board/31199-the-final-2019-senior-big-board |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.flowrestling.org |language=en}} He committed to Minnesota in October 2016, but decommitted and pledged to Oklahoma State in November 2017.{{Cite web |last=Pyles |first=Christian |date=2017-11-05 |title=Daniel Kerkvliet Decommits From Minnesota, Then Commits To Oklahoma State |url=https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/6032565-daniel-kerkvliet-decommits-from-minnesota-then-commits-to-oklahoma-state |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=FloWrestling |language=en}} In July 2018, Kerkvliet, reopened his commitment once again, ultimately choosing Ohio State.{{Cite web |title=Daniel Kerkvliet commits to Ohio State wrestling |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/college/2018/09/10/greg-kerkvliet-commits-ohio-state-wrestling/1263189002/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=North Jersey Media Group |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Nomad |first=Wrestling |date=2018-07-25 |title=#1 Kerkvliet Re-Opens Commitment, Releases School List |url=https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/6231674-1-kerkvliet-re-opens-commitment-releases-school-list |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=FloWrestling |language=en}}

Kerkvliet enrolled at Ohio State ahead of the 2019-2020 season. Prior to the season, he said that he did not intend to redshirt his freshman year.{{Cite web |last=Spey |first=Andrew |date=2019-09-25 |title=Kerkvliet Does NOT Plan On Redshirting |url=https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/6567880-kerkvliet-does-not-plan-on-redshirting |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=FloWrestling |language=en}} In October 2019, Kerkvliet wrestled for the U23 United States World Team in Budapest, placing fifth.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-30 |title=Kerkvliet places fifth, Berge goes 0-2 at U23 World Championships |url=https://theguillotine.com/2019/10/kerkvliet-places-fifth-berge-goes-0-2-at-u23-world-championships/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=The Guillotine |language=en-US}} On November 1, 2019, Kerkvliet entered the transfer portal, without ever wrestling a match for Ohio State.{{Cite web |date=2019-11-01 |title=Former No. 1 Recruit Greg Kerkvliet Will Transfer from Ohio State |url=https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-wrestling/2019/11/108375/former-no-1-recruit-greg-kerkvliet-has-entered-the-transfer-portal |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Eleven Warriors |language=en}}

Kerkvliet committed to Penn State on December 5, 2019, joining a Nittany Lion Wrestling Club heavyweight room that already included Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder and reigning NCAA champion Anthony Cassar.{{Cite web |last=Colucci |first=Anthony |date=2019-12-06 |title=Former Top Recruit Greg Kerkvliet to Transfer to Penn State Wrestling |url=https://www.statecollege.com/articles/local-news/former-top-recruit-greg-kerkvliet-to-transfer-to-penn-state-wrestling/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=StateCollege.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Colucci |first=Anthony |date=2019-10-10 |title=Ohio State Legend, Olympic Gold Medalist Kyle Snyder To Join Nittany Lion Wrestling Club |url=https://onwardstate.com/2019/10/10/ohio-state-legend-olympic-gold-medalist-kyle-snyder-to-join-nittany-lion-wrestling-club/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Onward State |language=en-US}} Kerkvliet took a redshirt season in 2019-2020, compiling an 8-0 record in two open tournaments.{{Cite web |title=WrestleStat {{!}} Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) Profile |url=https://www.wrestlestat.com/wrestler/61842/kerkvliet-greg/profile |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.wrestlestat.com}}

Kerkvliet entered the COVID-19 shortened 2020-2021 season with an injury that was expected to hold him out for the season.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-10 |title=Wrestling news and notes: Kerkvliet expected to miss the 2021 season |url=https://www.wtaj.com/sports/nittany-nation/wrestling-news-and-notes-kerkvliet-expected-to-miss-the-2021-season/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=WTAJ - www.wtaj.com |language=en-US}} On February 22, 2021, he made a surprise debut in the final dual meet of the season versus Maryland, pinning his opponent in the first period.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-22 |title=Penn State Wrestling's Greg Kerkvliet makes dominant debut (VIDEO) |url=https://victorybellrings.com/2021/02/22/penn-state-wrestling-greg-kerkvliet-debut/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Victory Bell Rings |language=en-US}} Kerkvliet would go on to finish fourth in the 2021 Big Ten Tournament, with losses to Michigan's Mason Parris and Iowa's Anthony Cassioppi. He placed seventh and earned All-American status at the NCAA Tournament.{{Cite web |title=Greg Kerkvliet - Wrestling |url=https://gopsusports.com/sports/wrestling/roster/greg-kerkvliet/15265 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Penn State Athletics |language=en}}

Now fully healthy, Kerkvliet was the Nittany Lions starting heavyweight in 2021-2022. He finished the regular season 14-1, with a victory over Parris and a loss to Cassioppi at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.{{Cite web |title=WrestleStat {{!}} Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) Profile |url=https://www.wrestlestat.com/wrestler/61842/kerkvliet-greg/profile |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.wrestlestat.com}} Kerkvliet was named the three seed at the Big Ten Tournament, and defeated Parris in the third-place match following another loss to Cassioppi in the semifinals.{{Cite web |url=https://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/MainFrame.jsp?newSession=false&TIM=1713384729331&pageName=/predefinedtournaments/BracketViewer.jsp&twSessionId=isxibnjwbn |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.trackwrestling.com}} At the NCAA Tournament, Kerkvliet claimed his second All-American finish with a fourth place showing. He was defeated by fellow Minnesotan Gable Steveson in the semifinal before clinching a top-four finish with his third victory over Parris in the consolation semifinals.

Kerkvliet returned to an open heavyweight field in 2022-2023 following the retirement of Gable Steveson.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Damon |date=2022-03-19 |title=Gable Steveson retires from wrestling after winning second NCAA title as he moves onto WWE |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/19/22987165/gable-steveson-retires-from-wrestling-after-winning-second-ncaa-title-as-he-moves-onto-wwe |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} He finished the dual meet season 13-1, with a home victory over Anthony Cassioppi and a home loss to Mason Parris. At the Big Ten Tournament, Kerkvliet, a two seed, won a match versus Ohio State's Tate Orndorff and a rematch with Cassioppi before falling to Parris for the second time in 2023 to finish as the Big Ten runner-up.{{Cite web |title=Mason Parris wins 285lb Big Ten Wrestling Championship {{!}} mgoblog |url=https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/mason-parris-wins-285lb-big-ten-wrestling-championship |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=mgoblog.com}} After defeating two seed Wyatt Hendrickson of Air Force in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament, Kerkvliet lost to Parris for a third time in 2023, resulting in a second place medal and third All-American finish.{{Cite web |title=Parris Caps Perfect Season, Wins Heavyweight National Title |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2023/3/18/wrestling-parris-caps-perfect-season-wins-heavyweight-national-title |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=University of Michigan Athletics |language=en}}

Kerkvliet entered the 2023-2024 season as FloWrestling's top ranked NCAA heavyweight wrestler.{{Cite web |title=285 |url=https://www.flowrestling.org/rankings/10846490-2023-24-ncaa-di-rankings/46614-285-greg-kerkvliet |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.flowrestling.org |language=en}} On November 21, 2023, he defeated number two ranked Hendrickson by technical fall at the NWCA All-Star Classic.{{Cite web |last=Wogenrich |first=Mark |date=2023-11-22 |title=Penn State Wrestling Goes 4-1 at NWCA All-Star Classic |url=https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/wrestling/penn-state-wrestling-nittany-lions-dominant-nwca-all-star-classic |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} He went 12-0 in regular season matches and clinched his first Big Ten title with a 9-3 victory over Nick Feldman of Ohio State at the Big Ten Tournament.{{Cite web |last=Wogenrich |first=Mark |date=2024-03-10 |title=Penn State Wrestling Rolls to Another Big Ten Championship |url=https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/wrestling/penn-state-wrestling-nittany-lions-win-team-title-2024-big-ten-wrestling-championships |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} At the NCAA Tournament, Kerkvliet survived a tight 1-0 rematch with Feldman in the quarterfinals, defeated Cohlton Schultz of Arizona State in the semifinals, and defeated Michigan's Lucas Davison by major decision in the final to earn his first NCAA title.{{Cite web |last=Pickel |first=Greg |date=2024-03-23 |title=Penn State heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet wins first NCAA title |url=https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/penn-state-heavyweight-greg-kerkvliet-wins-first-ncaa-title/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=On3 |language=en}}

{{s-start}}

! colspan="7"| Senior Freestyle Matches

|-

! Res.

! Record

! Opponent

! Score

! Date

! Event

! Location

|-

! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2024 US Olympic Team Trials 4th at 125 kg}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|9-5

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Dom Bradley

|style="font-size:88%"|2-2

|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|April 19, 2024

|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|2024 US Olympic Team Trials

|style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=4|{{flagicon|USA}} State College, Pennsylvania

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|9-4

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Wyatt Hendrickson

|style="font-size:88%"|TF 11-0

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|8-4

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Nick Gwiazdowski

|style="font-size:88%"|1-5

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|8-3

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Christian Lance

|style="font-size:88%"|TF 10-0

|-

! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2020 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 125 kg}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|7-3

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Anthony Nelson

|style="font-size:88%"|1-3

|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|April 2, 2021

|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|2020 US Olympic Team Trials

|style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=3|{{flagicon|USA}} Fort Worth, Texas

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|7-2

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Gable Steveson

|style="font-size:88%"|TF 0-11

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|7-1

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Mason Parris

|style="font-size:88%"|4-4

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|6-1

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Demetrius Thomas

|style="font-size:88%"|TF 10-0

|style="font-size:88%"|October 20, 2020

|style="font-size:88%"|2020 NLWC II – 125 kg

|style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;"|{{flagicon|USA}} State College, Pennsylvania

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|5-1

|align=left|{{flagicon|EGY}} Youssif Hemida

|style="font-size:88%"|TF 10-0

|style="font-size:88%"|September 19, 2020

|style="font-size:88%"|2020 NLWC I – 125 kg

|style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;"|{{flagicon|USA}} State College, Pennsylvania

|-

! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small|2019 US Senior Nationals {{bronze3}} at 125 kg}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|4-1

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Nick Nevills

|style="font-size:88%"|3-0

|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|December 20, 2019

|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2019 US Senior Nationals

|style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=5|{{flagicon|USA}} Fort Worth, Texas

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|3-1

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Garrett Ryan

|style="font-size:88%"|TF 10-0

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|2-1

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Anthony Nelson

|style="font-size:88%"|2-3

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|2-0

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Nick Nevills

|style="font-size:88%"|Fall

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|1-0

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Mauro Correnti

|style="font-size:88%"|TF 10-0

{{end}}

Kerkvliet was invited to compete in the over 80kg division of the Craig Jones Invitational on August 17-18, 2024.{{cite web |title=Full Updated Competitor List For The Craig Jones Invitational |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/full-updated-competitor-list-for-the-craig-jones-invitational/ |website=Jitsmagazine |access-date=27 July 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Blackett |first1=Todd |title=Daniel Greg Kerkvliet Becomes Final Man At Over 80kg For Craig Jones Invitational |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/daniel-greg-kerkvliet-becomes-final-man-at-over-80kg-for-craig-jones-invitational/ |website=Jitsmagazine |date=July 12, 2024 |access-date=27 July 2024}} He lost to Fellipe Andrew by decision in the opening round.{{cite web |title=Craig Jones Invitational 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/craig-jones-invitational-2024-live-results-play-by-play-analysis-highlights-more/ |website=Jitsmagazine |access-date=17 August 2024}}

Kerkvliet has expressed interest in other combat sports, and has spent offseasons training in MMA, boxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Upon leaving Penn State, Kerkvliet hopes to become a professional MMA fighter. On January 26, 2023, Kerkvliet was announced as a member of WWE's Next in Line NIL program.{{Cite web |last=Zucker |first=Joseph |title=WWE Announces 3rd NIL Class Including Penn State All-American Wrestler Greg Kerkvliet |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10063084-wwe-announces-3rd-nil-class-including-penn-state-all-american-wrestler-greg-kerkvliet |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} His father, Greg, also wrestled at Simley High School.{{Cite web |date=2019-01-16 |title=Post-surgery, Simley heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet ready to return to the mat — and dominate |url=https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/16/post-surgery-simley-heavyweight-greg-kerkvliet-read-to-return-to-the-mat-and-dominate/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US}} Kerkvliet is a Christian.{{Cite web |title=A night to make history? Greg Kerkvliet begins Penn State wrestling's NCAA title drive |url=https://www.ydr.com/story/sports/college/2024/03/23/greg-kerkvliet-penn-state-wrestling-on-ncaa-championships-title-drive/73078551007/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=York Daily Record |language=en-US}}

{{2025 Big Ten Wrestling Championships medalists}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kerkvliet, Greg}}

Category:African-American sport wrestlers

Category:Living people

Category:American male sport wrestlers

Category:Penn State Nittany Lions wrestlers

Category:Amateur wrestlers

Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:2000 births

Category:Sportspeople from Minnesota

Category:People from Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota