Morton

When Drayden Morton graduated Sibley East High School as a three-time state individual wrestling champion in 2022, he had his eyes set on more gold.

That gold was the continuation of his wrestling career with the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

But Morton’s faith and a conversation with wrestling coach Elroy Perkin took Morton on a different path to Riverside, California, to wrestle for the California Baptist Lancers.

“The assistant coach at Cal Baptist at the time, Elroy Perkin, he was an RTC [wrestling club] athlete with the Gophers and I would go up there during high school, so I got to know him a little bit,” Morton said. “And he kind of told me about CBU and that that’s the only Division I Christian school that has wrestling in the country and everything and it just kind of went from there.”

Morton also said after talking with his family and praying over his next steps after high school, he felt pulled to Cal Baptist and decided to head west.

Morton’s original plans of wrestling for Minnesota may have been a bit delayed, but they were recently put in motion as he was signed and announced as a U of M transfer on May 15. Morton, a two-year starter at Cal Baptist, will be joining the Gophers wrestling program for his fourth year of DI college wrestling.

“The program at CBU, the wrestling program got cut,” Morton said. “It got cut at the beginning of January, but they let us finish the season. … Since it was getting cut, I could still enter the [transfer] portal but still finish out the year. So I entered and then [Minnesota] was one of the first schools to reach out.”

Morton wrestled at 157 and 165 pounds during his time with the Lancers and placed seventh at the BIG 12 Championships at 157 last season.

“I liked it there,” Morton said of Cal Baptist. “I felt like it was a good experience and felt like it helped me continue to grow in my faith and I just got some good college wrestling experience. Wrestling in the BIG 12, getting to wrestle quite a few good guys during my time there. I had some good coaches there, [head coach] Derek Moore, who was really tough on top, so that really helped me a little bit with my top.”

No matter how many state titles Morton won or how impressive his record was during his high school career, 189-15, Morton knew how big the step up to DI wrestling would be. He welcomed it, however, and said he’s gotten more comfortable over the years.

“I’m happy with where I’m at, but I’m also always continuing to strive to get better,” Morton said. “I think that really the biggest part of college wrestling is the season and everything can be a grind, but we only get to do this so long. God gave me a great ability and opportunity that many people would love to have. Just focusing on trying to give each day, each practice, each competition to him and going out and going my best and letting him take care of the rest.”

Morton plans to wrestle at 165 for the Gophers next season. He said he stays very lean year round, so the cut to 157 was harder for him.

Wrestling in the Big Ten Conference will be another big challenge for Morton, but he’s looking forward to the opportunity.

“I’m just really blessed and I’m really excited,” Morton said. “My family would always come to all of this, but now they can just come watch me in Minnesota. And just being able to wrestling in that Big Ten atmosphere. I really am excited to see how I continue to develop with the [Minnesota] coaches and partners. It’s gonna be fun. Just the environment, I love big environments and pretty much every Big Ten dual with the Gophers is gonna be full.”