Moore named 2025 Louisburg Sports Zone Male Athlete of the Year

For Ashton Moore, life on the football field and on the wrestling mat was a good one in his final campaign at Louisburg High School.

Whether it was all-league or all-state honors, postseason football awards or selections to all-star matches, Moore had a long list of accomplishments during his senior season. 

As memorable as those things were, he found himself more focused on other things. He was a team captain for both the football and wrestling teams and wanted to be leader to those around him. 

That turned into on-the-field success as he finished his football career as one of the top players to come through the Wildcat program and earned scholarship to join the Kansas State football program.

Moore experienced that same type of success in the wrestling arena where he was one victory away from winning a state championship. It is those reasons, among others, that Moore was voted as the 2025 Louisburg Sports Zone Male Athlete of the Year. 

The award was given based on a vote by Louisburg High School coaches as Moore was recognized for his achievements with the football and wrestling programs.

“It means so much to me to be named Athlete of the Year,” Moore said. “We have a lot of great athletes, so to be considered one of the best means a lot to me.”

On the football field, Moore was a first-team All-Frontier League selection on both sides of the ball and earned first team All-State honors as the team’s starting linebacker.

Moore was a first team all-league running back as he led the way with 611 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns. He also had 14 catches for 132 yards and another touchdown to amass 750 yards of total offense, despite only playing defense for the first few games of the season.

He was also named a first team all-league linebacker as the K-State commit led the Wildcats with 80 tackles on the season and had 6.5 tackles for loss. 

Moore also became the program’s all-time leading tackler with 324 stops, surpassing Garrett Griffin’s mark of 274 that ended with the 2011 season.

He also received the Bobby Bell Award, which is given to the best small-class defensive lineman/linebacker in the Kansas City metro area, along with being selected to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl.

“Ashton is very deserving of being named athlete of the year based on how he has impacted both the wrestling and football programs this past year,” Louisburg football coach Drew Harding said, “For the football team, Ashton was the leader of our team and always set a positive example for his fellow teammates to follow. He always carried himself the right way and was always representing himself and Louisburg in a positive light. 

“He had just a phenomenal year for the football team. He battled through a hamstring injury all year that very easily could have made him sit out. Ashton finished his career as the all team leading tackler in Louisburg history as well as being a key factor in our offense being successful. He was a tremendous part of our team’s success over the past few years and we are extremely excited to see him continue to represent Louisburg while playing at K-State.”

On the wrestling mat, Moore cemented himself as the one of the program’s best wrestlers. At 215 pounds, Moore advanced to the state title match and finished as the Class 4A state runner-up.

He finished his season with a 41-3 record and ended his Wildcat career as a 2-time state medalist and a 4-time state qualifier. Moore was a team captain the last two seasons and was selected to participate in the Metro Classic. He also did work in the classroom as a 3-time academic all-state recipient.

However, it was more than just his talent on the mat that made Moore stand out among the rest. 

“Ashton’s accomplishments on the wrestling mat speak for themselves,” former Louisburg wrestling coach Bobby Bovaird said. “He’s one of the most decorated wrestlers in school history. But what truly sets him apart is his heart as a leader. He mentored younger and less experienced teammates with compassion and humility, and he made every kid, regardless of sport or ability, feel seen and valued. 

“Ashton didn’t just lead by performance — he led with integrity, inclusion, and relentless work ethic. That’s why he’s not just our athlete of the year — he’s our standard.”

Representing Louisburg has been a privilege for Moore and one that he will remember for a long time.

“I loved every second of playing sports in Louisburg,” Moore said. “From a very young age I was at almost every Louisburg sporting event watching my cousins or siblings play. Making it to high school and getting to be the one playing was such an amazing feeling. There’s something very special about playing for Louisburg and being able to feel the support of the whole community. I know there’s not many other places like that.”

Moore, who was a 3-sports athlete his first three years of high school, decided to just do two his final year to focus on resting and healing up for the start of his college football career. 

However, playing multiple sports throughout his high school career was something that led to all his successes. 

“Playing multiple sports was very important to me,” Moore said. “Football was always my main sport, but I wouldn’t have been the player I am without the other sports I’ve played. I would say out of all the sports I played, wrestling helped me with football the most. Not just physically, but it made me much more mentally tough. 

“I think every athlete should play as many sports as they can in high school. It will not only develop you into a better athlete, but also give you so many great memories you’ll have forever. There aren’t many schools where you have the opportunity to be a part of multiple sports teams like you do in Louisburg. It’s a very special thing and you should take full advantage of it.”

Previous winners:

2018: Austin Moore

2019: Blue Caplinger

2020: Garrett Rolofson

2021: Weston Guetterman

2022: Tom Koontz

2023: Mason Dobbins

2024: Declan Battle