By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports writer
Campbell County High School wrestler Austin Myers has the image of a lion’s head tattooed on the left side of his chest with the long mane flowing across his shoulder.
The curly-haired senior said he got the tattoo because lions are considered the indomitable kings of the jungle. He’s earned a similar reputation on the wrestling mat during his high school career.
Myers has compiled a perfect 162-0 record in varsity matches and claimed three consecutive state titles in the 220-pound weight class. If he finishes the current season without a loss, he’ll become Kentucky’s first undefeated four-time state champion in the sport.
“He’s just an exceptional physical specimen,” said Campbell County coach Mike Bankemper. “He’s got great balance, he’s explosive, he’s quick and his technique is excellent.”
Myers has also achieved success on the national level. Each spring, high school wrestling champions from across the country compete in four grade levels at a national tournament. Myers won the 220-pound title when as a freshman and sophomore and placed second as a junior.
That’s why he’s currently No. 2 in his weight class in the InterMat website national high school rankings. He has also been listed among the top seniors in the country.
This season, Myers has a 36-0 record with 28 pins in high school matches. Last weekend, he won all three of his matches in the Fairfield (Ohio) Invitational on pins in the opening seconds of the first period.
His basic strategy is to use his quickness to take an opponent to the mat and press his advantage from there. He’ll often let an opponent out of a hold so they’ll get back on their feet and he’ll be able to shoot a move for a takedown once again.
“I’m probably better on my feet because I’m a lot quicker than everybody I wrestle,” Myers said. “Most big guys can’t really move as fast as me so I’m able to take them down a lot faster. I shoot a lot more than any big guy usually does.”
In state tournament matches over the last three years, Myers has pinned nine of his 15 opponents. Last year, he had four pins with each one coming in 33 seconds or less.
“A lot of kids get to a point where they’re good and don’t get better because they’re afraid of losing,” coach Bankemper said. “Austin has never gotten to that point. He’ll take a risk even if he gets down by a few points by making a mistake. He’ll still get after you from the get-go.”
During the summer, Myers competes in different styles of wrestling to keep improving his skills. At last year’s USA Wrestling national tournament, he placed third in Freestyle and sixth in Greco-Roman in his age group weight class.
Wrestling coaches at several NCAA Division I colleges were recruiting Myers after watching him in that national tournament. He was so impressed with University of West Virginia coach Sammie Henson and his staff that he accepted their scholarship offer without even visiting the campus.
“I had a lot of coaches trying to recruit me, but I liked them,” Myers said. “They’ve got all new coaches at West Virginia and those coaches are really good.”
So the only thing on the senior’s mind now is finishing this season without a blemish on his high school record. It’s a pursuit for perfection that he needs to do on his own.
“I’ve been wrestling since I was six years old so I’m kind of used to that,” he said. “It’s better than most sports because you don’t have to rely on anybody else. I know if I put in the work I’ll be able to do it.”
Terry Boehmker, NKyTribune sports writer, is former sportswriter and editor for The Kentucky Post. He is an award-winning writer with extensive background in both print and digital. Reach him at terryboe@yahoo.com.