A-K Valley Senior Spotlight: Highlands’ Kyren Veasley
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Monday, January 20, 2025 | 10:43 AM
Whenever Highlands senior wrestler Kyren Veasley transferred from Valley two years ago, he had all the talent to be a great wrestler.
“Kyren is one kid that I can honestly say, he’s a good wrestler no matter how he wrestles,” coach Grant Walters said. “Sometimes he’s a little more methodical. Sometimes he’s got his foot on the gas pedal. It depends on whether he’s ready to go get it or wants to challenge himself in other ways.”
After having a 26-7 record in his sophomore year at Valley, Veasley has gotten even better at Highlands, wrestling to a 50-19 record over the last two seasons at the 160- and 172-pound weight classes. This year he is 18-7 with nine pins.
Off the mat, it took a while for Veasley to understand what it took to be more of a leader for the Golden Rams (10-4, 3-0).
“When I first came to Highlands, I didn’t really talk,” he said. “I wrestled and then went home. Now, I feel like I’ve built a bond with my teammates, who I view as brothers.”
The change has been twofold. Veasley has taken to what Walters and the coaching staff at Highlands have shown him, and he has understood the importance of responsibility after the birth of his son in November.
“He’s found a reason for winning, and he understands life’s bigger picture and that there’s more to it than wrestling,” Walters said. “He’s realized that responsibility, and what we’ve taught him over these two years is going to make him not only a good wrestler but someone that can take care of things both on and off the mat.”
Veasley most recently won a title in the 2025 Bo Wood tournament Jan. 4 at IUP. Highlands placed fourth in the event.
“It was nice to win,” Veasley said, “I’m also very proud of how my teammates performed.”
Outside of wrestling, Veasley likes to show off his skills in other avenues, such as playing every defensive position for the Golden Rams football team.
“In the beginning of the year, they had me at corner and linebacker, and at the end of the year, I was playing nose guard, safety and outside linebacker,” he said. “They just didn’t know where to put me.”
His favorite moment from the football season? Returning the opening kickoff against Valley 68 yards for a touchdown.
“I was so happy when I did that,” Veasley recalled. “I’m even smiling now that I talk about it.”
Now, Veasley is focused on wrestling well in sections at the end of February.
“I need to do well so I can have a decent seed for WPIALs,” said Veasley.
Veasley took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:
What was it like winning a section title last season, and what was your mindset in the finals?
It was great, fun experience. I was thinking that I had to get first to get the better seed in WPIALs so I could seed there and have a better chance in regionals.
How do you think you wrestled in that match?
I wrestled Alan Danner from Hampton, and he was tough. I’ve wrestled and beaten him four times in my career, but that section title was the toughest match I had against him.
You finished fourth at WPIALs last year. What is your assessment on how you wrestled at WPIALs, and what do you think you learned to apply to this year?
I have to shoot way more instead of trying to be defensive.
Do you like the new points system?
When I heard they were going to make that change, I was kind of surprised because I had been wrestling forever and I was not expecting that at all. At first I didn’t like it, but I’ve come around.
The team is doing very well. Are you guys thinking about the matchup with Burrell that could decide the section?
We’re taking it one match at a time, but when it finally comes down to our meet against them, we’ll be ready.
What lessons have you learned from playing sports?
You have to be dedicated and grind. If you’re not grinding, you’re not going to get better, and if you’re not dedicated, you’re definitely not going to get better in anything.
Do you have any hobbies?
I play football all the time with my little brother, play cards with my mom and chill with my girlfriend.
What are your plans after high school?
If I don’t end up going to college and playing football, I’m probably going to go into the Army.
What’s one piece of advice you’d want to leave your teammates?
Continue to do well in school and do what you enjoy.
Tags: Highlands
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