Cedric Gibson

Cedric didn't step onto the mat until his sophomore year at Plainfield North High School in Illinois. Despite the late start, he fell in love with the sport instantly, developing the grit and discipline that would define his coaching philosophy today.

By the end of his high school career, Cedric had rewritten the record books. He became the first male state qualifier in Plainfield North history, finished his career ranked in the Top 5 in the state, and set the school record for most takedowns in a single season and career, a testament to his aggressive and relentless style on the mat.

At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Cedric was a two-time Team Captain, leading the Warhawks to 2nd and 3rd place finishes at the NCAA Division III National Tournament. He earned All-American honors in both seasons and was selected for the NCAA Division III All-Star Team, where he represented the United States in international competition in Bulgaria. He finished his career ranked 4th in total takedowns in UW-Whitewater history.

After a brief hiatus from competition, Cedric's competitive fire returned. He became a 4x USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Champion and 3x USA Wrestling US Open Freestyle National Champion in the Veterans Division. His coaching journey spans multiple programs including Lake Park High School, Wheaton College, UW-Eau Claire, Cave Creek High School, Sarbacker Wrestling Academy, and Mt. Horeb Middle School. Today, Cedric is fully committed to Gorilla Lab Wrestling Academy while remaining a member of the UW-Whitewater coaching staff and contributing to the UW-Madison Badger RTC Program.