David Taylor (wrestler, born 1990)

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David Taylor
David Taylor 2021.JPG
Personal information
Full nameDavid Morris Taylor III
NicknameMagic Man [1]
Born (1990-12-05) December 5, 1990 (age 34)
Reno, Nevada, U.S.
Home town St. Paris, Ohio, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight86 kg (190 lb)
Sport
CountryUnited States
Sport Wrestling
Event(s) Freestyle and Folkstyle
College team Penn State
ClubCowboy Wrestling Club
TeamUSA
Coached by Cael Sanderson
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Olympic rings.svg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2020 Tokyo 86 kg
World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2018 Budapest 86 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2022 Belgrade 86 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2023 Belgrade 86 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2021 Oslo 86 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2024 Tirana 92 kg
World Cup
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2018 Iowa City Team
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2017 Kermanshah Team
Pan American Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2018 Lima 86 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2019 Buenos Aires 86 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2021 Guatemala 86 kg
Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2018 Krasnoyarsk 86 kg
World University Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2013 Kazan 74 kg
US Open Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2015 Las Vegas74 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2017 Las Vegas86 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2018 Las Vegas86 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2013 Las Vegas74 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2014 Las Vegas74 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2015 Las Vegas (SN)86 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Penn State Nittany Lions
NCAA Division I Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2012 St. Louis165 lb
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2014 Oklahoma City165 lb
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg2011 Philadelphia157 lb
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg2013 Des Moines165 lb
Big Ten Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2011 Evanston157 lb
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2012 West Lafayette165 lb
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2013 Illinois165 lb
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2014 Madison165 lb

David Morris Taylor III (born December 5, 1990) is an American former freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competed in the 74, 86 and 92-kilogram categories. [2] He is the current head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. [3]

Contents

With his most prestigious accolades coming at 86 kilograms, Taylor was most notably the 2020 Summer Olympic gold medalist, a World champion in 2018, 2022 and 2023, and held one of the biggest rivalries in the sport's history against Hassan Yazdani. [4]

One of the most accomplished Nittany Lions in the history of the Penn State program, Taylor was twice the NCAA Division I National champion at 165 pounds, and earned the Dan Hodge Trophy two times during his collegiate years. [5]

Folkstyle career

High school

Born in Reno, Nevada, Taylor attended Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio. As a high schooler, Taylor became a four-time OHSAA state champion with an outstanding 180–2 record and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He received the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 2009 as the nation's top high school wrestler. [6] [7]

College

During his time at Penn State (2009–2014), Taylor went on to become a two-time NCAA Division I national champion (four-time finalist), a four-time Big Ten Conference champion, and two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner. [5] After a perfect freshman year to that point, Taylor was pinned by Arizona State's Bubba Jenkins at the NCAA finals. [8] As a sophomore, he moved up from 157 pounds (71 kg) to 165 lb (75 kg), winning the NCAA title and being named the best college wrestler in the US as the Dan Hodge Trophy winner with a 70–1 overall record.

As a junior, he faced Kyle Dake from Cornell in the NCAA finals, who moved up to attempt to become the third four-time NCAA champion and the first to win titles at four different weight classes in the history of the NCAA. After a back-and-forth battle, Taylor was defeated 5–4. [9] As a senior, he once again had an undefeated campaign, claimed his second NCAA title, helped clinch the team title for the Nittany Lions, and became the third multiple-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner in history. [10] Taylor graduated with 134 wins and three losses, 50 pins, 42 technical falls, and 29 major decisions. [10]

Freestyle career

2010–2012

Taylor made his freestyle debut in April 2010, when he claimed a University US National title. [11] In 2012, he competed at the US Olympic Team Trials, where he went 3–2. [12]

2013–2014

In 2013, Taylor claimed runner-up honors at the US Open in April, defeating Nick Marable to reach the finals and then being downed by the defending Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs. [13] After pinning '12 Junior World Champion Magomed Kurbanaliev from Russia at Beat the Streets, [14] Taylor became a two-time US University National and made the US University World Team on May. [15] At the '13 US World Team Trials Challenge of June, Taylor went 4–1 with a lone loss to four-time NCAA Division I National Kyle Dake to claim third-place. [16] At the 2013 Summer Universiade, he claimed a bronze medal for the United States. [17]

In 2014, last year's US Open results were repeated when Taylor fell to Jordan Burroughs, this rematch being much closer and forcing the now defending World Champion to come from behind to get the last minute comeback. [18] After dominating the eventual '16 Olympic bronze medalist and at-the-time two-time World bronze medalist and two-time European Champion Jabrayil Hasanov at Beat the Streets, Taylor made the US World Team Trials finals, but was defeated twice in a row by Burroughs. [19]

2015–2016

Now able to focus on freestyle full-time after graduating from college, Taylor opened up the 2015 year with a fifth-place finish at the Yasar Dogu, where he went 3–2. [20] He then claimed his first US Open National title in May, [21] followed up by a technical fall over Cuba's Liván López at Beat the Streets. [22] In his fourth attempt to make the US World Team, Taylor was once again overpowered by Kyle Dake in the challenge tournament, but he came back and claimed the third place when he beat veteran Andrew Howe. [23] Taylor then claimed Grand Prix of Spain and Stepan Sargsyan Cup gold medals in July, [24] [25] before making the decision to bulk up to the 86 kilogram division on September. [26] Taylor took fifth-place at the Golden Grand Prix of November, and seemed overpowered in his first tournament at a new weight class. [27] On December, Taylor competed at the US Senior Nationals, and after running through '14 US World Team member and teammate Ed Ruth, [28] Taylor was defeated by long-time rival Kyle Dake. [29]

In 2016, Taylor was unable to make the US Olympic Team, as he was defeated by Dake for the fifth time in the senior level, forcing Taylor to battle for the bronze medal, which he comfortably earned. [30] He then claimed his second Spain Grand Prix title on July, [31] and competed again at the World Clubs Cup of December, where he went 3-1 and helped TMWC reach the first-place, while also defeating the accomplished Alireza Karimi. [32]

2017

In his first competition of the year, Taylor dominated the Grand Prix of Paris in January, [33] and despite being initially banned by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, [34] he competed at the World Cup in February in Iran. [35] At the World Cup, he defeated four top-level opponents: '12 Olympic bronze medalist and two-time European Champion Dato Marsagishvili in the first round (8-3), that year's World Championship bronze medalist Vladislav Valiev (TF 14–4), '12 Olympic Gold medalist Sharif Sharifov (TF 12–2), and '16 Olympic Gold medalist Hassan Yazdani (fall). [36]

Taylor claimed his second US national title in April, with an overall score of 40–4 against five opponents. [37] After a quick win at Beat the Streets, [38] Taylor made the World Team Trials finals when he ran through '16 US OTT Greco-Roman champion Joe Rau and '12 Junior World Championship runner-up Pat Downey, and defeated three-time NCAA Division I All-American Nick Heflin to make the best-of-three, where he faced returning Olympic Bronze medalist J'den Cox. [39] In the first match, Taylor rallied comfortably with a 9–3 win, but was closely defeated in the second match 4–3, leading to a controversial third bout due to Cox's sweat and alleged passivity, which caused Taylor to kick the challenge cube and his cornerman Cael Sanderson to throw items at the official and a chair onto the mat after losing 5–3. [40] [41]

He came back to competition at the World Clubs Cup on December, where he helped the TMWC to second place with notable victories over Alireza Karimi and Pawan Kumar. [42]

2018

To start off the year, Taylor became only the 12th American to claim a gold medal at the Ivan Yarygin Golden Grand Prix, considered the toughest open tournament in the world. [43] He opened with a win over two-time (and defending) Pan American champion Yurieski Torreblanca, followed by Selim Yaşar on points and a fall over '17 Junior World Champion Artur Naifonov to make the finals. In the finals, he got another fall, this time over Fatih Erdin, to claim the gold medal. [44] On April, he claimed his second consecutive World Cup championship, recording four technical falls to help secure the gold medal for the United States. [45] [46] He also clinched his third US National title, with four victories over fellow Americans. [47]

On May, he claimed his first Pan American title, with notable wins over Yurieski Torreblanca, Pool Ambrocio and Eduardo Gajardo. [48] On his seventh attempt to make the US World/Olympic Team, Taylor finally and dominantly was able to punch tickets to the World Championships, when he defeated '18 Bill Farrell Memorial medalist Nick Reenan twice via technical fall on May, at Final X: State College. [49] He then warmed up at the Yasar Dogu of July, with four dominant pins over foreigners. [50]

At the World Championships, Taylor had a tough start, as he faced his biggest threat of the tournament in the first round, '16 Olympic Gold medalist and defending World champion Hassan Yazdani from Iran. After being down two points to six at the end of the first period, Taylor was able to overcome adversity and put on nine points on his side, finishing the legendary match 11–6. [51] In the next round, he tech'd '18 Alexander Medved champion Hajy Rajabau from Belarus, to advance to the quarterfinals. [52] Next, he picked apart the accomplished Cuban Yurieski Torreblanca, to pick up an 8–0 victory. [53] In the semifinals, he had it harder, as he went to the distance against the '17 European Champion and Russia's best Dauren Kurugliev, but was able to score the comeback win 7–5. [54] During the match, Taylor got briefly knocked out after Kurugliev accidentally wheel kicked him on the chin when escaping a single leg attempt by Taylor. [55] In the finals, he dismantled Fatih Erdin from Turkey, overwhelming his opposition with 12 points to two, to claim the World Championship and help Team USA reach third place. [56] [57]

After the year was over, Taylor was named the UWW International Freestyle wrestler of the Year, [58] and was awarded the John Smith Award winner as USA's Freestyle wrestler of the Year. [59]

2019–2020

After time off competition, the returning World Champion came back in April 2019, when he claimed his second straight Pan American title, tournament in where he scored 34 points to none against his four opponents and Team USA claimed all ten medals in freestyle. [60] On May, he competed at the annual Beat the Streets for charity, against Drew Foster, where he suffered a severe knee injury which led him to forfeit out of the match, and ultimately, forced him to stay inactive during the whole year, missing the opportunity to make his second US World Team (forfeiting it to Pat Downey instead, whom he had tech'd twice), to represent the United States at the 2019 Pan American Games or to defend his title at the World Championships. [61] [62] [63]

After almost a full year of no competition, Taylor came back to wrestle in March 2020, at the Pan American Olympic Qualification Tournament. [64] He comfortably got three wins to win the bracket and internationally qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics. [65] Taylor was then scheduled to compete at the US Olympic Team Trials on April 4 at State College, Pennsylvania, where he was a heavy favorite. [66] However, the event was postponed for 2021 along with the Summer Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving all the qualifiers unable to compete. [67]

Taylor was unable to compete for a couple of months due to the pandemic, but was scheduled to wrestle Pat Downey (whom he was unable to wrestle at the '19 US World Trials) on July 25, at FloWrestling: Dake vs. Chamizo. [68] After Downey pulled out of the bout due to problems with the organization, Taylor wrestled and tech'd the accomplished Myles Martin. [69] After more months of inactiveness, Taylor defeated two-time NCAA champion Gabe Dean by points on November 24, at the NLWC III. [70]

2021

To start the year, Taylor was scheduled to face his former rival and five-time World and Olympic champion (at 74 kg) Jordan Burroughs, at 86 kilos, on January 9, while headlining FloWrestling: Burroughs vs. Taylor. [71] However, it was announced on January 8 that Taylor was unable to travel to Austin, Texas due to COVID-19 restrictions and the bout was subsequently postponed for four days later and changed its location for Lincoln, Nebraska, thus moving to a different card also named FloWrestling: Burroughs vs. Taylor. [72] After a 4–0 lead for Taylor in the first period, Burroughs rallied late to score four points of his own, but was unable to secure the victory as Taylor had criteria, defeating Burroughs for the first time in five matches. [73] Taylor was also scheduled to compete at the Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane on January 16, [74] but was not able to travel due to the postponement of his match against Burroughs. [75]

During April 2 to 3, Taylor competed at the rescheduled US Olympic Team Trials as the heavy favorite and top–seed. [76] After cleaning out All–American Brett Pfarr in the quarterfinal round, [77] Taylor flawlessly knocked off reigning US National champion Gabe Dean in a rematch from their match at the NLWC III, advancing to the best–of–three finals. [78] In the finale, Taylor faced reigning U23 World Champion and Penn State legend Bo Nickal, whom he is close with as a friend and teammate at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. He defeated Nickal twice and did not allow him to score any points while scoring ten combined points of his own, becoming the US Olympic Team Member at 86 kilograms, and qualifying him to represent the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics. [79] In regards to his close relationship with Nickal, Taylor then stated:

"It was a weird emotion," Taylor said. "We had a discussion leading up to it, and we have such a deep room in the wrestling club, especially at 86 kilos, so we're challenged every single day and none of us would be where we are without each other. Bo's amazing, and I wouldn't be where I am without Bo." [80]

As a result, Taylor also competed at the Pan American Continental Championships on May 30. [81] Taylor racked up 30 points against his three opponents while not getting scored on to claim the crown and help the USA reach all 10 freestyle medals. [82]

Taylor wrestling Hassan Yazdani in the Olympic finale. Wrestling at the 2020 Summer Olympics - Men's freestyle 86 kg - Hassan Yazdani (IRI) (31).jpg
Taylor wrestling Hassan Yazdani in the Olympic finale.

On August 4, Taylor competed in the first date of men's freestyle 86 kg of the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he looked dominant enough to score technical falls over all of his three opponents on his way to the finals; four-time World Championship medalist Ali Shabanau from Belarus, '20 European Championship runner-up Myles Amine from San Marino and defending World silver medalist Deepak Punia from India. [83] On the other side of the finale awaited rival and reigning Olympic and World Champion Hassan Yazdani from Iran, Taylor meeting him in a rubber match on August 5 after downing him twice earlier in his career. [84] Down 0–2 to a step-out and a passivity point in the second period, Taylor scored the first takedown to tie it up, though Yazdani scored another step-out to make it 2–3 on his favor, before being blasted by Taylor for two points late in the match, resulting in the stunning upset comeback win, shocking the world as the underdog going into the match. This result gained Taylor the 2020 Summer Olympic Games gold medal and extended his win-streak to 54 matches. [85]

As an Olympic medalist, Taylor earned the right to automatically represent the United States at the 2021 World Championships without having to compete domestically to make the US World Team, and did do so in October 2–3. [86] On the first date, Taylor once again ran through his competition, dominating the likes of World Championship runner-ups Boris Makojev and Abubakr Abakarov to cruise to the finale. [87] A fourth match with rival and reigning World Champion Hassan Yazdani took place in the finals, but this time the Iranian came up on top for the first time, nullifying Taylor and snapping his 57-match win streak, marking the series 3–1 in favor of Taylor and the latter leaving with a silver medal. [88]

2022

In June, Taylor stopped two-time NCAA champion Zahid Valencia twice to make the US World Team once again, at Final X NYC. [89] In September, after dominantly cruising to the finals, Taylor avenged his loss to Hassan Yazdani and claimed his second World championship. [90]

2023

Repeating as Final X champion to become the US World Team member at the weight, Taylor defeated US National champion and teammate Aaron Brooks twice in a row in June. [91] At the World Championships, Taylor dominated once again, defeating everyone on his way either by fall or technical fall, including Hassan Yazdani, leading 5–1 in the series. [92]

2024

Competing at the US Olympic Trials in April, Taylor sat in the best-of-three finals as a 2023 World medalist, where he was upset twice in a row by now U23 World and four-time NCAA champion, as well as teammate, Aaron Brooks, losing the series and staying out of the 2024 Summer Olympics. [93] In May, after becoming the head coach at Oklahoma State, Taylor expressed at a press conference that he had retired from the sport as a competitor, at the age of 33. [3]

In September, Taylor, now the head coach of the Cowboys, announced he would come out of retirement to compete at the US World Team Trials up at 92 kilograms. [94] After notorious wins on the first day over NCAA champion Michael Macchiavello and All-Americans Trent Hidlay and Marcus Coleman, Taylor made the best-of-three finals, where he faced returning World medalist Zahid Valencia. [95] Then, after consecutive victories over Valencia, Taylor was back on the US World Team. [96]

In October, he competed at his last World Championships, and in his first at 92 kilograms. [97] In a battle of Tokyo Olympic champions, Taylor fell to seven–time World and Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev from Russia, in the first round. [98] After being pulled back into repechage, Taylor bounced back defeating World medalist Abubakr Abakarov from Azerbaijan and Lars Schäfle from Germany to earn the right to contend for a bronze medal. [99] In a battle of 2022 World champions, Taylor beat two-time World champion Kamran Ghasempour from Iran to earn the bronze medal, and subsequently retired from the sport as an athlete. [100]

Coaching career

Oklahoma State University

In May, a month after a runner-up finish at the 2024 US Olympic Trials, it was announced that Taylor would become the head coach at Oklahoma State University, following John Smith's retirement. [101]

Freestyle record

Senior Freestyle Matches
Res.RecordOpponentScoreDateEventLocation
2024 World Championships Bronze medal icon.svg at 92 kg
Win161–22 Flag of Iran.svg Kamran Ghasempour 6–2October 31, 2024 2024 World Championships Flag of Albania.svg Tirana, Albania
Win160–22 Flag of Germany.svg Lars SchäfleTF 11–1October 30, 2024
Win159–22 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Abubakr Abakarov 3–1
Loss158–22White flag of surrender.svg Abdulrashid Sadulaev 0–7
2024 US World Team Trials Gold medal icon.svg at 92 kg
Win158–21 Flag of the United States.svg Zahid Valencia FallSeptember 15, 20242024 US World Team Trials Flag of the United States.svg Lincoln, Nebraska
Win157–21 Flag of the United States.svg Zahid Valencia 3–3
Win156–21 Flag of the United States.svg Trent Hidlay10–6September 14, 2024
Win155–21 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Macchiavello TF 10–0
Win154–21 Flag of the United States.svg Marcus ColemanFall
Win153–21 Flag of the United States.svg Aidan BrenotTF 10–0
2024 US Olympic Team Trials Silver medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Loss152–21 Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Brooks 1–3April 20, 2024 2024 US Olympic Team Trials

Flag of the United States.svg State College, Pennsylvania

Loss152–20 Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Brooks 1–4
2023 World Championships Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win152–19 Flag of Iran.svg Hassan Yazdani FallSeptember 17, 2023 2023 World Championships Flag of Serbia.svg Belgrade, Serbia
Win151–19 Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Azamat Dauletbekov FallSeptember 16, 2023
Win150–19 Flag of Bahrain.svg Magomed Sharipov TF 12–2
Win149–19 Flag of Austria.svg Benjamin GreilTF 10–0
Win148–19 Flag of Morocco.svg Sofiane Padiou BelmirFall
2023 US World Team Trials Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win147–19 Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Brooks 5–4June 10, 20232023 Final X Newark

Flag of the United States.svg Newark, New Jersey

Win146–19 Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Brooks 6–0
2022 World Championships Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win145–19 Flag of Iran.svg Hassan Yazdani 7-1September 16, 2022 2022 World Championships Flag of Serbia.svg Belgrade, Serbia
Win144–19 Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Azamat Dauletbekov TF 12–0September 15, 2022
Win143–19 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Ethan RamosTF 11–0
Win142–19 Flag of Italy.svg Aron CanevaTF 10–0
2022 US World Team Trials Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win141–19 Flag of the United States.svg Zahid Valencia TF 10–0June 8, 20222022 Final X NYC Flag of the United States.svg New York City, New York
Win140–19 Flag of the United States.svg Zahid Valencia 4–2
2021 World Championships Silver medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Loss139–19 Flag of Iran.svg Hassan Yazdani 2–6October 3, 2021 2021 World Championships Flag of Norway.svg Oslo, Norway
Win139–18 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Abubakr Abakarov FallOctober 2, 2021
Win138–18 Flag of France.svg Akhmed AibuevFall
Win137–18 Flag of Slovakia.svg Boris Makojev TF 11–0
2020 Summer Olympics Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win136–18 Flag of Iran.svg Hassan Yazdani 4–3August 5, 2021 2020 Summer Olympics

Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan

Win135–18 Flag of India.svg Deepak Punia TF 10–0August 4, 2021
Win134–18 Flag of San Marino.svg Myles Amine TF 12–2
Win133–18 Flag of Belarus.svg Ali Shabanau TF 11–0
2021 Pan American Championships Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win132–18 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Clayton PyeTF 10–0May 30, 2021 2021 Pan American Continental Championships Flag of Guatemala.svg Guatemala City, Guatemala
Win131–18 Flag of Colombia.svg Juan Sebastián RiveraTF 10–0
Win130–18 Flag of Mexico.svg Noel Alfonso TorresTF 10–0
2020 US Olympic Team Trials Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win129–18 Flag of the United States.svg Bo Nickal 6–0April 2–3, 2021 2020 US Olympic Team Trials Flag of the United States.svg Fort Worth, Texas
Win128–18 Flag of the United States.svg Bo Nickal 4–0
Win127–18 Flag of the United States.svg Gabe Dean 4–0
Win126–18 Flag of the United States.svg Brett PfarrTF 11–0
Win125–18 Flag of the United States.svg Jordan Burroughs 4–4January 13, 2021 FloWrestling: Burroughs vs. Taylor

Flag of the United States.svg Lincoln, Nebraska

Win124–18 Flag of the United States.svg Gabe Dean 6–2November 24, 2020 NLWC III

Flag of the United States.svg State College, Pennsylvania

Win123–18 Flag of the United States.svg Myles Martin TF 11–0July 25, 2020 FloWrestling: Dake vs. Chamizo

Flag of the United States.svg Austin, Texas

2020 Pan American Olympic Qualification Tournament Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win122–18 Flag of Peru.svg Pool Ambrocio FFMarch 15, 2020 2020 Pan American Olympic Qualification Tournament

Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ottawa, Canada

Win121–18 Flag of Cuba.svg Yurieski Torreblanca 8–0
Win120–18 Flag of Venezuela.svg Pedro Ceballos Fall
2019 Pan American Championships Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win119–18 Flag of Venezuela.svg Pedro Ceballos TF 10–0April 19–21, 2019 2019 Pan American Continental Championships

Flag of Argentina.svg Buenos Aires, Argentina

Win118–18 Flag of Cuba.svg Lazaro HernandezTF 10–0
Win117–18 Flag of Argentina.svg Meruzhan Nikoyan6–0
Win116–18 Flag of the Bahamas.svg Rashji Mackey8–0
2018 World Championships Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win115–18 Flag of Turkey.svg Fatih Erdin TF 12–2October 20–21, 2018 2018 World Championships

Flag of Hungary.svg Budapest, Hungary

Win114–18 Flag of Russia.svg Dauren Kurugliev 7–5
Win113–18 Flag of Cuba.svg Yurieski Torreblanca 8–0
Win112–18 Flag of Belarus.svg Hajy RajabauTF 10–0
Win111–18 Flag of Iran.svg Hassan Yazdani 11–6
2018 Yaşar Doğu International Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win110–18 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Murad SuleymanovFallJuly 27–29, 2018 2018 Yaşar Doğu International

Flag of Turkey.svg Istanbul, Turkey

Win109–18 Flag of Turkey.svg Ahmet BiliciFall
Win108–18 Flag of Slovakia.svg Boris Makojev Fall
Win107–18 Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Azamat DauletbekowFall
2018 US World Team Trials Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win106–18 Flag of the United States.svg Nick ReenanTF 12–0June 15–16, 20182018 Final X: State College

Flag of the United States.svg State College, Pennsylvania

Win105–18 Flag of the United States.svg Nick ReenanTF 13–2
2018 Pan American Championships Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win104–18 Flag of Cuba.svg Yurieski Torreblanca 3–2May 3–6, 2018 2018 Pan American Continental Championships

Flag of Peru.svg Lima, Peru

Win103–18 Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Julio Rodriguez Romero3–0
Win102–18 Flag of Peru.svg Pool Ambrocio TF 11–0
Win101–18 Flag of Chile.svg Eduardo Gajardo TF 12–2
2018 US Open Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win100–18 Flag of the United States.svg Richard Perry8–0April 24–28, 20182018 US Open National Championships

Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas, Nevada

Win99–18 Flag of the United States.svg T.J. DudleyTF 12–2
Win98–18 Flag of the United States.svg Noe Garcia2–0
Win97–18 Flag of the United States.svg Austin CoburnTF 10–0
Win96–18 Flag of the United States.svg Evan HansenTF 10–0
2018 World Cup Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win95–18 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Aleksandr GostiyevTF 12–2April 7, 2018 2018 World Cup

Flag of the United States.svg Iowa City, Iowa

Win94–18 Flag of Georgia.svg David KhutsishviliTF 11–1
Win93–18 Flag of Japan.svg Masao MatsusakaTF 12–2
Win92–18 Flag of India.svg Pawan Kumar TF 10–0
2018 Ivan Yarygin Gran Prix Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win91–18 Flag of Turkey.svg Fatih Erdin FallJanuary 28, 2018 Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin 2018

Flag of Russia.svg Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Win90–18 Flag of Russia.svg Artur Naifonov Fall
Win89–18 Flag of Turkey.svg Koloi Kartoev 4–1
Win88–18 Flag of Cuba.svg Yurieski Torreblanca 4–4
2017 World Clubs Cup Silver medal icon.svg for TMWC at 86 kg
Win87–18 Flag of Iran.svg Alireza Karimi 3–1December 7–8, 20172017 World Clubs Cup

Flag of Iran.svg Tehran, Iran

Win86–18 Flag of Monaco.svg Gankhuyag GanbaatarFall
Win85–18 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Petar Savakov4–0
Win84–18 Flag of India.svg Pawan Kumar TF 10–0
Win83–18 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alexander MooreTF 14–4
2017 US World Team Trials Silver medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Loss82–18 Flag of the United States.svg J'den Cox 3–5June 9–10, 20172017 US World Team Trials

Flag of the United States.svg Lincoln, Nebraska

Loss82–17 Flag of the United States.svg J'den Cox 3–4
Win82–16 Flag of the United States.svg J'den Cox 9–3
Win81–16 Flag of the United States.svg Nick Heflin13–92017 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament
Win80–16 Flag of the United States.svg Pat Downey TF 10–0
Win79–16 Flag of the United States.svg Joe Rau TF 13–0
Win78–16 Flag of Japan.svg Takahiro MurayamaFallMay 17, 20172017 Beat The Streets: Times Square

Flag of the United States.svg New York City, New York

2017 US Open Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win77–16 Flag of the United States.svg Richard PerryTF 10–0April 26–29, 20172017 US Open National Championships

Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas, Nevada

Win76–16 Flag of the United States.svg Nick HeflinTF 15–4
Win75–16 Flag of the United States.svg Pat Downey TF 10–0
Win74–16 Flag of the United States.svg Chance McClureTF 10–0
Win73–16 Flag of the United States.svg Anthony Cress5–0
2017 World Cup Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win72–16 Flag of Iran.svg Hassan Yazdani FallFebruary 16–17, 2017 2017 World Cup

Flag of Iran.svg Kermanshah, Iran

Win71–16 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Sharif Sharifov TF 12–2
Win70–16 Flag of Russia.svg Vladislav Valiev TF 14–4
Win69–16 Flag of Georgia.svg Dato Marsagishvili 8–3
2017 Paris Grand Prix Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win68–16 Flag of the United States.svg Richard Perry8–5January 28–29, 20172017 International Paris Grand Prix

Flag of France.svg Paris, France

Win67–16 Flag of France.svg Akhmed AibuevTF 12–2
Win66–16 Flag of Hungary.svg István Veréb TF 10–0
Win65–16 Flag of Hungary.svg Mihaly NagyTF 10–0
2016 World Clubs Cup Gold medal icon.svg for TMWC at 86 kg
Win64–16 Flag of Iran.svg Alireza Karimi 12–6November 30 – December 1, 2016 2016 World Clubs Cup

Flag of Ukraine.svg Kharkiv, Ukraine

Win63–16 Flag of Ukraine.svg Bohdan HrytsayTF 19–6
Loss62–16 Flag of Ukraine.svg Dmytro Rochniak2–6
Win62–15 Flag of Georgia.svg Nika Kentchadze Fall
2016 Spain Grand Prix Gold medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win61–15 Flag of Hungary.svg István Veréb 8–6July 9–10, 20162016 Grand Prix of Spain

Flag of Spain.svg Madrid, Spain

Win60–15 Flag of Mongolia.svg Orgodolyn Üitümen 14–7
Win59–15 Flag of the United States.svg Anthony Valencia10–3
Win58–15 Flag of Iran.svg Vahid Shahmohammadiizad6–2
2016 US Olympic Team Trials Bronze medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Win57–15 Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Howe5–2April 8–10, 2016 2016 US Olympic Team Trials

Flag of the United States.svg Iowa City, Iowa

Loss56–15 Flag of the United States.svg Kyle Dake 4–11
Win56–14 Flag of the United States.svg Austin Trotman5–2
2015 US Nationals Silver medal icon.svg at 86 kg
Loss55–14 Flag of the United States.svg Kyle Dake 4–11December 18–19, 20152015 US Nationals – US Olympic Trials Qualifier

Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas, Nevada

Win55–13 Flag of the United States.svg Richard PerryTF 11–0
Win54–13 Flag of the United States.svg Ed Ruth TF 13–0
2015 Golden Grand Prix 5th at 86 kg
Loss53–13 Flag of Iran.svg Ehsan Lashgari TF 0–10November 27–29, 20152015 Golden Grand Prix

Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Baku, Azerbaijan

Loss53–12 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Gardiiyev Nurmagomed0–6
Win53–11 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Umidjon Ismanov8–4
2015 Stepan Sargsyan Cup Gold medal icon.svg at 74 kg
Win52–11 Flag of Russia.svg Kakhaber KhubezhtyTF 12–2July 18–19, 20152015 Stepan Sargsyan Tournament

Flag of Armenia.svg Yerevan, Armenia

Win51–11 Flag of Ukraine.svg Giya ChikhladzeFall
Win50–11 Flag of Russia.svg Ruslan RubaevFall
2015 Spain Grand Prix Gold medal icon.svg at 74 kg
Win49–11 Flag of Italy.svg Carmelo Lumia12–6July 11, 20152015 Grand Prix of Spain

Flag of Spain.svg Madrid, Spain

Win48–11 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Zhang Chongyao 9–1
Win47–11 Flag of South Korea.svg Gong Byung Min10–1
Win46–11 Flag of Spain.svg Rafael MotaTF 13–0
2015 US World Team Trials Bronze medal icon.svg at 74 kg
Win45–11 Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Howe6–0June 12–14, 20152015 US World Team Trials Challenge

Flag of the United States.svg Madison, Wisconsin

Loss44–11 Flag of the United States.svg Kyle Dake 2–8
Win44–10 Flag of the United States.svg Tyler Caldwell5–2
Win43–10 Flag of Cuba.svg Liván López TF 18–7May 12, 20152015 Beat The Streets: Salsa in the Square

Flag of the United States.svg New York City, New York

2015 US Open Gold medal icon.svg at 74 kg
Win42–10 Flag of the United States.svg Andre Howe2–0May 5–9, 20152015 US Open National Championships

Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas, Nevada

Win41–10 Flag of the United States.svg Tyler CaldwellTF 12–2
Win40–10 Flag of Colombia.svg Nestor TafurTF 10–0
Win39–10 Flag of the United States.svg Jacob ButenhoffFall
2015 Grand Prix Yaşar Doğu 5th at 74 kg
Loss38–10 Flag of Russia.svg Khetag Tsabolov 3–9March 28–29, 2015 2015 Grand Prix Yaşar Doğu

Flag of Turkey.svg Istanbul, Turkey

Loss38–9 Flag of Russia.svg Denis Tsargush 3–6
Win38–8 Flag of Iran.svg Bahman TeymouriFall
Win37–8 Flag of Turkey.svg Abdullah Arslan12–4
Win36–8 Flag of Georgia.svg Marad Zoidze6–5
2014 US World Team Trials Silver medal icon.svg at 74 kg
Loss35–8 Flag of the United States.svg Jordan Burroughs 5–6May 30–31, 20142014 US World Team Trials

Flag of the United States.svg Madison, Wisconsin

Loss35–7 Flag of the United States.svg Jordan Burroughs 2–6
Win35–6 Flag of the United States.svg Andre Howe3–12014 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament
Win34–6 Flag of the United States.svg Quinton GodleyTF 10–0
Win33–6 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Jabrayil Hasanov 6–0May 7, 20142014 Beat The Streets: USA vs. The World

Flag of the United States.svg New York City, New York

2014 US Open Silver medal icon.svg at 74 kg
Loss32–6 Flag of the United States.svg Jordan Burroughs 6–7April 16–19, 20142014 US Open National Championships

Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas, Nevada

Win32–5 Flag of the United States.svg Tyler Caldwell6–0
Win31–5 Flag of the United States.svg Paul RademacherFall
Win30–5 Flag of the United States.svg Marcus BausamanTF 13–0
2013 Universidae Games Bronze medal icon.svg at 74 kg
Win29–5 Flag of Mongolia.svg Gombodorj Dorjvaanchig10–3July 11–16, 2013 2013 Summer Universiade

Flag of Russia.svg Kazan, Russia

Win28–5 Flag of Iran.svg Reza Afzali Paemami7–5
Loss27–5 Flag of Russia.svg Denis Tsargush 4–7
Win27–4 Flag of Greece.svg Apostolos Taskoudis Fall
Win26–4 Flag of Georgia.svg Zurab Erbotsonashvili8–4
2013 US World Team Trials Bronze medal icon.svg at 74 kg
Win25–4 Flag of the United States.svg Andrew HoweTF 9-–June 20–22, 20132013 US World Team Trials Challenge

Flag of the United States.svg Stillwater, Oklahoma

Win24–4 Flag of the United States.svg Trent Paulson4–0
Win23–4 Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Morningstar4–2
Loss22–4 Flag of the United States.svg Kyle Dake 4–7
Win22–3 Flag of the United States.svg Moza FayTF 9–1
2013 US University Nationals Gold medal icon.svg at 74 kg
Win21–3 Flag of the United States.svg Quinton GodleyFallMay 24–26, 20132013 US University National Championships

Flag of the United States.svg Akron, Ohio

Win20–3 Flag of the United States.svg Quinton Godley3–0
Win19–3 Flag of the United States.svg Ian MillerTF 14–4
Win18–3 Flag of the United States.svg Logan MolinaFall
Win17–3 Flag of the United States.svg Geno MorelliTF 13–3
Win16–3 Flag of the United States.svg Jesse StaffordFall
Win15–3 Flag of the United States.svg Robert SchlittTF 10–0
Win14–3 Flag of the United States.svg Santonio CatheryTF 11–0
Win13–3 Flag of Russia.svg Magomed Kurbanaliev FallMay 15, 20132013 Beat The Streets: Rumble on the Rails

Flag of the United States.svg New York City, New York

2013 US Open Silver medal icon.svg at 74 kg
Loss12–3 Flag of the United States.svg Jordan Burroughs 1–3, 0–1April 17–20, 20132013 US Open National Championships

Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas, Nevada

Win12–2 Flag of the United States.svg Nick Marable 2–0, 4–0
Win11–2 Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Morningstar1–0, 1–0
Win10–2 Flag of the United States.svg Holden PackardTF 9–0, 7–0
2012 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 74 kg
Loss9–2 Flag of the United States.svg Kyle Dake FallApril 21, 20122012 US Olympic Team Trials

Flag of the United States.svg Iowa City, Iowa

Win9–1 Flag of the United States.svg Colt Sponseller2–0, 1–1, 4–2
Win8–1 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Poeta4–3, 3–1
Loss7–1 Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Howe0–1, 0–5
Win7–0 Flag of the United States.svg Moza Fay0–4, 5–3, 3–1
2010 US University Nationals Gold medal icon.svg at 70 kg
Win6–0 Flag of the United States.svg Matt Lester3–0, 5–1April 8–11, 20102010 US University National Championships

Flag of the United States.svg Akron, Ohio

Win5–0 Flag of the United States.svg Dean PavlouTF 7–0, 6–0
Win4–0 Flag of the United States.svg Seth Vernon1–0, 4–3
Win3–0 Flag of the United States.svg Matt Ballweg2–1, 1–1, 3–1
Win2–0 Flag of the United States.svg Timmy Boone2–2, 3–0, 8–2
Win1–0 Flag of the United States.svg Nathan MillmanTF 7–0, 6–0

NCAA record

NCAA Championships Matches
Res.RecordOpponentScoreDateEvent
2014 NCAA Championships Gold medal icon.svg at 165 lbs
Win18-2Tyler Caldwell6-0March 20–22, 20142014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win17-2Steve MonkMD 13-5
Win16-2Michael MorenoFall
Win15-2Jim WilsonFall
Win14-2Joe BrewsterFall
2013 NCAA Championships Silver medal icon.svg at 165 lbs
Loss13-2 Kyle Dake 4-5March 21–23, 20132013 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win13-1Peter YatesFall
Win12-1Conrad PolzFall
Win11-1Zachary StricklandFall
Win10-1John StaudenmayerFall
2012 NCAA Championships Gold medal icon.svg at 165 lbs
Win9-1Brandon HatchettTF 22-7March 15–17, 20122012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win8-1 Bekzod Abdurakhmonov Fall
Win7-1Robert KokeshFall
Win6-1Brandon WrightFall
Win5-1Corey LearFall
2011 NCAA Championships Silver medal icon.svg at 157 lbs
Loss4-1 Bubba Jenkins FallMarch 17–20, 20112011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win4-0Steven Fittery7-1
Win3-0Derek St. John6-3
Win2-0David BoninTF 20-5
Win1-0Neil ErismanMD 13-2

Head coaching record

Year by year
YearTeamRecordConferenceNational
2025 Oklahoma State
Overall record
Dual RecordConference ChampionsAll-AmericansNational Champions
6-0000
Record against rivals
RivalRecord
Oklahoma 1-0
Iowa 0-0

Awards and honors

2021
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011

Endorsements

In 2015, Taylor and Adidas released a line of wrestling apparel labeled "M2" after Taylor's college nickname "Magic Man". [102] Taylor received the nickname after a collegiate match in which he turned an unfavorable situation for himself into an advantage. [103] The apparel line began with wrestling shoes and has since expanded to clothing, posters and Adidas sponsored events.

See also

List of Pennsylvania State University Olympians

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