Kyven Gadson picked up a big win last weekend, upending second-ranked Travis Rutt (Oklahoma) with a takedown in overtime. The 3-1 triumph boosted his record to 14-2, but it almost cost him his nickname.
“His nickname is ‘Showtime’,” Coach Kevin Jackson said. “I don’t want to have to take that ‘Showtime’ nickname away from him.”
Jackson has noted a cautious Gadson on occasion this season. Jackson doesn’t remember Gadson losing a scramble or scoring points when the action is heavy. Not being aggressive on offense, however, has put Gadson in some tough situations.
“We need to see more of that action that we saw in overtime (vs. OU) during the match,” Jackson said of the third-rated Gadson. “Sometimes, he worries more about the win than dominating.”
Through 16 matches this season, Gadson has five falls. His decisions have come by an average of 3.8 points. He has three one-point wins.
Last year As a sophomore, Gadson’s decisions were by an average of 4.5 points.
Jackson knows the potential of his prized pupil when he cuts it loose and feels the overtime win over a strong Sooner opponent is more proof to Gadson that he should wrestle aggressively.
Wins are great and Gadson is collecting them at a high rate, but Jackson wants to see him start living up to his nickname on a consistent basis, too.
2:00 Timeout 