Owensboro High School senior Noah Kirkman has been named the 2020 Owensboro Times Wrestler of the Year.
Kirkman claimed eighth place in the 120 pound division of the state wrestling tournament to become the first Red Devil to place at state since 1977.
He said it was his goal to finish off the year by medaling at state, but making it happen was still a surprise.
“I was expecting to make some noise and finish on the state podium since this was my last year,” he said. “So being able to actually match the expectations I had for myself was a great and unbelievable feeling.”
Kirkman was undefeated during his junior campaign, but his season ended early with an elbow injury. He entered this postseason with a 28-2 record, then was upset in the region tournament by the No. 4 seed — who went on to place fourth at state.
OHS coach Kenny Stone said Kirkman’s biggest improvement was the ability to score from the bottom position. Stone never doubted Kirkman could win a match.
“Even if he was behind during the match, I had confidence in his ability to score from every position, which he proved time and again,” Stone said. “For me, there were no surprises because I had confidence in Noah’s ability and tenacity, and he proved himself in every match and every day in the practice room.”
A six-year member of the OHS team, Kirkman had a versatile approach on the mat. He was also a leader for the rest of the team.
“He loved to learn and try new moves in the practice room and would execute them during the match, surprising a lot of competitors,” Stone said. “Most wrestlers are good at takedowns or escapes, but Noah mastered them all. And his quiet confidence had a leadership quality that you cannot teach. I believe Noah will make an excellent wrestling coach after his college wrestling career.”
Stone credited Kirkman for the improvement in Andres Quintana — who was the region champion at 113 pounds in only his second year of competition.
Kirkman said watching Quintana win was the biggest highlight of the season aside from his own finish at state.
“It was big for me to watch my practice partner and friend who I got to push everyday in practice accomplish something no one has ever done at Owensboro High School by winning a regional championship,” Kirkman said.
Kirkman plans on wrestling in college and earning a degree in exercise science.
Stone is confident Kirkman will continue to find success in the sport and had plenty of praise for his wrestler. But, Stone said his favorite moment came when Kirkman was off the mat.
“One of the KHSAA officials tracked Noah down after his loss in the 7th-place match to tell him that he had more class and composure than any other wrestler in the entire state tournament,” Stone said. “And that’s what Noah really is: a class act.”
