On Friday, EHS Senior Kyle Sommer received Sport Michiana’s Troy Letcher Heath Market Athlete of the Week. The award was presented during the Boys’ Basketball Sectional Semi-finals at North Side Gym. No one deserved it more.
This student-athlete earned a solo spot for Elkhart High School at the Feb. 20 State Wrestling Championship. This, of course, follows his Semi-State win, where Sommer placed 4th advancing to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the IHSAA wrestling finals. Sommer’s wrestling career ended in the first round down in Indianapolis, getting pinned in the second period–ending his senior season with an impressive 35-5 record. It also brings to an end all foreseeable sports competitions in Sommer’s life. Despite his apparent athleticism, Sommer will shift his focus entirely toward his academics in the fall, with plans of attending Indiana University on the Pre-Kelley School of Business track, hoping to become a leader in the business industry at some future point.
For Sommer, being a leader has required more than mere discipline. He explains. “Being a leader, for me, is also just being a friend, understanding that [those on your team] are just like you.” As anyone could imagine, wrestling is a very physically daunting sport that requires mental stability, as well. There is no time for “head games” on the mat once the whistle blasts. Despite being assessed on individual performances, however, wrestling tabulates that into a team score, as well. Thus, Sommer emphasizes the importance of passing on knowledge–including how to best avoid the types of mistakes he had made in his career–to his younger teammates.
Unlike some states, Indiana wrestling is recognized on a national scale for its elite group of high school athletes. IHSAA wrestling operates with no classes and no wrestle-backs, making it extremely competitive at each meet–and even more challenging to qualify for State, where only 16 of the state’s best in each of the 14 weight classes qualify for the State Finals. To get to this level of competition takes more than luck. In fact, Sommer’s success in his career is the product of years of hard work, training, and dedication–not to mention an excellent coaching staff. “I just would like to thank all of our wrestling staff here at Elkhart,” Sommers begins. “They have helped me improve and be able to achieve my goals.”
While Sommer has clearly made his mark in wrestling, he is also a standout football player at Elkhart High School, being named an All-NIC honorable mention. However, he views his accomplishments in wrestling differently. “What sets wrestling apart from any other sport is the fact that it’s just you and one other person,” he clarifies. “It forces you to hold yourself accountable for your mistakes and losses.” He notes how wrestling has taught him to understand integrity, discipline, and tenacity at every level. “The achievements that have come with my journey are just a bonus to the life lessons I have learned from sports.” Sommer carries those lessons with him into the classroom and on the job, as well–making him not only a model athlete but also a model citizen.
With so much of his life put into athletics, Sommer has made the bittersweet decision to depart from that course as he begins a new chapter in his life. “It’s my time to walk away, focus on my education and my future, but also have some free time to enjoy my college experience.” Yet, his strong leadership skills in both football and wrestling will follow him wherever he goes. Sommer’s ultimate goal is to be a business owner, becoming a leader in a new field. On this turf, Sommer’s competitive drive, hard-working attitude, and being a person of integrity will complement the other requisite skills he learns on the job.
A person with such distinguished accomplishments, limitless goals, and high aspirations will undoubtedly achieve a successful career. Thus, whatever Kyle Sommer chooses to work as hard at as he has done with athletics will prove to be golden.
