Atherton hosted a drum line for the first wrestler in the school’s history to win a state title on Monday, March 2nd, during 1st period. Students and staff lined the halls, cheering on Colton Lewis (12) as he walked through the school with his teammates and coaches.
Lewis won the KHSAA Boys Wrestling Championships state title in the 285-pound weight class last Friday, February 27th, at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. He pinned Campbell County’s Brayden Allender in the second round of the championship match, during which he wasn’t even aware of the fact he could potentially make history.
“I actually didn’t know I was the first champion after I won it. They told me a couple minutes after I won it,” said Lewis.
Lewis came to Atherton for the 2025-2026 school year, transferring from Pleasure Ridge Park High School where he played varsity football for three years.
“My sophomore year, they fired all my coaches, and I just didn’t wanna stay there after that, so that’s why I left,” said Lewis.
He played varsity football for Atherton this year. His position was right tackle.
“ [The experience was] pretty good. We actually just won the regional championship a couple months back,” said Lewis.
On the wrestling team, Lewis is known for his teamwork and positive attitude. Josh Franklin (11) is one of Lewis’s wrestling teammates.
“He was a really thoughtful person, he cared about the sport a lot and the team as a whole. He’s really nice when you get to know him,” said Franklin.
Lewis is committed to West Virginia State University for football starting this fall. He’ll be joining Atherton alumni Benen Row (class of ‘25) on the schools division II football program.
Congratulations to Colton Lewis on this historic achievement! He has been nominated by the Courier Journal for Athlete of the Week, so make sure to vote for our champion!
Check out a post-match interview featuring Lewis here (Credit: yahoo sports)
