The regular season is over, and that means, at least to some on the Iowa State wrestling team, that it is time to move forward and forget. Forget the bad things, and just focus on what matters next: the Big 12 Championships.

“We’re coming off a tough loss last weekend against a very good Minnesota team,” said ISU assistant coach Troy Nickerson. “But from here on out, we’re focused on the postseason, and we’re looking to make a big run at the conference tournament in two weeks.”

The Cyclones won just three matches against the top-ranked Gophers, falling 27-12 Feb. 23. However, some wrestlers still managed to stand out.

Sophomore Earl Hall kicked things off on Sunday at 125 pounds when he took on Minnesota’s Sam Brancale. Hall found himself down early, but with just 20 seconds left in the third period, he was able to come up with a pin.

“Earl has done a nice job, especially as of late,” Nickerson said. “He didn’t wrestle a perfect match this weekend, not by any means, but he found a way to win. That just shows his competitive nature and what he is able to do. He’s one of those guys that works to have a strong postseason and work his way to the podium.”

It’s Showtime

Hall wasn’t the only wrestler to make headlines last weekend.

All-American and No. 1 197-pounder Kyven Gadson once again proved why he is the top wrestler in the nation, defeating No. 5 Scott Schiller of Minnesota. Schiller has bested Gadson three times prior, giving this fourth matchup more meaning, but this time Gadson came out the victor.

“He’s one of the most talented athletes that I’ve ever seen,” Nickerson said of Gadson. “As of late, things have been going his way, and this past weekend was a good indicator of that. When he’s on, he’s going to be very hard to beat.“

Gadson’s win over Schiller was more than just another mark in the win column, and with the win, Gadson has now won 30 dual matches in a row, a personal record for the Cyclone. His win also earned him the title of Big 12 Wrestler of the Week, his first weekly award of the season.

Leadership among his teammates isn’t just coming out now, though. Nickerson said he has seen it from Gadson for years.

“He’s been our leader for the past two years,” Nickerson said. “He’s the driving force that is pushing us in the right direction. He probably lets his emotions get too involved from time to time, but he realizes that he’s one guy on a 10-man team, and there’s only so much that he can do. But he’s an integral part of moving our program along. He’s a class act.”

With all of Gadson’s success, some may wonder if the pressure of being ranked No. 1 gets to the redshirt junior. According to Nickerson, however, it will just add to his success.

“He likes when the lights are on,” Nickerson said. “His nickname is ‘Showtime’. He lives for the big matches and big moments. Headed into the postseason, he’s looking forward to being the guy to beat. I think that’s helped his confidence and if everything’s working in his favor, he’s going to win.”

Early projections have Gadson as the top seed at the Big 12 Championships, which begin March 8 in Norman, Okla.