If all had gone as planned, last year would have been the year Austin Gibson’s collegiate wrestling career would have concluded. After all, the 2019 Bridgeport High School graduate had qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2023 and was looking to bounce back from an injury that curtailed any hopes of a title run in his weight class.

 

It was back in 2023 when Gibson qualified as a member of the Fairmont State University wrestling team in the 184-weight class to compete in the Division II championship. For any wrestler dedicated to their craft, they know they have put the work in to get there.

 

They also know work cannot always overcome a physical situation.

 

“When I got there in 2023, I had an injury. I lost my first two matches, and it was over just like that,” said Gibson.

 

Although disappointed, Gibson had another season to get back for another opportunity. This time, however, the opportunity would conclude almost as soon as it got started.

 

“I was looking forward to 2024, and it ended early. In my first practice I tore my LCL (lateral collateral ligament), and it was over,” said Gibson.

 

Gibson could have thrown in the towel. And considering the demands of the sport and doing it for so many years, no one would have blamed him. Instead, he went on a different route.

 

“I took a medical redshirt,” said Gibson.

 

This was not as Gibson planned things to go. However, he was not dismayed about his situation. Gibson knew he did not have control over his plans. He said God did.

 

“My initial thought was ‘this really sucks.’ But I’ve been pretty big in my faith and that faith in Jesus Christ and God made it okay,” he said. “As soon as I realized it was part of His plan, it eased the process and made the entire situation easier.”

 

The good news was that surgery would not be required. The not-so-good news is that that it would require a very lengthy rehabilitation process.

 

“It was longer than I would like, but it has worked out,” said Gibson. “I was able to do it with our athletic training staff at Fairmont State, which was a big help.”

 

It was big enough of a help that Gibson was ready for the most recent season. It is a season that has Gibson with a record of 23-7 in the same 184-pound weight class and heading back to the NCAA Division II Championships set for March 14-15 at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis.

 

Just knowing he made the return trip to the national tournament is impressive. How he earned the chance at the NCAA Super Region I tournament makes it even more impressive.

 

Gibson was one of two wrestlers – Colton Stoneking at 141 was the other – for Fairmont State qualifying for the national competition at Joe Retton Arena inside the Feaster Center at Fairmont State University. The top three individuals in each weight class advanced.

 

While Gibson advanced with a third-place finish, he literally did it without a second to spare.

 

“Once you lose it was do or die and I was in that position in the final match trying to finish third and qualify,” said Gibson. “It was a battle.”

 

Indeed, it was. After the first period and a second period essentially saw a 0-0 deadlock, the third period proved the opposite as 11 total points would be scored. Gibson would win 6-5.

 

“I got a takedown with one second on the clock. Getting it like that, getting it at home, made it pretty special,” said Gibson.

 

Gibson, who is set to graduate with a degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing, would like nothing better than to earn All-American status and bring home a national championship to Fairmont State and, by default, Bridgeport High School as well.

 

According to Gibson, there will be 18 wrestlers in each bracket in Indianapolis with the top eight earning a seed and the rest being part of a random draw. Gibson said he believes he will be a random draw.

 

“I’m fine with that if that’s how it shakes out. I like being the underdog,” said Gibson.

 

A collegiate title would go nicely with the one he earned as a high school freshman on the 2015 Indians football team. It will pair nicely with his 160-pound state championship he won as a senior at BHS. Regardless, he still has ties to the Tribe’s program and, when it is all over, he has everything wrestling has taught him.

 

“Our coaches (Gennaro Bonaventura and Cole Laya) have us prepared as we’ve went up against a tough schedule against the top teams. I’ve went up against three of the top five rated guys in the country, so I’ve seen the level of competition I’m about to face,” he said. “I just have to trust myself and wrestle my best.

 

“Wrestling is very demanding physically and mentally, so if you get to this point you are ready because you’re working toward goals you’ve spent years on,” he continued. “You know you’re going to face aversity and you know you can’t rely on anyone else once you’re out there. It’s just you and the other guy on the mat and I can assure anyone in this sport or getting into this sport that the process helps you in the real world as well.”

 

Along with his coaches and family, Gibson gave a shoutout to Fairmont State Assistant Athletic Director Ryan Courtney, who coached him as an assistant at BHS. Courtney has been a regular at matches involving Gibson.

 

“He’s a huge influence. Actually, the entire Courtney family is a second family to me,” he said. “… I’ve got my family, the Courtney family and, most importantly, myself to push for. Those people want the best for me, and I’ve got to go out and do my best.”

 

That journey for the son of Jason and Nikki Gibson and brother of Aidan starts as the Fairmont State contingent leaves Monday, March 10. It concludes for certain March 15 in Indianapolis where a Bridgeport High School graduate has a second chance to become a national champion.

 

“I feel ready. I’ve put in the work,” he said. “Now it’s time to see how this ends.”