Just over a week after a gut-wrenching loss at the Senior World Team Trials, Bo Bassett is already back in the fight—this time, with a little Hawkeye power in his corner. The 17-year-old phenom from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, isn’t waiting until he officially joins the Iowa Wrestling room this fall. Nope, Bassett is already grinding alongside Iowa’s very own Austin DeSanto, sharpening his skills for the upcoming U20 World Team Trials at 65kg. For a kid with a perfect 110-0 high school record, a U17 World title, and a U20 bronze, this latest twist shows just how far he’s willing to go to stay at the top of his game.

And honestly, after what went down at the Senior Trials, who can blame him? Bassett took a tough semifinal loss to Brock Hardy and followed it up with another setback in the consolations, leaving the mat without the podium finish he’d been dreaming of. But while some might fold after a loss like that, Bassett’s built different. He took to Instagram with a message that hit hard: “Grateful for the opportunity and for all the battles I got to step into. I know I’m right there and I’m more motivated than ever to become the HUNTER again.” Now, with the Hawkeyes already lending a hand, he’s got a real shot at redemption when the U20 Trials kick off.

Bo Bassett’s tune-up with Austin DeSanto

It’s not every day you see a high schooler training with the college elite before even stepping on campus, but that’s exactly what’s happening here. Bassett’s sessions with Austin DeSanto—a former Hawkeye legend known for his firebrand style and never-back-down attitude—aren’t just your average tune-ups. They’re a clear sign that Bassett’s already embracing the Iowa grind before he even throws on the black and gold for real. For a kid whose future is already bright, this is like throwing gasoline on a fire.

And let’s be real—Bo Bassett’s got a lot to prove after his Senior Trials run. That bracket was stacked, and after taking out NCAA finalist Beau Bartlett in the quarters, it looked like Bassett might pull off the unthinkable. But Hardy had other plans, and the semifinal loss stung. Now, Bassett’s bouncing back the only way he knows how: by working harder, by training smarter, and by learning from guys who’ve been where he wants to go. DeSanto’s style—high-paced, relentless, in-your-face—might just be the perfect spark to unlock the next level of Bassett’s game.

Can Bo Bassett’s Hawkeye hustle turn trials into triumph?

It’s a bold move, too. The 65kg field at the U20 World Team Trials is no joke. Names like Luke Stanich, Daniel Zepeda, and Sergio Vega are all waiting to make their mark. But for Bassett, this isn’t just about the Trials. It’s about building a mindset, a skillset, and a support system that can carry him all the way to the top. And let’s not forget—Tom Brands and the entire Iowa crew are watching. They see a kid who’s hungry, a kid who’s already acting like a Hawkeye. That’s the kind of fire you can’t teach.

With the U20 World Team Trials looming on the horizon, all attention turns to Bo Bassett—and it should. It’s not just a question of him making the team, but if this next step will redefine him as an athlete. The Senior Trials were a wake-up call, yes, but they were a catalyst, too. Bassett’s work with DeSanto indicates he’s not waiting for Iowa to mold him. He’s forging himself now.

This isn’t about hype. This is about action. And for Bassett, the message couldn’t be clearer: the work never ceases. From Johnstown to Iowa City to wherever the mat leads him next, he’s focused. The U20 Trials represent his chance to demonstrate that setbacks don’t create you—comebacks do.