Celebrating Coach K

Carmel’s wrestling coach inducted into the Hall of Fame

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Carmel’s wrestling team hosted the ESCC for the final conference tournament of the season Friday night, but all eyes were on head coach Bob Kuykendall.

Although the team lost the meet, Coach K was celebrated by both current and former players as he was inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame for his 35 years of coaching.

“It’s so cool to see all the people I’ve coached before come back” Kuykendall said. “I’m very honored, it’s something I love to do.”

The team’s pride in their coach shined bright. Senior Bobby Pryhocki says Coach K made him a better all around person.

“For all 4 years he’s taught me how to be a better wrestler and person,” Pryhocki said. “I will always appreciate everything he’s done”

Even though he was the center of all of the attention, Coach K has his eye on the rest of the season and getting ready for the upcoming state championship challenge.

“We’re young, but we have a lot of potential,” Kuykendall said. “We have a lot to work on before regionals.”

But the rest of the crowd were focused on Coach K. A former Carmel athlete, Frank Jaeger, praised the coach.

“He is the definition of a mentor, a role model-someone we can all follow,” Jaeger said. “He’s helped me become the person I am today both on and off the mat.”