Kyven Gadson reached the finals of the U.S. World Team Trials (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)AMES, Iowa -- Kyven Gadson will remain a Cyclone. The 2017 U.S. Open Champion announced Monday that he would be joining Kevin Dresser's Cyclone Regional Training Center. Gadson is now the first official full time C-RTC athlete.
"I grew up an Iowa State fan based off the legacy that my Uncle Charlie and my late father Willie Gadson helped create in the 1970s," Gadson said. "Family and legacy are huge to me. I want to thank coaches Kevin Dresser, Mike Zadick, Derek St. John and Brent Metcalf for inviting me to be a part of the new vision and continue the legacy."
Gadson chose to stay at home after talking with Minnesota, Arizona State, Penn State, Northern Iowa and Northwestern.
"Getting Kyven locked into the C-RTC was one of our first priorities," Dresser said. "You look at a guy who represents the University, this team, like Kyven does and is also a stud on the mat, it was a must have for us. His impeccable character is also noticeable."
Along with training for his senior level competition, Gadson will be a vital tool in the Iowa State wrestling room. Dresser and his staff plan to use Gadson as an extension of their coaching staff.
"Kyven is incredibly bright," Dresser added. "We're going to look to him to mentor our team and be a spokesperson among many things as he continues to train and develop."
After claiming the 2015 197-pound NCAA title, Gadson decided to continue his wrestling career. After making the transition to freestyle, Gadson has become a force at 97 kg. He competed at the 2016 Olympic Trials, and claimed a University Nationals title that same summer, earning a spot on the University World Team.
To begin 2017, he finished runner-up at the Dave Schultz Memorial International and third at the Granma y Cerro Pelado Cup. Gadson's crowning senior-level achievement thus far was winning the 2017 U.S. Open. Most recently, Gadson qualified for his firstUnited States National Team, earning runner-up honors at the World Team Trials.
Signing Gadson is a step in the right direction, Dresser noted. Their staff will continue to evaluate other athletes this summer, and will look to make a couple more additions before school starts.
"We're looking at a few guys, some former CWC athletes," Dresser said. "But we're not just going to go out and spend money, just to spend money. We want to make sure we are getting the right guys. This is a process."
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