Kennett's Gavin Patterson becomes school's first to wrestle at next level

KENNETT – Kennett's Gavin Patterson has committed to continue his wrestling career at Fontbonne University in St. Louis next year. In doing so, Patterson becomes the first Kennett High School student to ever go on to wrestle at the collegiate level.

Patterson qualified to compete in the state tournament in both his freshman year in the 106 weight class, and in his senior year in the 120 weight class.

The “silent leader,” in the words of first-year Kennett wrestling coach Jacob Whittle, has set a model for younger wrestlers throughout his career. According to Whittle, he advanced through the toughest weight class to qualify for state.

“Making it to the state tournament his senior year, his bracket was absolutely stacked,” Whittle said. “With nine wrestlers in his bracket, he was seeded number seven after losing only five matches in the year.”

Kennett's Gavin Patterson hugs assistant coach Jake Barton after qualifying for the state tournament in the Class 2 District 1 Tournament on Feb. 18 in Ste. Genevieve.Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

“He, by far, had the hardest path in the weight class to get to state,” he continued. “He pinned his opponent in the second round, who on paper should have demolished him. He won his second match with a third period pin, freaked us all out, then qualified for state.”

At the state tournament, Patterson had to wrestle the returning state runner-up in the first round, then lost “a really close one” in the second round.

“Sadly, that's how it ended, but we're always happy to be there,” Whittle said. “Plus, he knew he was wrestling at the next level, so he has everything in the world to work toward.”

Patterson was one of the original members of SEMO Youth Wrestling, which helped spearhead the addition of the sport at the high school level.

“In my freshman year, I fell in love with the sport again,” Patterson said. “I've been wrestling since I was like four, took a break and started back freshman year. I didn't really plan on it, but my friends got me back into it.”

Patterson plans to pursue occupational therapy in college, but as for his future in wrestling, he said “I'm just looking forward to the challenge.”

“It's a hard sport, but I know if I work hard I'll get a lot out of it,” Patterson said. “I just go in and wrestle. I don't look at who I'm wrestling, really. One mess up can decide the rest of the match.”

Patterson explained that a friend from Dexter who now wrestles for Fontbonne got him in touch with the coaching staff, and the process went from there. The Fontbonne Griffins wrestling season will kick off in November as Patterson hopes to make an immediate impact as a part of the roster.

He will graduate from Kennett High School next month in the top 30 students of his class.

Kennett's Gavin Patterson (center, seated) and family gather in the Kennett High School library as he commits to Fontbonne University Wednesday, April 19, 2023.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat