Maryville University Athletics

2018-19: During his Redshirt Sophomore season, Gavin went 10-6, picking up three tournament place finishes. At the Lindenwood Open he placed 6th. He placed 2nd at the Pat “Flash” Flanagan Open and was forced to default in the finals due to injury. While competing in the NCAA Division II Super Region IV tournament, Gavin went 2-2 and placed 6th. Gavin can be a force in DII Wrestling and be one of the top 149 lbers in the nation when healthy. Gavin won the Saints’ Wrestler of the Week and OOOSSS Award three times during the season. He is a NWCA Scholar All-American for the first time. He wins his first Varsity Letter Award and the Dr. Lombardi Saint Award while picking up the Rebounding Power Award and the Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Warrior Award. Gavin competed at the NCAA Super Region IV tournament and played a significant roll in the Saints winning the NWCA DII All-Academic National Team Championship. He is a big part of keeping our team power strong. He brings his best to the Dojo every day and makes the Dojo a “Better Place.”

2017-18: Gavin joined our Maryville Wrestling Family at semester after competing for the Iowa State Cyclones for his first three semesters. He had a impact immediately. His Work Power, Commitment and Dedication to improve and contribute and be Positive fit into our Wrestling Program earned the respect of his teammates. It also earned him the Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Award. As a Redshirt at Iowa State Gavin had a 6-3 record with four falls. He placed fourth at the Loras College Duhawk Open. Gavin’s Redshirt Freshman year, he had a record of 8-4 with 3 Tech Falls. He was the Cyclone Open Champion and captured a 6th place finish at the UNI Open.

HONORS & AWARDS
Career Record: 18-11
2019 WOW & OOOSSS Award (3)
2019 NWCA Scholar All-American
2019 Varsity Letter Award
2019 Rebounding Power Award
2019 Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Warrior Award
2019 NWCA DII All-Academic National Team Champion
2018 Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Award

Before Maryville: Gavin joined the Saints after competing for the Iowa State Cyclones for his first three semesters. As a Redshirt, Gavin had a 6-3 record with four falls. He placed fourth at the Loras College Duhawk Open. Gavin’s Redshirt Freshman year, he had a record of 8-4 with 3 Tech Falls. He was the Cyclone Open Champion and captured a 6th place finish at the UNI Open.
 
High School: Gavin is a Missouri product out of Jefferson City High School. Gavin captured 3 Missouri State medals (3rd – 2014, 3rd – 2015, 2nd –2016), 3 Conference Championships, and was 3x Academic All State. Gavin also became a Pre-Season High School All American with a 7th Place finish and a Disney Duel All American. He is tied for secnd for All-Time Missouri State record for 3-point Near-falls in single season (57).
 
High School Career: Career Record: 150-26, Freshman 34-12, Sophomore 48-5, Junior 25-1, Senior 43-7.
 
ABOUT GAVIN
Parents: Michelle and Curtis DeWitt
Siblings: Austin DeWitt, 23
HS coach’s name(s): Jesse Zeugin (Ozark), and Phil Cagle (Jefferson City)
Greatest moment in wrestling: Starting for Iowa State vs. Drexel dual in Hilton Coliseum.
People who have had the greatest influence in your life: Jesus Christ, My Parents, Ian Parker, Trey Achterhoff and Derek Jones.
Favorite athlete: Drew Brees
Favorite entertainer: Tom Hanks
Favorite food: Pesto Cavatappi
Favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird
Favorite wrestling move: Hi-Crotch
Favorite quote: “Do what you do so well that when people see you do what you do, they tell others that they have to see you do what you do.”
Craziest ambition: Inspire the youth population towards the direction of ending bullying.
If I could meet one person: Jesus Christ
I came to Maryville because: Everything just felt right. I felt as if I was truly admired as a person, instead of as a wrestler. Coach Hagerty and I clicked really well from the get-go. Finally, have you met Coach Denney? Why would you NOT want to wrestle and win a national title for him?
Best sports advice ever received: “In the end, you could have all the trophies and medals you could want. But what’s going to matter the most is who you are as a human being.”
Treasured possessions: My relationships with friends and family, and my dog, Doug.
Something people don’t know about me: I was an absolute train wreck of a wrestler when I was younger. I only medaled at USA State once when I was in little league and I took sixth of 18 kids.
10 years from now: I hope to be married to the woman of my dreams and to maybe start thinking about having a family. I want to affect the youth of a large city, and start my journey towards ending bullying.