Thomas Gilman

Born and raised in Iowa to Patrick and Cheri Gilman, Thomas moved to Nebraska to attended Skutt Catholic High School in Omaha.[3] As a high school wrestler, Gilman went on to become the twentieth four-time Nebraska (NSAA) state champion in history and helped the team reach three state titles.[4] He also won the 2009 NHSCA National title at 103 pounds as a freshman.[5]

As a senior (11'-12'), Gilman committed to Terry Brands and the Iowa Hawkeyes as the top-recruit in the state of Nebraska.[6]

While redshirting (12'-13'), Gilman compiled 23 wins (14 of them with bonus points) and 5 losses, two Open tournament titles and ended up the season on a seven match win-streak.[7] As a freshman (13'-14'), he racked up a 16-3 mark, including 7 victories and 2 losses in dual meets and a Midlands title, where he recorded wins over defending NCAA champion Jesse Delgado and three-time ACC champion Jarrod Garnett.[8] However, he was not the starter at 125 pounds for the post-season tournaments (NCAA's and Big Ten's) after being defeated by his teammate Cory Clark in a wrestle-off for the spot.[9]

As a sophomore (14-'15'), he compiled 31 wins and 6 losses, a 15-2 record in dual meets, a perfect 9-0 in Big Ten duals and Midlands runner-up honors.[10][11] In the post-season, he claimed runner-up honors at the Big Ten Championships to Buckeyes' Nathan Tomasello[12] and became an All-American with a fourth place finish at the NCAA's.[13]

As a junior (15'-16'), Gilman kept on improving his W/L ratio with a 28-2 record, with a perfect 17-0 mark in dual meets.[11] His first loss came at the Big Ten Championships' semifinals and was handed by two-time NCAA National runner-up Nico Megaludis, and came back to claim third-place at the tournament.[14] At the NCAA championships, he dominantly reached the finale with two majors, one technical fall and a pin over the defending NCAA champion Nathan Tomasello, while also avenging his last season's loss.[15] In the finals, Gilman was once again downed by Nico Megaludis from PSU, claiming runner-up honors.[16]

In his final year (16'-17'), Gilman compiled 32 wins and a lone loss, with a 15-0 mark at dual meets. He led the Hawkeyes on falls and technical falls, scored bonus points in 26 out of 32 wins and won the Midland Championships, being named the Outstanding Wrestler as well.[11] After being the top-ranked 125 pounder in the country throughout the whole season, Gilman claimed his first Big Ten title by topping Timothy Lambert from Nebraska in the finals.[17] As the top-seed at the NCAA's, Gilman was on a dominant with two majors and a fall over rival Nick Piccininni to make the semifinals, but was defeated by the eventual winner of the championship Darian Cruz, getting thrown to the consolation side of the bracket. He came back with a victory over second-seeded Joey Dance and once again downed Nick Piccininni, now 13-6 to claim third place.[18]

Gilman graduated with 107 wins and 12 losses.[19]