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Corner Canyon wrestler named All-American

Jun 24, 2020 11:25AM ● By Catherine Garrett

Kade Carlson, two-time state champion for Corner Canyon, added an All-American honor to his trophy case. He signed with West Point to compete for the Black Knights’ nationally-recognized Division I program in the fall.

By Catherine Garrett | [email protected]

Two-time state wrestling champion Kade Carlson, in the 285-pound weight division, was recently named a Wrestling USA Honorable Mention All-American for the 2019-20 season as part of the Corner Canyon High wrestling squad. He will now take his talents to the next level in wrestling for West Point.

“It feels great to be named an All-American,” Kade said. “It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I first started wrestling.”

Kade’s father, Dave Carlson, said it has been thrilling to see his son receive titles and awards throughout his wrestling career. “But, my real enjoyment has been watching Kade develop into a humble, hardworking and respectful man.”

Kade, who is among just 225 wrestlers nationwide that were recognized as All-Americans this year, recently graduated from CCHS and will be leaving this summer for the United States Military Academy at West Point.

“Kade has definitely left a legacy for Charger wrestling,” CCHS coach Jeff Eure said. “He is our first two-time state champion and four-time state placer. We will miss having Kade in our room.”

Kade’s journey in wrestling began as a second grader in Logan. His dad said that Kade was always bigger than others his age so he had to practice and compete in much older divisions. His athletic pursuits have taken him all over the country where he won a freestyle national championship and was also a runner-up in Greco Roman during junior high. Throughout his high school years, he placed in many top tournaments, including Ohio’s Walsh Jesuit Ironman and California’s Doc B Wrestling Tournament while taking care of business back home with two state championships and two other top-five finishes as an underclassman.

During all of these years, he attended more than 10 schools and had multiple coaches while being raised by a single parent. “We moved a lot over his childhood,” Dave said. “If it wasn’t for the diversity of coaching and commitment from many great coaches, I am not sure Kade would be where he is today.”

Ultimately though, according to Kade, the credit goes to his dad. “I couldn’t have accomplished all I have without my dad,” Kade said. “He has been here every step of the way. There have been so many influential people over the years but he has been here since the beginning.”

Dave has observed Kade succeeding and “finding enjoyment in the preparation, camaraderie and challenge to become the best he can be.” “Wrestling is not the most fun sport because of the daily grind of battling with other people,” Dave said. “If you don’t find a way to enjoy it, you won’t do it because it is just too hard.”

Kade committed to West Point as a sophomore in high school to fulfill a desire to serve the country while also wrestling for a top-15 Division I program. “He knew it felt right and he turned away other recruiting trips because he knew he wanted to serve our country,” Dave said. “That’s something that I think any parent would be proud of.”

“I’m confident in my decision and excited for what the future holds,” Kade said. “West Point is going to prepare me best for my future as a man.”

Coach Eure said, “Kade has an incredible opportunity at West Point, and I know he will do great things.”