Dean was born in Lowell, Michigan, where he went on to attend Lowell High School. His father David was an NCAA Division I National runner-up out of the University of Minnesota, which led to Gabriel's early start in the sport of wrestling. During his high school years, Dean was a standout wrestler and football player, and as a quarterback, he led his team to a state title and runner–up finishes and was a two–time All-State player.[7] In wrestling, he went on to make the finals of the MHSAA state tournament, winning the title in an undefeated run as a junior and ending his senior year as the runner–up.[8]
College
Dean chose to attend the Cornell University and wrestle there.[9] During his four years of collegiate wrestling, Dean went on to become one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the team, claiming two NCAA titles and four EIWA conference titles, as well as racking up four All-American honors and a runner–up finish as a senior, where he lost to eventual three–timer Bo Nickal from Penn State in a legendarily close match. In regards to honors, Dean was a two–time EIWA and Ivy League Wrestler of the Year, as well as the Rookie of the Year as a freshman.[10]
International career
2013–2017
Dean, who was graduating high school, made his senior freestyle debut in May 2013, when he went on to place third at the Northeastern Regionals and sixth at the US University Nationals. At the 2015 Pan American Championships, Dean made his Greco-Roman debut with no previous training in the discipline, and went on to place second. In April 2017, Dean decided to wrestle at the US Open in freestyle, and went on to place sixth. Afterwards, he placed third at the Pan American Championships, with technical falls over former Olympian from Colombia Carlos Izquierdo and South American Games runner–up from Peru Pool Ambrocio. Dean then announced he would try his hand as a Greco–Roman wrestler, but after competing and losing in his first match at the 2017 US U23 World Team Trials, he decided to retire.
2020–2021
In October 2020, Dean opted to come out of retirement to compete at the US Nationals, where he claimed the title after defeating former All-American Nate Jackson in the finals.[11] Next, he competed at the Flo 8-Man Challenge: 195 lbs, where he lost in the first match to Taylor Lujan (whom he had tech'd weeks earlier) after dominating prior to a pin.[12][13] Dean then confirmed he would take a run for the US Olympic Team Trials.[14] In November, Dean wrestled World ChampionDavid Taylor at the NLWC III and went to a fairly close decision loss.[15]
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