Former Colony wrestler 2nd in NAIA tourney

PALMER — Most state champions grow up on the mat. Most wrestlers who compete for national titles are born wearing a singlet and set of headgear. Kyle Wilson is the exception to the rule. He was the little guy on the football field, a ninth grader recruited by the wrestling coach.

But that little guy went on to do big things.

Two Alaska 4A individual state titles. Three high school team titles. Two top-4 finishes in the NAIA national tournament, including a runner-up finish in 2015. It’s an impressive wrestling resume for a grappler who didn’t even start his career until his freshman year at Colony High School. Wilson, a 2009 graduate of Colony High, recently celebrated the biggest achievement of his career, finishing as the runner-up at 141 pounds in the NAIA national tournament.

“It was definitely exciting. It was nice to be on the big stage for once,” Wilson, a senior at the University of Great Falls, said by cellphone recently. “In college it’s pretty tough.”

Grand View University’s Brandon Wright edged Wilson 4-3 in the 141-pound match of the NAIA finals. Wilson said an early takedown by Wright proved to be key in the match. Wright was able to hang on and win his second straight national title.

“I gave it everything. I left everything out there. I have nothing to hang my head about,” Wilson said.

Wilson, who finished 30-6 as a senior, cherishes his opportunity to compete on his level’s biggest stage.

“Since it was my last year, it was cool to experience it all,” Wilson said. “It’s nice to not have any regrets.”

The achievement highlighted a stellar college career that included stops at Grand Canyon University in Arizona and UGF in Montana. After graduating from Colony High School, Wilson headed for NCAA Division II Grand Canyon. There, he was a starter for two seasons, finishing 34-27 at 141 pounds. Wilson was 16-15 as a true freshman. As a sophomore, Wilson finished 18-12 and was an NCAA national qualifier.

Wilson called the move from Arizona to Great Falls, “a lifestyle decision.”

The size of the university in Arizona and location were among the factors, he said.

“There are no trees. It’s hot. It’s the polar opposite of Palmer, Alaska,” Wilson said of the Arizona school.

But Wilson found a great place to land. He felt he fit in better there, he said. He also quickly found his place in the program. Wilson helped anchor the Argo starting lineup for two seasons, finishing a combined 55-12 during his final two years. As a junior, Wilson was 22-6. He earned NAIA All-American honors, helped his team finish as the national runner-up, best in school history. Wilson placed fourth in his weight class at the national tournament.

The success continued. He was 30-6 as a senior. The Argos placed fourth overall, and he was second at 141. He earned All-American honors for the second-straight year.

Wilson took a shorter path to wrestling success, and quickly ascended in the sport. Wilson credited former Colony High head wrestling coach Fred McKinney with helping him find his way to the mat. McKinney, also an assistant with the football program, found Wilson on the field during Wilson’s ninth-grade year.

“I was one of the smaller guys. He said I should come out for wrestling. Two years later I ditched football,” Wilson said. “Wrestling is where my heart was. If I didn’t have Fred, I would have never wrestled.”

Wilson enjoyed immediate success. He qualified for the 4A state tournament as a freshman, and placed sixth. As a sophomore, Wilson was a state champion.

“Most people don’t start winning state titles their second year of doing anything,” Wilson said. “It was really cool to pick it up and be a natural at it.”

Wilson advanced to the state finals in each of his final three years at Colony High. His first state title, as a sophomore in 2007, came at 112 pounds. He finished as a state runner-up in 2008, before capping his high school career with the state title at 125 pounds in 2009. Wilson was undefeated as a senior in high school, and earned honorable mention All-American honors by USA Wrestling in 2009.

Overall, Wilson was 185-15 with 101 pins during his four years with the Knights. Wilson also helped lead Colony to three straight team titles.

As he looks back on his high school career now, Wilson said, he’s humbled by it. McKinney played a major role. He also said Hollan Gravely, a friend, a former teammate at Colony High, was a mentor during his time at Colony.

Wilson’s career as a college athlete is over, but he’s not ready to leave the sport. A liberal arts major with a 3.85 grade point average, Wilson said he will pursue his Master’s degree. There are opportunities to become a graduate assistant coach. Regardless of where his next path in life leads him, Wilson said he will coach wrestling.

“I do want to stick with the sport that got my into college,” Wilson said.