Seth Gross may not have made the 2025 World Team, but he did something arguably more important—he challenged a deeply embedded cultural norm
His willingness to speak up inspired others to rethink what it means to succeed in wrestling.
Gross’s legacy will not be measured solely in medals, but in the courage he gave others to keep going. He redefined what wrestling can be: not a fast track to fame, but a lifelong passion worthy of pursuit.
Whether or not he ever becomes a World Champion, Seth Gross has already proven he’s a champion of the sport’s future.
And in doing so, he’s created space for the next generation of wrestlers to write their own stories—on their own terms.
In a sport as complex and physical as wrestling, it’s easy to chase complexity. But Gross’s wisdom reminds us that simplicity mastered beats complexity memorized.
The fundamentals—positioning, angles, movement, pressure—are timeless principles that turn average wrestlers into champions.
Whether you’re a high school hopeful or a college contender, take Gross’s advice to heart: Work on your positioning. Learn how to control the match. The rest will follow.
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Table of Contents
Seth Gross: Beyond the Moves
The Truth About Positioning in Wrestling
In the world of collegiate wrestling, few names command as much respect as Seth Gross.1
An NCAA champion and South Dakota State University alumnus, Gross has evolved from elite athlete to insightful coach, currently guiding the next generation of grapplers as the assistant coach for the Wisconsin Badgers wrestling team.
While his accolades are plentiful, Gross’s recent reflections on the fundamentals of wrestling—especially positioning—have stirred meaningful conversations among wrestlers, coaches, and fans alike.
A Champion’s Journey: From High School to NCAA Glory
Gross’s journey began in Minnesota, where he became a standout athlete in high school.
Notably, he won state championships in three different weight classes, showcasing not only his adaptability but also his technical mastery of the sport. This early success set the foundation for a stellar collegiate career.
After transferring to South Dakota State University, Gross cemented his name in NCAA history.
During the 2017-2018 season, he went on a dominant run, ultimately claiming the national title by defeating Michigan’s Steven Micic with a 13-8 decision in the NCAA finals. That victory was a testament to his relentless preparation, mat awareness, and unmatched focus.
However, wrestling, like life, is rarely linear. Gross sat out the 2018-2019 season, raising questions about his return.
But he silenced all doubts during the 2019-2020 season, delivering a triumphant comeback performance by defeating three former NCAA champions in the 57 kg division at the Bill Farrell Memorial Open.
Seth Gross:’s Coaching Philosophy
Now a key figure in the Wisconsin Badgers’ wrestling coaching staff, Gross is using his experience to help young wrestlers find their edge.2
But while many coaches may focus on drilling techniques and adding moves to a wrestler’s arsenal, Gross has taken a fundamentally different approach—one rooted in the often-overlooked art of positioning and angles.
His recent social media post on X (formerly Twitter) addresses a critical flaw in how many wrestlers approach training:
“Wrestlers obsess over learning more moves, drilling new finishes, flashy stuff, scrambling tricks. But here’s the truth. Most of your moves don’t work because your positioning sucks…”
The Illusion of More: Why Moves Aren’t Enough
In today’s wrestling culture, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing flashiness.
Highlight reels, viral videos, and instructional content can lead athletes to believe that success lies in mastering the latest finish or trying out advanced scramble positions. Gross challenges this notion head-on.
According to him, the core reason why many moves fail isn’t technical inefficiency—it’s poor setup.
A perfect single-leg takedown can’t work if it’s attempted from a bad tie-up, with the feet square and the head down. Gross emphasizes that moves are the final piece, not the starting point.
Dictating the Tie: Where Matches Are Won
In wrestling, the tie-up position is often the first true battle. Gross believes that control begins here, and without a strong, strategic grip, a wrestler is already playing defense.
“You want to score more? Don’t learn five new shots. Learn how to dictate the tie ups and use your hands with a purpose…”
By gaining control in the tie-up, a wrestler controls tempo, movement, and momentum. Gross teaches his athletes to be proactive—using precise hand fighting and intentional pressure to destabilize their opponent before the shot even begins.
Vertical and Lateral Motion: Creating the Right Angles
Gross also stresses the importance of movement to create angles. Wrestling isn’t just a linear sport. The best wrestlers utilize vertical and lateral motion to generate space, close distance, and find high-percentage scoring opportunities.
This dynamic movement allows wrestlers to:
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Create unpredictable angles of attack.
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Force opponents into reactive positions.
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Open up clean shot entries with minimal resistance.
Gross explains that once wrestlers learn to move with purpose, scoring becomes a natural consequence of effective movement—not a forced, risky action.
Seth Gross: Threat Management
Keeping the Opponent Guessing
One of the more nuanced points Gross makes is about continuously threatening the opponent. Wrestling is as much about mental pressure as it is physical dominance.3
By constantly presenting threats—whether with level changes, feints, or movement—a wrestler keeps their opponent on edge, draining their energy and focus.
When this approach is combined with solid positioning and intelligent hand fighting, a wrestler controls the rhythm of the match. As Gross puts it:
“…the shots become easy. The finish becomes automatic. The match slows down. You’re in control every second.”
Gross’s Principles in Practice: The Results Speak
Gross isn’t speaking in theory—these principles are the foundation of his own success. His NCAA title run and international performances were built not on an ever-growing list of fancy moves, but on relentless discipline in position, movement, and control.
When he returned at the Bill Farrell Memorial Open, he wasn’t just facing competition—he was battling three former NCAA champions. Yet he emerged victorious, underscoring that fundamentals trump flash when it matters most.
Teaching the Next Generation: A Coach With Purpose
As a coach, Gross isn’t just showing technique—he’s instilling a mindset. In an era where information is abundant but attention is scarce, he teaches his athletes to filter out the noise and focus on the essentials.
His approach is methodical:
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Establish control in every position.
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Use movement as a weapon.
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Prioritize setups over shots.
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Never sacrifice position for flash.
This blueprint may not generate flashy highlight reels, but it wins matches—and championships.
A Call to Wrestlers: Master the Basics First
Gross’s message should resonate deeply with all levels of wrestlers—from youth programs to seasoned collegiate athletes. In essence, he’s saying: stop looking for shortcuts. Wrestling is won in the details—the tie-up, the stance, the angle of attack, and the mental chess match.
Before adding five new takedowns to your training, ask yourself:
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Can I consistently win hand-fighting battles?
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Am I creating the right angles before shooting?
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Is my footwork positioning me to score or to sprawl?
If the answer is no, then the problem isn’t your moves—it’s your foundation.
Seth Gross Speaks Out on Wrestling’s Culture of Early Retirement
Seth Gross, a name well-known in the wrestling world, has long been more than just an elite athlete. He’s a thought leader, an advocate, and someone unafraid to challenge norms.
In April 2025, Gross took to social media to express his frustration with a prevailing culture in wrestling—one that pressures athletes to retire shortly after college if they don’t immediately make World Teams.
This article explores the insights Gross shared, his wrestling career, the athletes he praised, and the broader message that challenges the timeline society places on wrestling success.
A Stellar Career That Commands Respect
Gross’s career has been defined by perseverance, skill, and dedication. A three-time All-American, Gross finished third at the 2020 Big Ten Championships at 133 pounds and later competed at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials and World Team Trials.
His determination to transition from collegiate to freestyle wrestling highlighted his unyielding love for the sport and his refusal to conform to arbitrary expectations.
In 2025, he further solidified his place in the sport by reaching the finals of the U.S. Open Championships.
Though he fell to Jax Forrest and missed out on a World Team spot, Gross proved his competitive drive remained intact. He didn’t view this as a signal to retire. Instead, he used the moment to inspire others.
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A Candid Message on Social Media
Gross has never shied away from expressing his thoughts online, and in April 2025, he made a powerful post on X (formerly Twitter) that resonated throughout the wrestling community.
“We’ve built this weird culture where if you’re not making world teams every year, it’s time to ‘move on.’ Only ONE guy gets the spot. So every other elite wrestler should just quit? That’s wild. Still healthy? Still hungry? Keep going. Wrestling isn’t just for champs. It’s for lifers.”
These words struck a chord because they came from experience. Gross acknowledged the difficulty of breaking into the upper echelon of international wrestling, where only one representative per weight class can compete at the World Championships or Olympics.
His message was clear: the absence of a gold medal shouldn’t mean the end of the journey.
Seth Gross: Challenging the “World Team or Bust” Mentality
One of the biggest takeaways from Gross’s post was his critique of the “World Team or bust” mentality.
In wrestling, athletes are often conditioned to believe that if they don’t reach the top quickly, they should abandon their dreams.
But as Gross emphasized, greatness in wrestling—and in life—rarely follows a linear path.
He argued that limiting the idea of success to only making World Teams disregards the dedication, skill, and progress of countless elite wrestlers.
In essence, the system creates an unhealthy dynamic where anything short of being the very best feels like failure.
The Longevity of Wrestling Greats
To underscore his point, Gross pointed to several high-profile examples of athletes who achieved success later in their careers.
“Let’s be real: The average UFC champion is 33 years old. Burroughs won a World title at 33. David Taylor won his first World/Olympic medal at 30. Dake didn’t make his first team until he was 27.”
This comparison with MMA and wrestling legends shows that physical prime doesn’t necessarily coincide with college graduation.
Wrestlers like Jordan Burroughs, David Taylor, and Kyle Dake are proof that persistence pays off. They didn’t peak immediately, and yet they achieved greatness beyond what most imagined possible.
Gross’s message was that there is no expiration date on dreams. If you’re healthy, driven, and still passionate, the path forward remains open—regardless of age or accolades.
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