Arkansas Wrestle (All images via obutigers.com)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ouachita sophomore Cayden Byrd was announced as the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association Wrestler of the Week after being crowned the 197-pound champion at the Viking Open on Saturday in Poteau, Okla.
It came full-circle when it dawned on him that just one year ago on Veteran’s Day, he was just a freshman training to compete in the Bob Smith Open when he took a shot and felt his knee pop on the mat. Soon later it was revealed Byrd had suffered a medial meniscus tear, an injury that forced him to redshirt and watch from the sidelines as his teammates competed without him.
The Dallas native was forced to endure the most unforgiving battle in wrestling, recovering from an injury while still trying to master your maneuvers, maintain your weight and stay in wrestling shape. Byrd’s road to recovery was anything but easy. After undergoing surgery on Jan. 7 to remove the damaged portion of his meniscus, he spent eight months rebuilding strength and flexibility through extensive physical therapy over the summer.
Fast forward to November and Byrd was given an opportunity to seize the varsity spot while teammate Parker Henry recovered from his own shoulder surgery.
Byrd made the most of his opportunity and his commitment was showcased in Poteau, Okla. Byrd steamrolled through his bracket at the Viking Open in dominant fashion, outscoring his opponents by a combined score of 51-12. The Lake Highlands product opened the tournament with a 21-5 tech fall over Carl Albert State’s Carmichael Gonzalez, followed by a first-period fall against Central Baptist’s Jourdan Reeves in 3:57. Byrd used a lethal high crotch and low single-leg takedowns to roll past University of the Ozarks’ Jadaan Anderson with a 10-2 major decision before sealing the title with a 13-4 win over Tarleton State’s Colin Vasquez.
“I was just looking to score off my opponents’ shots and use those counter shots to my advantage,” Byrd said. “Whenever my opponent would get lazy or dive in, I’d make sure I finished him. My goal was just to push myself. Not necessarily to focus on my opponent, but to see how far I can go with my offense.”
Byrd wasted no time identifying the areas for improvement after dropping a close bout against Drury last Wednesday. He confessed he had to work on his escape, his footwork and commit to chain wrestling. Whether it’s countering opposing attacks or setting up shots to get into his own offense, he wants to push himself to wrestle for the entire seven-minute match, if not longer.
“I was really pleased with Cayden’s performance this past weekend,” Ouachita head coach Kevin Crutchmer said. “He has a lot of talent. Coming off last year where he sat due to an injury is a testament to how hard he worked to get back on the mat.”
With his knee fully healed and confidence growing each match, Byrd’s mindset is to take his journey step by step, with intentions to conquer every step along the way. A journey from a partially torn meniscus to earning the MIAA Wrestler of the Week award in just his second collegiate tournament. With four years of eligibility, Byrd’s resurgent campaign is a prime example of how determination can turn the page from a lost season into a showcase.
“Whether it’s my positioning, effort, or overcoming whatever adversity I’m faced with,” Byrd said. “I just want to make sure I give it my all and stay one step ahead of my opponent.”
Ouachita visits Williams Baptist for a dual meet on Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. in Jonesboro, Ark.
