#TeamUSATuesday: Men’s Freestyle National Team member Kyven Gadson
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by JD Rader, USA Wrestling
Images of Kyven Gadson from 2018 Final X in Lincoln by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors
Kyven Gadson is currently the No. 2 wrestler at 97 kg/213 lbs. for Team USA’s Men’s Freestyle National Team.
The 26-year-old Waterloo, Iowa native was a three-time All-American and 2015 NCAA champion for Iowa State University.
Since finishing his college career, Gadson has decided to stay and train in Ames where he has become a University Nationals champion, 2017 U.S. Open champion, 2018 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champion and 2018 Final X runner-up.
Gadson took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions. Here are his top 15 responses…
What is your favorite movie?
Remember the Titans. It reminds me of my dad and it just has a great story of people coming together and working towards one goal and how adversity helps to create a stronger youth.
Who is your favorite athlete in another sport?
Anyone that is great in their sport and is doing something unprecedented I like to watch. So, some of my favorites are (Katie) Ledecky, (Lebron) James, (Michael) Phelps, and (Usain) Bolt.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
I did baseball, taekwondo, football, and soccer. But I stopped all of them eventually for wrestling.
Everybody knows you like ice cream, but do you have a favorite brand and/or flavor?
I’ll say no comment at this time, but I really like chocolate chip cookie dough.
Who is your favorite wrestler (past or present) to watch?
For me growing up it was Cael (Sanderson). Growing up in Iowa and being an Iowa State fan, it was very easy at that time to watch Cael and want to emulate him.
What is your favorite place you’ve travelled to?
I would say it’s Budapest for the World Championships. I felt like as a training partner, I got to see a lot that I wouldn’t have gotten to see but I also got perspective and got to feel the sting of being at the World Championships but not competing.
What is the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
I’d pay my tithe and offering and then I would do something for my mom.
What is something you’re afraid of?
I would say not reaching my full potential.
What is something you do to pass the time on long road trips?
Sleep
What kind of advice would you give a younger wrestler?
Know your “why”.
Follow-up: What is your “why”?
Fun and family.
What is your favorite thing about wrestling?
You can’t hide.
Do you have any pre-match rituals?
I squat down, pray, and smack the mat before every match.
Do you have any plans once your wrestling career is over?
I enjoy broadcasting and commentating.
Follow-up: What do you think makes you a good commentator?
I think I’m pretty calm and collected for the most part unless someone does something really cool. I do a good job of explaining what’s going on without over-explaining and making people feel as if they’re less intelligent for not knowing what’s going on. And I dress really well.
A few months ago, you competed in the AWL event. Is that something you enjoyed and think you would do again?
I had fun at AWL. I thought it was a great time and opportunity to wrestle and develop myself some more. So, if there was another opportunity I would do it. It was hectic this time. The only reason I was able to do it was because it was in Iowa. My wife actually went into labor a couple hours before the event started. So right after I got done, I got in my car and drove back. Our daughter, Hayven, was born the next day.
What is it like being a father?
It’s awesome. It can be hectic at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s definitely a blessing.
The Gadson File
Born: July 9, 1992
High School: Waterloo, Iowa (East)
College: Iowa State
Club: Sunkist Kids
Residence: Ames. Iowa
Twitter: @GadsonStrong
Instagram: @gadsonstrong
• 2018 Final X runner-up
• 2017 U.S. Open champion
• Second in 2017 U.S. World Team Trials
• 2016 University Nationals champion
• Third in 2016 U.S. Open
• 2015 NCAA champion for Iowa State
• Three-time NCAA All-American (2013-2015)
• Three-time Big 12 champion (2013-2015)
• Two-time Iowa High School State champion (2009-2010)
Kyven Gadson is currently the No. 2 wrestler at 97 kg/213 lbs. for Team USA’s Men’s Freestyle National Team.
The 26-year-old Waterloo, Iowa native was a three-time All-American and 2015 NCAA champion for Iowa State University.
Since finishing his college career, Gadson has decided to stay and train in Ames where he has become a University Nationals champion, 2017 U.S. Open champion, 2018 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champion and 2018 Final X runner-up.
Gadson took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions. Here are his top 15 responses…
What is your favorite movie?
Remember the Titans. It reminds me of my dad and it just has a great story of people coming together and working towards one goal and how adversity helps to create a stronger youth.
Who is your favorite athlete in another sport?
Anyone that is great in their sport and is doing something unprecedented I like to watch. So, some of my favorites are (Katie) Ledecky, (Lebron) James, (Michael) Phelps, and (Usain) Bolt.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
I did baseball, taekwondo, football, and soccer. But I stopped all of them eventually for wrestling.
Everybody knows you like ice cream, but do you have a favorite brand and/or flavor?
I’ll say no comment at this time, but I really like chocolate chip cookie dough.
Who is your favorite wrestler (past or present) to watch?
For me growing up it was Cael (Sanderson). Growing up in Iowa and being an Iowa State fan, it was very easy at that time to watch Cael and want to emulate him.
What is your favorite place you’ve travelled to?
I would say it’s Budapest for the World Championships. I felt like as a training partner, I got to see a lot that I wouldn’t have gotten to see but I also got perspective and got to feel the sting of being at the World Championships but not competing.
What is the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
I’d pay my tithe and offering and then I would do something for my mom.
What is something you’re afraid of?
I would say not reaching my full potential.
What is something you do to pass the time on long road trips?
Sleep
What kind of advice would you give a younger wrestler?
Know your “why”.
Follow-up: What is your “why”?
Fun and family.
What is your favorite thing about wrestling?
You can’t hide.
Do you have any pre-match rituals?
I squat down, pray, and smack the mat before every match.
Do you have any plans once your wrestling career is over?
I enjoy broadcasting and commentating.
Follow-up: What do you think makes you a good commentator?
I think I’m pretty calm and collected for the most part unless someone does something really cool. I do a good job of explaining what’s going on without over-explaining and making people feel as if they’re less intelligent for not knowing what’s going on. And I dress really well.
A few months ago, you competed in the AWL event. Is that something you enjoyed and think you would do again?
I had fun at AWL. I thought it was a great time and opportunity to wrestle and develop myself some more. So, if there was another opportunity I would do it. It was hectic this time. The only reason I was able to do it was because it was in Iowa. My wife actually went into labor a couple hours before the event started. So right after I got done, I got in my car and drove back. Our daughter, Hayven, was born the next day.
What is it like being a father?
It’s awesome. It can be hectic at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s definitely a blessing.
The Gadson File
Born: July 9, 1992
High School: Waterloo, Iowa (East)
College: Iowa State
Club: Sunkist Kids
Residence: Ames. Iowa
Twitter: @GadsonStrong
Instagram: @gadsonstrong
• 2018 Final X runner-up
• 2017 U.S. Open champion
• Second in 2017 U.S. World Team Trials
• 2016 University Nationals champion
• Third in 2016 U.S. Open
• 2015 NCAA champion for Iowa State
• Three-time NCAA All-American (2013-2015)
• Three-time Big 12 champion (2013-2015)
• Two-time Iowa High School State champion (2009-2010)
