Kevin Thompson earns State qualifying status as multi-sport athlete

Kevin Thompson, commonly known at Kennett High School as “Big Kev”, wrapped up his winter sports season at the Class 3 State Wrestling Championships.

It was his first time qualifying for state in wrestling, making a state qualifier in each Missouri High School Sports season.

He is a two-time All-State selection for football, a sport held in the Fall. Last year, as a junior he earned third at the State track and field championships during the spring season making the winter wrestling season the last of his ‘Infinity Stones’ to collect.

“It felt great,” Thompson said. “I didn’t have a lot of emotions when I qualified, but I was excited to go to state. I knew I wanted more.”

At the Class 2 District 1 Championships, Thompson went 3-0 in the 285 Ibs weight class to make it to the championship round. There he faced the undefeated Jacob Schweigert of Ste. Genevieve.

Thompson walked away with a runner-up placing after a technical fall to the 44-0 district champion, but held his head high with the knowledge he would be moving on to the state tournament.

“I went 36-5 which was better than last year and I made it to state which was a first,” Thompson said. “I had the chance to add more to the win column even after that.”

At the State tournament, Thompson won two of his three matches on Day 1 to move on to Day 2.

On Day 2, Thompson made his way through the consolation bracket before dropping his final wrestling match of his high school career in the third round.

According to Thompson, although wrestling was not his favorite of the three sports he participated in, he was thankful for all the lessons he learned from it.

More importantly, he was grateful to his coaches who helped him gain the confidence to compete at a high level.

“I wasn’t going to do this sport, but the coaches told me it would help me get better at football,” Thompson said. “And it did, it really did. I became more powerful. It’s not my favorite sport but it has made me better in every single other sport.”

Head wrestling coach James Tidd and assistant coach Andrew Webster have been Thompson’s coaches in all three sports he was gone to State for.

Webster was the head football and track and field coach when Thompson earned All-State in both of those sports. Meanwhile, Tidd was the assistant football coach and the throwing coach for Thompson.

“They are like fathers to me, honestly,” Thompson said. “They push me and tell me what things I am doing wrong and they will be there for you in any situation. They have been there for me in every situation, even outside of these sports.”

He said, their dedication to helping him has put him in this position.

His biggest lesson from having Tidd and Webster as his coach during the wrestling season was learning the work ethic it takes to make it far. Not only far in his sport, but far in life.

“I keep working,” Thompson, “Especially on days when no one else is. I keep pushing when people tell me I can’t, I just keep going. I’ve learned to believe in myself because I have these coaches around me around me who help me believe in myself. I don’t know where I would be without them.”

As those lessons carry over into the spring, the All-State senior prepares for the final sports season of his high school career. Thompson will look to make it back to the State track and field championships in May.

He said this track and field season will be all about holding up the same confidence he had in football and wrestling.

“Last year, I really wasn’t that confident in myself,” Thompson said. “But now I believe because I have the weight room to back it up, I got back in shape and I’m feeling stronger.”

Thompson will participate in the throwing events of shot put and discus. He is a returning bronze medalist in the discus event.

The Indian's first track meet will be the Kennett Thrower Open on Thursday, March 20. The first event will start at 3 p.m.