Kokomo Athletics

The Kokomo Wildkats turned in an outstanding performance at the NCC Championships, finishing second overall behind Lafayette Jefferson in a hard-fought race for the conference title. The Wildcats showed depth across the lineup and battled through a long day of competition, earning multiple finalists and podium finishes. The team effort reflected both experience and grit as Kokomo proved once again it belongs among the top programs in the conference. Leading the way were three conference champions for the Wildkats. Dorian Barbour continued his dominant season with a first-place finish, setting the tone early and wrestling with confidence throughout the tournament. Christien Damewood and David Nieto also captured NCC titles, each navigating tough brackets and coming through in key moments to bring home gold for Kokomo. Kokomo added valuable points with several strong runner-up finishes. Josh Sawyer-May, Shaun Rodgers, Devon Rush, and Sebastion Klueh all finished second in their respective weight classes, each reaching the finals and battling to the very end. Their performances were critical in keeping the Wildkats in contention for the conference crown and demonstrated the team’s ability to compete at a high level across multiple weights. The Wildkats also saw solid contributions from their third- and fourth-place finishers. Waylon Mossholder and Jacob Hodges earned third-place finishes, while Treydon Walker and Rylan Berry both placed fourth. Stacy Rund added another podium spot with a third-place finish, and Cameron Byrd chipped in with a fifth-place showing, rounding out a balanced scoring effort for Kokomo. Overall, the Wildkats’ second-place finish at the NCC Championships is a strong statement as the postseason continues. With champions at the top, multiple finalists, and depth throughout the lineup, Kokomo showed it can challenge anyone in the conference. Falling just short of Lafayette Jefferson only adds fuel moving forward, as the Wildkats look to build on this momentum in the weeks ahead.