IOWA CITY, Iowa – Two former ISU wrestlers advanced to the Olympic Trials semi-final.

Jake Varner, the 2012 Olympic Champion at 97 kilograms, received a bye in the first round.

In the second round Varner, methodically beat his opponent by technical fall 11-0. Varner didn’t shoot a lot of attacks, but when he did, he made them count.

Kyven Gadson, the 2015 NCAA Champion at 197 pounds, defeated Kallen Kleinschmidt 3-2 in the first round. Gadson got a takedown in the first period en route to the victory.

In Gadson’s second match he wrestled Scott Schiller at 97 kg. When the first period ended, Gadson trailed 2-0.

In the second period Gadson shifted it into fourth gear and opened up his offense. He scored 13 straight points including two big four point moves as he defeated Schiller 13-2.

The semifinals saw the battle of former Cyclones going head-to-head to determine who would advance to the finals.

After the first period, and some nice counter offense, Varner led 3-0. In the second period the only point scored was a push out by Varner.

Varner defeated Gadson 4-0.

Gadson shot a number of attacks but Varner’s defense was too good for Gadson over come.

In the consolation semifinals Gadson wrestled Micah Burak. Burak pinned Gadson in the first period, ending Gadson’s Olympic Trials.

Varner wrestled Dustin Kilgore in the finals at 97 kg to determine who would wrestle Kyle Snyder in the best of three championship series. The winner of the series would determine who would wrestle in Rio at 97 kg.

Varner, like clock work, methodically took Kilgore down three times en route to a 6-0 victory.

The finals will begin at 6 p.m.