Kyven Gadson wants Iowa State wrestling to return to national prominence

Iowa+States+Kyven+Gadson+celebrates+his+pin+on+Ohio+States+Kyle+Snyder+in+the+197-pound+NCAA+Championship+at+the+Scottrade+Center+in+St.+Louis%2C+Mo.+on+March+21%2C+2015.+Gadson+lost+to+Snyder+at+Final+X+2019.+David+Scrivner+%2F+Iowa+City+Press-Citizen

David Scrivner / Iowa City Press

Iowa State’s Kyven Gadson celebrates his pin on Ohio State’s Kyle Snyder in the 197-pound NCAA Championship at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo. on March 21, 2015. Gadson lost to Snyder at Final X 2019. David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

Ben Visser
January 31, 2017

Kyven Gadson, the most recent Iowa State wrestling National Champion, wants the program to return to national prominence.

The once proud program is in the middle of a 1-9 season, and its coach Kevin Jackson said Tuesday that he is stepping down at the end of the season.

“I think [returning the program to prominence] was something that K.J. and his staff worked hard on in trying to accomplish,” Gadson said. “I think we all fell short of that goal from year to year.

Gadson had one of the most successful careers of any wrestler under Jackson.

He won the 2015 NCAA Championships at 197 pounds, was a three-time All-American and a three-time Big 12 Champion.

“I think the whole reason I chose to wrestle for coach Jackson is because I saw him as a man that would help me accomplish my goals and my dreams,” Gadson said. “He did his part by coaching me and mentoring me. Basically giving me the opportunity to grow into the young man that I am. I’m very appreciative of coach Jackson and his family and everything they’ve sacrificed to allow me to be in the position I’m in. Him and his family mean a lot to me.”

Iowa State has one of the strongest recruiting classes in its history. And one of the best wrestlers in the class, Austin Gomez, has requested a release from the school because Jackson won’t be the coach.

While Gomez has requested a release, other top-ranked recruits Jarod Verkleeren and Marcus Coleman have remained committed to Iowa State, they announced on Twitter.

As for the current squad, Iowa State All-American Pat Downey has left the door open as to whether or not he’ll return.

No matter what, Gadson will remain loyal to Jackson.

“Like coach Jackson said, ‘It’s time for someone else to take the reigns,’” Gadson said. “If that’s what he says needs to happen, then I’m going to support my coach like I have since 2009 when I committed to wrestle for him and the Iowa State Cyclones.”