Iowa State Cyclones ready to make big postseason impact
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by Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
Cyclone senior Kyven Gadson, a two-time All-American, is ranked No. 2 in the nation at 197 pounds. Iowa State University photo.
Kevin Jackson’s team is peaking at the right time.
Jackson’s Iowa State Cyclones are building momentum heading into the postseason.
Eighth-ranked Iowa State capped an 11-2 regular season with a 30-16 home win over No. 14 Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones collected a season-high four pins in the victory.
ISU will host the Big 12 Championships next weekend in Ames before heading to the NCAA Championships in St. Louis.
“Our program has taken some positive steps,” Jackson said. “We’re never satisfied, but it’s undeniable we’re taking some positive steps. A good Big 12 tournament can propel us to a good national tournament.”
The Cyclones have three legitimate NCAA finals contenders in seniors Kyven Gadson (197 pounds) and Mike Moreno (165) along with junior Earl Hall (133).
Gadson, a two-time All-American, is ranked No. 2 nationally. He placed sixth at the 2013 NCAA tournament and fourth in 2014. He’s recorded 10 falls this season.
“Kyven’s wrestling at a very high level,” Jackson said. “He’s been very, very dominant. If not for the one loss, he would be in consideration for the Hodge Trophy. He is really putting the effort and energy out there in his matches. If he competes to his full potential, he’s got a chance to dominate each and every match. And I feel like he can still get to another level.”
Moreno is also a two-time All-American. He has finished sixth and fifth at NCAAs. He is ranked third nationally. Moreno is coming off a pin over then-No. 2 Isaac Jordan of Wisconsin.
“Mike’s a veteran and he’s a real strong wrestler,” Jackson said. “He has to wrestle tough in every position and every situation. He did a great job of that against Jordan. He has a chance to make a big impact at the national tournament.”
Hall, a past U.S. Junior World Team member, placed eighth at the 2014 NCAAs at 125. He is ranked No. 4 nationally after bumping up to 133 this season.
“Earl’s been able to focus more on wrestling now that he doesn’t have to cut the weight to get down to 125 anymore,” Jackson said. “He’s adapted well to the collegiate style of wrestling. He’s become more offensive and he’s capable of beating anybody. He’s extremely talented and gifted.”
The Cyclones also have a proven performer in junior Tanner Weatherman at 174. He has reached the round of 12 at the NCAAs. He is ranked 14th.
ISU’s Gabe Moreno is ranked eighth at 149 and Lelund Weatherspoon is No. 16 at 184.
Jackson said freshman Dante Rodriguez, a three-time Nebraska state champion, has wrestled well at 141. Rodriguez is coming off a pin over Wisconsin’s Jesse Thielke, a 2013 U.S. World Team member in Greco-Roman wrestling.
“Rodriguez is really wrestling well and performing well for us,” Jackson said. “Four of his five losses are to guys ranked in the top seven. When he steps out there, he really competes hard for us.”
The team race at the NCAA tournament could be wide open with a number of teams expected to contend. Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri have each been ranked No. 1 this season.
“We were just outside the top 10 the last couple of years,” said Jackson, whose first ISU team finished third at the 2010 NCAA tournament. “It comes down to wrestling to your seeds and exceeding your seeds. If our guys wrestle to our rankings, we will be in pretty good shape. But none of them are ranked No. 1 and that’s what we’re shooting for.”
Jackson was one of the greatest wrestlers in U.S. history. He won an Olympic gold medal in 1992, and captured World titles in 1991 and 1995. His achievements on the mat are being celebrated this month during Black History Month. He is one of three African Americans to claim three gold medals for the United States, along with Lee Kemp and Jordan Burroughs.
Jackson also served two Olympic cycles as USA Wrestling's National Freestyle Coach before returning to the college ranks to lead the Cyclone program. He coached Olympic gold medalists Brandon Slay, Cael Sanderson and Henry Cejudo for the U.S. He also coached Bill Zadick to a World title.
Jackson said he has a strong coaching staff in place now with twins and past ISU All-Americans Trent and Travis Paulson serving as assistant coaches along with Angel Escobedo. All three have made U.S. World Teams with Trent Paulson and Escobedo winning NCAA titles.
“Without a doubt, with the coaching staff we have now we feel we have the pieces in place for our program to continue to progress,” Jackson said. “We’ve added some depth and we’re building that here. We’re real excited about the direction our program is heading.”
Kevin Jackson’s team is peaking at the right time.
Jackson’s Iowa State Cyclones are building momentum heading into the postseason.
Eighth-ranked Iowa State capped an 11-2 regular season with a 30-16 home win over No. 14 Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones collected a season-high four pins in the victory.
ISU will host the Big 12 Championships next weekend in Ames before heading to the NCAA Championships in St. Louis.
“Our program has taken some positive steps,” Jackson said. “We’re never satisfied, but it’s undeniable we’re taking some positive steps. A good Big 12 tournament can propel us to a good national tournament.”
The Cyclones have three legitimate NCAA finals contenders in seniors Kyven Gadson (197 pounds) and Mike Moreno (165) along with junior Earl Hall (133).
Gadson, a two-time All-American, is ranked No. 2 nationally. He placed sixth at the 2013 NCAA tournament and fourth in 2014. He’s recorded 10 falls this season.
“Kyven’s wrestling at a very high level,” Jackson said. “He’s been very, very dominant. If not for the one loss, he would be in consideration for the Hodge Trophy. He is really putting the effort and energy out there in his matches. If he competes to his full potential, he’s got a chance to dominate each and every match. And I feel like he can still get to another level.”
Moreno is also a two-time All-American. He has finished sixth and fifth at NCAAs. He is ranked third nationally. Moreno is coming off a pin over then-No. 2 Isaac Jordan of Wisconsin.
“Mike’s a veteran and he’s a real strong wrestler,” Jackson said. “He has to wrestle tough in every position and every situation. He did a great job of that against Jordan. He has a chance to make a big impact at the national tournament.”
Hall, a past U.S. Junior World Team member, placed eighth at the 2014 NCAAs at 125. He is ranked No. 4 nationally after bumping up to 133 this season.
“Earl’s been able to focus more on wrestling now that he doesn’t have to cut the weight to get down to 125 anymore,” Jackson said. “He’s adapted well to the collegiate style of wrestling. He’s become more offensive and he’s capable of beating anybody. He’s extremely talented and gifted.”
The Cyclones also have a proven performer in junior Tanner Weatherman at 174. He has reached the round of 12 at the NCAAs. He is ranked 14th.
ISU’s Gabe Moreno is ranked eighth at 149 and Lelund Weatherspoon is No. 16 at 184.
Jackson said freshman Dante Rodriguez, a three-time Nebraska state champion, has wrestled well at 141. Rodriguez is coming off a pin over Wisconsin’s Jesse Thielke, a 2013 U.S. World Team member in Greco-Roman wrestling.
“Rodriguez is really wrestling well and performing well for us,” Jackson said. “Four of his five losses are to guys ranked in the top seven. When he steps out there, he really competes hard for us.”
The team race at the NCAA tournament could be wide open with a number of teams expected to contend. Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri have each been ranked No. 1 this season.
“We were just outside the top 10 the last couple of years,” said Jackson, whose first ISU team finished third at the 2010 NCAA tournament. “It comes down to wrestling to your seeds and exceeding your seeds. If our guys wrestle to our rankings, we will be in pretty good shape. But none of them are ranked No. 1 and that’s what we’re shooting for.”
Jackson was one of the greatest wrestlers in U.S. history. He won an Olympic gold medal in 1992, and captured World titles in 1991 and 1995. His achievements on the mat are being celebrated this month during Black History Month. He is one of three African Americans to claim three gold medals for the United States, along with Lee Kemp and Jordan Burroughs.
Jackson also served two Olympic cycles as USA Wrestling's National Freestyle Coach before returning to the college ranks to lead the Cyclone program. He coached Olympic gold medalists Brandon Slay, Cael Sanderson and Henry Cejudo for the U.S. He also coached Bill Zadick to a World title.
Jackson said he has a strong coaching staff in place now with twins and past ISU All-Americans Trent and Travis Paulson serving as assistant coaches along with Angel Escobedo. All three have made U.S. World Teams with Trent Paulson and Escobedo winning NCAA titles.
“Without a doubt, with the coaching staff we have now we feel we have the pieces in place for our program to continue to progress,” Jackson said. “We’ve added some depth and we’re building that here. We’re real excited about the direction our program is heading.”
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