Gadson was undefeated in both a junior and senior, winning the Iowa state wrestling tournament in the 171-lb and 189-lb weight classes, respectively.

He finished his senior season ranked as the sixth-best high school wrestler in the nation at the 189-lb weight class by both the Amateur Wrestling News (AWN) and Intermat.

During the 2010-11 season of NCAA Division I collegiate wrestling for the Iowa State Cyclones (ISU), Gadson redshirted.

Additionally, Gadson was the 197-lb Big 12 Conference champion and the runner-up at the UNI Open due to a forfeit in the championship match for injury concerns.

In recognition of Gadson's athletic achievements while returning from a season-ending injury a year earlier, he was recognized as the Amateur Wrestling News (AWN) Comeback Wrestler of the Year and the AWN Courage Award winner, as well as the ISU Outstanding Wrestler and ISU Total Commitment Award winner.

Gadson is currently the second-ranked American freestyle wrestler at the 97-kg (214-lb) weight class after Olympic and World Championship gold medalist Kyle Snyder.