With the ADM wrestling team still over a week away from getting back on the mats for dual meet competition, we’ve asked head coach Justin Schmauss to reflect on what he’s seen from his wrestlers in the first month and a half of their season.

While some Tigers’ have performed above Schmauss’ expectations and others have not quite lived up to their potential, one ADM wrestler has been a particularly welcome surprise.

“Hunter Gibson has been the biggest surprise for me.  He was a JV wrestler last year but he put on about 30 pounds and grew about four/five inches, and he’s just really filled into that 195-pound role and is wrestling really well.  I’m really happy with where he’s at and excited about how he can finish.”

Schmauss says if Gibson can find that “good takedown on his feet and a go-to move,” then the young sophomore will be awfully tough to beat down the home stretch of the season.

“He’s got really good defense and he’s tough on bottom and on top… but we’re working with him to just take him to that next level for sure.”

Gibson is currently 10-3 on the season, and three of his wins have come via pins.  Two of Gibson’s losses came via close decisions of two points or less, and he’s only been pinned a single time this year.