Hixon putting Knoch wrestling on map
JEFFERSON TWP — In terms of WPIAL wrestling — even wrestling in his own section — Grayson Hixon is flying under the radar.
But the Knoch senior clearly has become the first face of the Knights wrestling program.
Fluctuating between 125 and 130 pounds, Hixon recently won his 60th career match and is looking to become a four-time WPIAL qualifier this season.
Knoch has had a varsity wrestling team for only four years. Hixon was a freshman on the program's first team.
"To accomplish what he has as part of a new program is extremely difficult in this sport," Knoch coach Mark McLaughlin said.
Hixon never wrestled before seventh grade. In fact, he planned to play basketball.
"I didn't get my physical forms in on time, so I wasn't eligible to play that year," Hixon recalled. "I didn't know what I was going to do. I couldn't imagine not participating in a sport."
Brittany Faust, a classmate and good friend of Hixon, talked him into trying wrestling. Faust went on to become a national champion in women's wrestling earlier this year and is a member of Knoch's team.
Faust and Hixon often wrestle each other during practice.
"That's helped both of us because we push each other," Faust said. "I know I've gotten better from competing against him in the room.
"I was trying to get other kids involved in wrestling because I wanted to see the program grow here. When the basketball thing didn't work out, I knew Grayson could be a great addition."
Hixon never went back to basketball. Instead, he's expanded his wrestling experience to the Pit Bulls, a club in Carnegie for high school wrestlers.
"We had a bunch of injuries at Knoch last year and our numbers were way down," he said. "I knew if I wanted to continue improving as a wrestler, I had to seek more competition.
"Wrestling is a great sport because size doesn't matter. You're always up against somebody in your own weight class. It's up to you whether you succeed or fail."
Hixon plans to wrestle at 119 pounds by the time of the section tournament in February. His goals include winning a section championship, placing in the WPIAL Tournament and getting to the state meet in Hershey.
No Knoch wrestler has ever done any of those things.
"That's the level I want to get to before I'm through here," Hixon said.
McLaughlin said goals are within the grasp of his veteran senior.
"It won't come easy, but he can get there," the coach said. "If he's willing to commit the energy, the time and work ethic it's going to take, Grayson has the ability.
"It's a major commitment, but he's already accomplished so much with so little around him. We're still an infant program."
Hixon admits his road to success hasn't been easy.
"It's tough. When you lack numbers, you lack workout partners," he said. "The intensity of this sport is what drives me."
