Life, on and off the mat

The Newcastle Dogie’s last state wrestling champion, Kale Corley, is finally ready to hang up his singlet after nearly two decades of practice and countless hours of sweat he put into a wrestling career that culminated at the college level.

He first picked up the sport at the ripe age of 4, after his dad had introduced him to the mat. Corley participated in a range of activities during his time as a Dogie, but wrestling is what stuck.

“I just loved the fact that it was me versus one other guy,” he said. “I couldn’t blame it on anyone else; my success solely depended on me.”

Corley graduated from Newcastle High School in 2021, and decided to take his skills to the collegiate level. He committed to Dickinson State University in North Dakota to continue his academic and athletic career, and as a two-time 3A Wyoming state champion, Corley was a promising prospect for the Bluehawks.

Corley explained that he decided that he thought he could make it in college, and his high school coach, Lee McCoy, saw the same promise and felt the possibility existed for Corley to succeed at the next level.

McCoy, who also won a state championship for the Dogies when he attended Newcastle High School, explained that a lot of wrestlers lose their drive for the sport once they hit college. He wanted to believe that Corley would stick with it.

“I wanted him to have the same impact on their team as he had on our team,” he said. “In my 30 years of coaching, Kale Corley is at the top of my list for work ethic and leadership.”

He said that when Corley came to him as a freshman, he acted like a senior – the first one to arrive and the last one to leave the mat.

“He has a lot of those qualities that we as coaches look for,” he explained.

Corley attributed many of his life skills to his experience from wrestling.

“It has really taught me a good work ethic,” Corley said. “How to win, how to lose, and do both the right way.”

According to his coaches, he has brought that attitude to bear on his life, on and off the mat.

Corley was an inspiration in high school to his teammates — whether it was helping others get better or lifting them up after a rough match or practice.

“He knew he had a bigger responsibility on the wrestling team than just his own success,” McCoy said.

After winning a state championship his freshman year, Corley helped introduce a new mind-set to the team. McCoy explained that the young grappler inspired the team to be more team-minded and goal-oriented.

“[That] was huge for our program, and building that culture of not having to wait to be an upperclassman to be successful,” McCoy said.

That energy is what ultimately landed Corley a spot with the Bluehawks.

Justin Schlecht, head wrestling coach for DSU, said that the coaching staff spotted film on Corley and saw a “winning kid.” After speaking with a network of coaches and alumni, DSU coaches were convinced. Schlecht said they heard a lot about how great a kid Corley was.

“He is coach-able,” he said. “He fits the mold for all of the things we work for.”

Corley said that, while visiting DSU, he felt really welcomed.

“It felt like home,” he said.

He explained that the team received him well, and that there were a lot of really talented coaches in the room. Corley became excited to start his next chapter.

He admitted that college wrestling was a “whole different animal.” He said that the sport was more physical, and he was surrounded by a lot more talented wrestlers.

“Everyone in the room had a state championship title next to their name,” he said.

Corley overcame those obstacles and worked his way to an impressive award during his senior season when he was named an NAIA Scholar All-American. He was also a three-time regional team member for the Bluehawks.

Schlecht said that Corley created a great environment for the other guys on the team, primarily because of his willingness to lead by example. Corley helped his teammates, and his own wrestling skills also greatly improved during his time as a Bluehawk, he said.

“He came in with a great skill set, but the improvement was tenfold,” Schlecht said.

Whether those improvements were in match management or simply involved an improved mind-set, Corley showed advancement throughout his collegiate career.

Corley’s coaches understand that his life extends beyond the mat. Coach Schlecht explained that “[Corley] has a lot of gratitude for the sport, but it is not the only thing about [him].”

“He has a bright future ahead of him, and we are excited for that,” he said.

Corley’s high school coach agrees that a bright future is in store for his former champion. McCoy has known Corley since he was in elementary school and has watched him grow as a wrestler and a person. He has no doubt that Corley will continue to make an impact on those around him.

“I’ve always felt I am a better person and a better coach for having Kale on my team,” he said. “He helped me as much as I helped him.”