Olympic Trials a learning experience for Cabell

IOWA CITY — Blaize Cabell walked away with mixed emotions.

Northern Iowa's three-time NCAA qualifier was discouraged with the outcome, but remained encouraged to improve for his crack at the country's best freestyle wrestlers.

Cabell dropped his only two matches at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The former Independence prep will look to grow from his first appearance here.

'Any time you get to go out and compete and scrap against top dudes in the country, and guys who are winning medals and stuff overseas, it's always a good experience,' said Cabell, who will take some time off and then compete at University Nationals. 'Obviously, I'm going to be pretty pissed about this for a while but it's a learning curve.'

Cabell had a chance to win both bouts. He opened with a 7-5 loss to Dustin Kilgore, a former Kent State NCAA champion. He hit a four-point throw to tie former Minnesota All-American Scott Schiller before being eliminated by a 12-7 decision. He wasn't satisfied with stepping on the mat for a couple bouts

'I've always told myself that I'm there,' Cabell said. 'It's time to get over the hump. I'm right there with those guys and I know I can compete with them. It just comes down to getting out there and finding a way to win.'

Cabell, who was seventh at the 2015 U.S. Open and second at the 2014 University Nationals, earned a spot by winning the 275-pound title at last weekend's Last Chance Qualifier in Cedar Falls. He cut down to 213 for this tournament. He said the results show he needs to work on defending his legs and develop better turns.

Quicker and more agile competitors will take some getting used to after wrestling bigger heavyweights for the Panthers.

'I don't feel bad,' Cabell said. 'I think I need to work on a little bit of speed adjustment still. I'm kind of use to the heavier guys, who don't move quite as fast.'

CYCLONES CLASH

Jake Varner and Kyven Gadson were both 197-pound NCAA champions for Iowa State. Varner won consecutive college crowns in 2009 and 2010. Gadson was the 2015 national titlist. In 2016, their paths crossed in the 213-pound challenge tournament of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on Sunday.

The similar history had no impact on Varner.

'It doesn't matter,' Varner said. 'At this level, it's all USA.'

Varner beat Gadson, 4-0, in the semifinals en route to the challenge tournament championship, setting up a rematch with 2015 World champion Kyle Snyder for the Olympic spot.

Varner scored a point when Gadson failed to score when placed on a 30-second shot clock in the first. He added a first-period takedown and a second-period push out.

Varner said it was a fun match.

'He came out there firing with some shots, but he's a tough young kid,' said Varner, adding, 'He represents Iowa State well.'

As does Varner, who seems to be wrestling closer to the level that resulted in a 2012 Olympic gold medal and 2011 World bronze medal. He was second to Snyder at the World team trials last year and they altered his workload.

'I feel like I'm wrestling a lot better,' Varner said. 'We've changed some stuff up with our training, conditioning and strength training.'

ATTENDANCE FIGURES

The opening day of the U.S. Olympic team Trials drew 21,922 spectators. The first session drew 10,855 fans on Saturday. The evening session on the first day had 11,067 in attendance.

Sunday morning's third session attracted 11,171 spectators with 11,162 attending Sunday night's finals. The total attendance for both days was 44,254.

The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, also at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, set the all-time attendance mark with 54,766 over four sessions.

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