The focus has shifted. At least that’s the case for most of the ISU wresting team headed into the postseason.

With just less than a week until the team travels to the Big 12 Championships in Norman, Okla., ISU coach Kevin Jackson feels the team is more prepared mentally than they have been all season.

“Our guys are excited headed into Norman, and they understand that everything else was practice up to this point,” Jackson said. “I think we’re as healthy as we’ve been in a long time and I think this is a great opportunity. Last year we had a decent performance, so I’m looking for us to repeat that performance and even be better this year.”

While winning a Big 12 championship is a top priority for the Cyclones, qualifying for the NCAA tournament is also at stake for certain wrestlers.

Some, like 125-pounder Earl Hall, may already be an automatic qualifier for the NCAA tournament. However, with Hall’s status at the national tournament not set in stone, Jackson doesn’t want Hall to get overconfident.

“Earl is probably an automatic qualifier, but I don’t want him to get into his head that he’s going to the tournament no matter what,” Jackson said. “We need to see the best Earl Hall this weekend. If that guy shows up, and I’m confident that he will, we’ll feel real good about his performance.”

Hall isn’t the only one on the team with an NCAA tournament berth on the line. Redshirt freshman Quean Smith has yet to qualify, but is just one win away from being eligible for the championships.

“I think Quean’s ready. I really think he is,” Jackson said. “I expect him to qualify, and I think that he knows that. Anything less would be a big, big disappointment. He’s good enough to get there, and we expect his best performance as well. If we get that, he’ll get to the tournament.”

No. 1 197-pounder Kyven Gadson is hoping to make a statement at the conference tournament as well. While he has already qualified for the NCAA tournament, a win this weekend all but ensures a top-seed for the national tournament.

While some may wonder if Gadson’s win streak may falter — he’s won 30 dual matches in a row — Jackson feels that the best Gadson is yet to come.

“I really believe that we still haven’t seen the best out of Kyven,” Jackson said. “He continues to improve and continues to get better. His confidence has grown, and he can really dominate matches, and that’s what we’re looking for him to do. He knows what’s at stake, and he’s ready to be a Big 12 champion.”