The wrestling season was beyond great. 

Refuse to lose was the perfect motto for the season.

Five wrestlers represented the Wildkats at state last weekend, but senior Josh King was the lone Wildkat who medaled. 

King finished 4th in the state in the 170 lb. weight class. It was an amazing ending to his Wildkat wrestling career. 

“It was amazing to find out I was 4th in state,” he said. “I came back from an injury last year to medal at state this year.”

King wants to leave a legacy for the wrestling team and encourages all to refuse to lose. 

“It means a lot because it is my senior year,” he said. “Setting a legacy and big goals means a lot because people now  have to live up to my legacy.”

King bounced back from his injury last year that kept him out of making it to state.

“My family was very proud of me,” he said.  “I came out with an injury last year that sent me home from regionals, so my family smiled after I won my first few matches this year. It pushed and motivated me to do better and set a higher goal.”

King was inspired by Coach Bryan Blake to pursue wrestling and finally, with much hesitation, started the sport his second year in high school. 

“Coach Blake inspired me to start,” King said. “Sophomore year I decided to give it a try, and I fell in love with it. I will continue in college.”

King gives gratitude to his  teammates who really pushed him to be great.

“I have a good team,” he said. “I have to give it to my partners Cameron Collier and Skylar Murillo. Without them pushing and motivating me, I wouldn’t have got here where I’m at.”

King will forever remember his experience with wrestling. The sport gave him control and the opportunity to be better. 

“Wrestling has changed my life,” he said. “I used to have anger issues and being in wrestling helped me to control it and release it too. It helps motivate me to become a better man with hard work and dedication.”