AMES, Iowa - Iowa State head wrestling coach Kevin Jackson has announced that former Cyclone three-time All-Americans and current freestyle wrestling standouts Travis and Trent Paulson will train this season at ISU. The twins trained at Nebraska last season. The Huskers placed fourth at the NCAA Championships behind Iowa State's third-place finish.
The Council Bluffs natives are on the U.S. Freestyle team, with Trent Paulson being a member of the World team that is heading to the World Wrestling Championships in Herning, Denmark Sept. 21-23. Current ISU three-time All-American Jake Varner is also on the U.S. World team.
Jackson is excited to have the Paulson twins training in the ISU wrestling room.
"They chose to come back to Iowa State to pursue being the best in the world," Jackson said. "That is exciting. They are the starting base for our Olympic Regional training site program at Iowa State. We are going to add to this strong base in the near future with more world-class wrestlers."
Jackson feels the Paulson brothers will have a tremendous impact on Iowa State wrestling in their supporting capacity.
"This is the steel sharpening steel mentality," Jackson said. "Our wrestlers will have the opportunity to practice at a higher level than they will see at the NCAA Championships or in any other events throughout the year. Our student-athletes will have the ability to train to be world-class athletes."
According to Jackson, the benefits of the Paulsons' return will have a trickle-down effect throughout the entire wrestling program.
"They will be helping to promote the Cyclone Wrestling Club," Jackson said. "They will be important in many of the club's fundraising activities."
Travis Paulson ended his Iowa State wrestling career with his best NCAA Championships showing. He scored a come-from-behind victory to earn fifth-place All-America honors in 2007 at 165 pounds. He tallied a four-year record of 106-32, matching wins with Bill Kelly (1984-87) and Zach Roberson (2001-04) on the ISU career victory list. His performance on the mat was replicated in the classroom, as he earned Academic All-Big 12 accolades all four years.
Travis Paulson continued his wrestling career in the freestyle arena, competing at 74 kg (163 pounds). Paulson placed second at the 2009 World Team Trials and was the champion at U.S. Senior Nationals. The former Cyclone wrestler took third at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials.
Travis Paulson is confident that training in Ames with Jackson will pay large dividends.
"I feel that Kevin Jackson has the most experience," Travis Paulson said. "He's coached many Olympic teams in recent years. I'm confident in having him lead me on my quest for world and Olympic medals."
Travis Paulson graduated from Iowa State in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in business management with a minor in entrepreneurship studies.
Trent Paulson finished his Cyclone wrestling career on top of the podium by winning the 2007 NCAA title at 157 pounds. One of 41 three-time All-Americans in Iowa State history, Trent Paulson registered a four-year mark of 115-20, tied for 18th with Dave Powell (1976-79) on ISU's career wins list.
"I had the feeling that by coming back to Ames we could be a part of something special," Trent Paulson said. "Not just for our current wrestling team's success, but for former Iowa State athletes coming back and earning world medals."
Trent Paulson has found success in freestyle wrestling, competing at 66 kg (145.5 pounds). Paulson followed a first-place finish at the 2009 U.S. Senior Nationals in Las Vegas, Nev. by winning the 2009 World Team Trials. Previously, Trent Paulson took third at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials and brought home a gold medal from the 2008 Dave Schultz Memorial International tournament.
Trent Paulson is especially excited to train under Jackson.
"He is the most qualified freestyle coach in the country," Trent Paulson said. "He's produced a lot of world-class athletes. Any time you can get with a guy like that it is the best situation."
Trent Paulson graduated in 2007 from Iowa State with a bachelor's degree in business marketing and minored in entrepreneurship studies.
The Council Bluffs natives are on the U.S. Freestyle team, with Trent Paulson being a member of the World team that is heading to the World Wrestling Championships in Herning, Denmark Sept. 21-23. Current ISU three-time All-American Jake Varner is also on the U.S. World team.
Jackson is excited to have the Paulson twins training in the ISU wrestling room.
"They chose to come back to Iowa State to pursue being the best in the world," Jackson said. "That is exciting. They are the starting base for our Olympic Regional training site program at Iowa State. We are going to add to this strong base in the near future with more world-class wrestlers."
Jackson feels the Paulson brothers will have a tremendous impact on Iowa State wrestling in their supporting capacity.
"This is the steel sharpening steel mentality," Jackson said. "Our wrestlers will have the opportunity to practice at a higher level than they will see at the NCAA Championships or in any other events throughout the year. Our student-athletes will have the ability to train to be world-class athletes."
According to Jackson, the benefits of the Paulsons' return will have a trickle-down effect throughout the entire wrestling program.
"They will be helping to promote the Cyclone Wrestling Club," Jackson said. "They will be important in many of the club's fundraising activities."
Travis Paulson ended his Iowa State wrestling career with his best NCAA Championships showing. He scored a come-from-behind victory to earn fifth-place All-America honors in 2007 at 165 pounds. He tallied a four-year record of 106-32, matching wins with Bill Kelly (1984-87) and Zach Roberson (2001-04) on the ISU career victory list. His performance on the mat was replicated in the classroom, as he earned Academic All-Big 12 accolades all four years.
Travis Paulson continued his wrestling career in the freestyle arena, competing at 74 kg (163 pounds). Paulson placed second at the 2009 World Team Trials and was the champion at U.S. Senior Nationals. The former Cyclone wrestler took third at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials.
Travis Paulson is confident that training in Ames with Jackson will pay large dividends.
"I feel that Kevin Jackson has the most experience," Travis Paulson said. "He's coached many Olympic teams in recent years. I'm confident in having him lead me on my quest for world and Olympic medals."
Travis Paulson graduated from Iowa State in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in business management with a minor in entrepreneurship studies.
Trent Paulson finished his Cyclone wrestling career on top of the podium by winning the 2007 NCAA title at 157 pounds. One of 41 three-time All-Americans in Iowa State history, Trent Paulson registered a four-year mark of 115-20, tied for 18th with Dave Powell (1976-79) on ISU's career wins list.
"I had the feeling that by coming back to Ames we could be a part of something special," Trent Paulson said. "Not just for our current wrestling team's success, but for former Iowa State athletes coming back and earning world medals."
Trent Paulson has found success in freestyle wrestling, competing at 66 kg (145.5 pounds). Paulson followed a first-place finish at the 2009 U.S. Senior Nationals in Las Vegas, Nev. by winning the 2009 World Team Trials. Previously, Trent Paulson took third at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials and brought home a gold medal from the 2008 Dave Schultz Memorial International tournament.
Trent Paulson is especially excited to train under Jackson.
"He is the most qualified freestyle coach in the country," Trent Paulson said. "He's produced a lot of world-class athletes. Any time you can get with a guy like that it is the best situation."
Trent Paulson graduated in 2007 from Iowa State with a bachelor's degree in business marketing and minored in entrepreneurship studies.
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