PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — When Kyle Beal was a freshman at David Douglas, he won a state wrestling title in the 113-pound class. Now he’s a senior and he has his sites set on going out the way he came in — with a state championship belt.
“I was, like, one of the smaller guys when I was a freshman,” he told KOIN 6 News. What he lacks in size he makes up for in tenacious agility and experience.
“He’s so fluent on his feet, he’s very unpredictable with the moves he does,” coach Anthony Weerheim said. “He’s just really dangerous in any position. You never know what’s going to happen next.”
Beal began wrestling when he was about 5 and learned to use his unique size and ability to his advantage on the mat.
His older brother was also a state finalist in wrestling and Kyle said once he hit high school he was able to practice with his brother — and other, more advanced wrestlers — which helped him greatly improve.
“I had practice partners every day, like, and pretty much that’s all you can, like, hope to thank people like your practice partners who are going to make you better, and your coaches,” he said.
He’s moved up 2 weight classes since his freshman year and he has his eyes on the prize.
“I want to win a state title,” Kyle Beal said. “That’s definitely the legacy I want to leave behind. I’d like to get one more. To get 2 state championships is a big thing and I haven’t gotten them the last couple years. I got one my freshman years, so I began on a good note. I need to end on a good note.”