Allen excited for chance to wrestle at Hannibal-LaGrange

By Andy Brown
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Updated: March 29, 2018

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Louisburg senior Kyle Allen recently signed his letter of intent to wrestle for Hannibal-LaGrange University, an NAIA program based in Hannibal, Mo. Allen finished with a 24-18 record this season at 126 pounds and qualified for state in 2017.

When Kyle Allen walked into the wrestling room at Hannibal-LaGrange University – it felt like home to him.

Allen had always wanted to compete in athletics at the college level and Hannibal-LaGrange wanted to give him the opportunity to make his dream come true.

He didn’t take long to give them an answer.

After verbally committing to the Trojans earlier in the year, Allen made it official on March 15 in front of family and friends at Louisburg High School when he signed his letter of intent to wrestle for the NAIA program.

“I am definitely excited to have this opportunity,” Allen said. “When I took my visit to Hannibal, I went into the wrestling room and they all just welcomed me with open arms. The coaches were great and all of the guys on the team were great as well and that is something that I wanted to be a part of. To have an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level is really is exciting and I am looking forward to it.”

Allen wrestled all four years for the Louisburg program and racked up several wins in the process. He was a state qualifier in 2017 and holds a Wildcat record with all-time career escapes with 85.

On March 15, LHS senior Kyle Allen signed to wrestle at Hannibal-LaGrange. Seated next to Kyle are his parents Kiersten and Ken Allen. Standing (from left) is Hannibal coach Scott Hawes, Louisburg head coach Bobby Bovaird and LHS assistant Brandon Ott.

This past season, Allen was second on the team in technical falls, third in escapes, third in nearfalls and fifth in takedowns.

“I believe Kyle has the mindset to work at getting better every day,” Hannibal-LaGrange coach Scott Hawes said. “I’m excited about having Kyle as part of our wrestling family, and I can’t wait to see how he improves as a wrestler throughout his college career.”

Allen, who wrestled at 126 pounds for the Wildcats this season, will wrestle in the 125-pound class in college and the Louisburg senior is looking forward to the challenge of going up against veteran wrestlers.

“Yeah, I want to go down there and have fun and enjoy my time there, but I don’t want to just wrestle, I want to be able to go down there and compete,” Allen said. “I am not satisfied with just making it this far. I want to improve every year and go down there and help them win some matches. I know that it is going to take a lot of hard work, but I am ready the challenge and we will see where that takes me.”

Wrestling and academics won’t be the only items on Allen’s agenda when he gets to college. He is planning on majoring in music education and plans to join a HLGU choir and possibly participate in a musical.

“Kyle is a well-rounded individual,” Hawes said. “He has excelled in music competition and has received several awards. He has also competed in track, football and soccer, including a three-time conference placer and state qualifier in wrestling. I have been impressed with Kyle’s work ethic and desire to improve. Kyle’s coaches commented that he has excellent character. This will contribute to his future development as a wrestler.”