Upper St. Clair grappler has the right stuff
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Tom Kyle works on his pinning moves during wrestling action this season against Mt. Lebanon. The Upper St. Clair senior recently joined the Century Club, recording his 100th career win with a 7-0 decision against Nate McDonald from Butler.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Tom Kyle
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Tom Kyle works on his moves during recent wrestling action.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Tom Kyle
If it’s true that the military is looking for a few good men, then it’s got to take Tom Kyle of Upper St. Clair, opines Jim Render.
“Tommy Kyle epitomizes loyalty, discipline, dependability, team work and hard work,” continued the football coach of four decades. “He’s why we were able to be successful in football and why he’s been able to win all those wrestling matches.”
While the gridiron Panthers relied upon Kyle to intercept a pass against West Allegheny that assured them of the conference championship, the mat Panthers have depended upon him for more than 100 victories. In fact, he joined the Century Club when he defeated Nate McDonald, 7-0, in a dual meet on Feb. 9 against Butler.
“It’s satisfying to see all the hard work you put into something culminate into such an achievement,” he said. “But it’s not just about me. It’s about the support I have received from my parents, coaches and teammates, especially my practice partners who battle and make me better. It’s nice to see it all come together.”
The 100th triumph came together quickly as Kyle wasted no time setting the pace. He opened with a takedown and stretched his lead to 5-0 by the end of the second period.
“There were no extra nerves because I always get pretty nervous before a match,” Kyle said. “So I decided to set the tone early and it ended up pretty cool.”
His brother, Dan, however teased him as nobody would have known it was Kyle’s 100th or first victory. Kyle does not exhibit emotion on the mat the way his younger sibling does.
“After any win, even a big win, I try and restrain myself. It’s something that I’ve always done. I guess it’s out of respect for my opponent or maybe because I’m too tired,” he rationalized.
It’s more likely out of respect.
“Tom does the right thing all the time, every day,” said Render. “You never worry about him. You ask something of him and you’ll get it.”
Render went on to equate Kyle with Dallas Cowboys’ linebacker Sean Lee as a person.
“When Sean was coming out of college and the pros asked me what I thought about him,” Render began. “I said that you would never read about him in the newspaper getting arrested for DUI, abusing women or causing problems for the franchise. Tommy Kyle is the same way. He’s not going to be part of the problem. He’s always part of the solution.”
Since he entered high school, Kyle has been a problem solver and not just athletically. Academically, he maintains a 4.875 GPA and belongs to the National Honor Society. He is involved in Natural Helpers and Junior Mentoring but is proudest of his involvement in the Cereal Club.
“If I’m buying, it’s a good time,” he said jokingly because he always chomps down Cinnamon Toast Crunch. But the Cereal Club is serious business as it helps students assimilate into high school. “If they are struggling to find something to do or find themselves, we try to help,” Kyle said.
On his path to success, Kyle acknowledges that he has always had help and thus wished to give back.
His parents, Maureen and David, provided the initial support and his grandparents, John and Georgianne Hall as well as Robert Kyle and Grace Kyle, provided the inspiration.
His father, who wrestled and played football at Keystone Oaks High School, served as his first coach. He started playing football in first grade and became a cornerback like his father.
Robert Kyle has inspired his grandson to reach for the next level. He flew fighter jets in the Marine Corps. At 80, he resides in Tampa, having retired as a major in the international guard. Because of his grandfather, Kyle aspires to be a Top Gun.
Kyle has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He is still awaiting word on his application to the Naval Academy. He plans to major in aerospace engineering with the hopes of one day becoming an astronaut.
“That’s the lofty goal. As a little kid, I’ve dreamed of becoming an astronaut and the idea has never left me,” Kyle admitted. “I definitely want to attend an academy and fly airplanes. That’s the main goal.”
Kyle’s primary goal this week is to win a section title. The Section 2 tournament will be held Feb. 24 at Connellsville. Top finishers advance to the WPIAL Class AAA championships set for March 2-3 at Canon-McMillan. The top four placewinners then move on to the PIAA championships to be held March 8-10 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Kyle enters action this week as a defending section champion. The 138-pound grappler has yet to advance out of the district tournament. He finished 1-2 last winter.
“The first goal is to make it to WPIALs and next to go to states,” Kyle said. “That’s always been a goal of mine but it will be difficult for sure. The weight class has some studs up top. It’s turned into a solid, deep weight class of capable wrestlers who all can beat each other on any given day.
“When it matters, though, I hope it’s me,” he added.
USC wrestling coach Joshua Mollica shares Kyle’s hope. He expects Kyle to make it to the state tournament.
“Tom has worked extremely hard this year and I truly believe he has a shot if he wants it,” Mollica said. “We will most certainly take it step by step. I preach to the kids about advancing each week. Sometimes the goal of first doesn’t happen but it’s all about making sure you move on to the next week and once you get to states then anything can happen.”
All that has happened for Kyle has not been left to chance. Mollica says Kyle has pushed himself to achieve.
“Tom is the type of kid every coach dreams of. He comes in every day business-like and always works hard. He pushes others and never complains about a single thing. And, he is a leader.”
Mollica noted that in his two years as USC mat boss, Kyle has gotten better every single day. Plus, he is the guy in the line-up the Panthers could count on to get the win or bonus points when needed.
“He is just a great kid who is going to do great things when his time at USC is over. He has a bright future ahead of him. The sky’s the limit.”
Who is he: Upper St. Clair senior who scored his 100th career wrestling win.
Age: 18
Birthdate: Dec. 10
Parents: Maureeen and David
Siblings: Erin, 23; Dan, 16
Sports: Wrestling, football
Activities & clubs: National Honor Society, Natural Helpers, Junior Mentoring, Cereal Club.
GPA: 4.875
College choices: Appointment to the U.S. Air Force or Naval Academy.
Major: Aerospace engineering.
Color: Blue
Food: Pancakes
Restaurant: Bob’s Diner. “I love the food there.”
Book: Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven
Dream Destination: Fiji. “I love golf and my brother and I play this Tiger Woods game and it has all these nice courses, especially the one on Fiji.”
Hero: John Hall. “My pap raised 8 children in a two-bedroom home and the they are all still close knit today. I’m fortunate to call them my family because they are a great example of how to live.”
Athlete: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. “Because he’s not only good but very respectful on and off the field.”
Favorite Winter Olympic sport? Snowboarding. “I like to snowboard so I definitely can appreciate how good those guys are, especially Red Gerard, the 17-year-old who won the gold medal
People might be surprised to know this about you? “I love to build and fly remote control airplanes.”
Who you would like to have dinner with? John F. Kennedy. “He was an interesting guy with a decorated military background. Overall, he was a good president, who had to deal with a lot of things like the Cuban Missile Crisis. Also, he was Irish Catholic and so am I.”
What has sport taught you that will help you in life? Mental toughness and the ability to keep my mind straight in any situation, whether it’s in the classroom or on the field.