2025 Season Recap: Coach Cannon Reflects on Kiowa County Wrestling's Gritty and Groundbreaking Inaugural Season
In sports, first seasons often come with growing pains, but for Kiowa County’s wrestling program, the 2025 winter season was less about wins and losses and more about laying a strong foundation. Under the leadership of Head Coach Shawn Cannon, the fledgling team made history — earning the school’s first wrestling victories in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions, and even securing a state placement.
All of this was accomplished with just six wrestlers, one of whom came in with prior experience. Despite the odds, the team showed tremendous growth, resilience, and unity. Their journey this year was not only about learning the sport of wrestling but also about building something new and lasting.
Starting from Scratch: Building a Program
Launching a new athletic program is no small feat. For Coach Cannon, this year meant starting from the ground up. “We had only one wrestler with experience, so we knew we had to play catch-up,” he shared. That lone experienced athlete, James, emerged as the team’s leader and biggest contributor, capping the season with an impressive state placement—a rare and remarkable achievement for a first-year program.
But while James led on the mat, the rest of the team showed up where it mattered most: week-to-week improvement, mutual support, and relentless effort. “Each wrestler had their own way to help each other and played their own role in our success,” Cannon said. This team-centric approach laid the groundwork for a strong culture that will serve the program well into the future.
Season Highlights: Growth, Grit, and Firsts
While wrestling can be a grueling, individual sport, the Kiowa County team made collective progress that was evident throughout the season. “Every wrestler ended up with wins,” said Cannon. “And all wrestlers had positive growth.”
Among the top highlights was James’ performance at the state level, but equally significant were the first-ever wins for Kiowa County wrestlers, both boys and girls. These milestone victories not only boosted morale but signaled to the broader community that this program is here to stay.
The season wasn’t without setbacks. As is common in wrestling, the team faced injuries and illnesses, which tested their endurance and spirit. But through it all, they pressed on. Coach Cannon also highlighted the hospitality and support from other coaches across the state. As a new coach in a new program, he leaned on this network to help answer questions, adjust training methods, and navigate the challenges of the season.
Defining Moments: Weights, Wisdom, and Understanding the Grind
For many on the team, the opening matches of the season were a baptism by fire. “Your very first match is always your toughest,” Cannon explained. “You have no clue what to expect. And most of them had never even seen a wrestling match before.”
After the first tournament, something clicked. “Most of them came to me and said they finally understood what I was talking about—how tough wrestling really is,” he said. That realization marked a turning point. The grit required to get better became part of the team’s DNA.
One specific practice adjustment also helped push the team forward: introducing weights into training sessions. This shift dramatically improved the wrestlers' conditioning and toughness, giving them an edge as the season progressed.
All Hands In: Development Across the Roster
With only six team members, there was nowhere to hide. Every athlete had to show up, commit, and grow. Coach Cannon emphasized how each wrestler developed not just in technique, but also in intangibles like sportsmanship, team spirit, and leadership.
“They added to the team in different ways,” he noted. Some led warm-ups, others organized team games, while others shared new moves or tips on weight management—a major component of the sport. “They all learned to overcome adversity,” Cannon said, reflecting proudly on their collective progress.
Leadership and the Road Ahead
While this year’s team didn’t have a large senior class to lean on, they did begin to form the leadership habits that will be crucial moving forward. For Coach Cannon, one of the most exciting prospects is watching how these first-year wrestlers evolve into second-year leaders.
“What I’m most excited about is seeing what these kids will do in their second year,” he said. “And how they’ll help prepare the new kids for what to expect.” In other words, this year’s pioneers will soon become the mentors, passing down their hard-won knowledge and experience to the next generation of Kiowa County wrestlers.
Offseason Vision: Lifting, Learning, and Leveling Up
For a new program, the offseason is critical. Coach Cannon is already thinking about how to elevate training, refine his own coaching strategies, and keep the momentum going.
“I’m always looking at ways to change and improve our drills,” he said. “Finding new techniques and coaching styles is a big focus.” He’s encouraging his athletes to lift weights, attend camps, and wrestle wherever and whenever they can during the summer.
Building muscle, building technique, and—just as importantly—building belief will be key themes in the months ahead.
Looking to Improve: Data, Documentation, and Development
One area Coach Cannon wants to strengthen next season is tracking statistics more closely. Currently, the team keeps records of wins, losses, and opponents, but he hopes to add more detailed metrics in the future.
“Stats are something I want to improve upon next year,” he said. Having better data will not only help in assessing progress but will also serve as a powerful motivational tool for wrestlers as they chase their goals.
A Foundation Laid, A Future Bright
The 2025 season was about far more than medals or match scores. It was about laying the bricks for what promises to be a strong, sustainable wrestling program at Kiowa County. Coach Cannon’s vision, the team’s buy-in, and the early results all suggest that this was just the beginning of something special.
In a sport where toughness, individual accountability, and resilience are everything, the Kiowa County wrestlers have already proven they have what it takes—not just to compete, but to grow, to inspire, and eventually, to dominate.
As the mats are rolled up and the season fades into memory, one thing is certain: Kiowa County Wrestling has arrived—and it’s just getting started.
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