This last year has been an incredible one for Kai McDonald. It started last January when he won the 8U 61lb division of the Tulsa Nationals. A week later he won his second state title, pinning 4x Iowa state champion Bo Hake in the finals. 3 months later Kai traveled to Reno to compete in the 8U World Championships, where he placed second in the 61lb weight class. Losing in overtime to 7X Oregon state champion Cruz Evans.
Kai’s list of accomplishments in the sport is incredibly impressive, and rivals those of some of the best high school wrestlers in the country. But the thing is Kai is in the 4th grade, and he’s only been wrestling for 3 years.
Kai’s athletic career started as a football player, and after the urging from a teacher, he decided to give wrestling a try. Kai started wrestling in the first grade, and after just a few months on the mat he placed second at Iowa’s AAU Super Peewee State Tournament. The following season, he won his first national title pinning 2 out of 3 opponents at the tough Iron Elite Nationals.
Wrestling is not the only sport, Kai excells in. He is also a state champion in long jump, and even qualified for the 2020 Junior Olympics!
Pictures provided by Pat McDonald
Kai trains at the world renowned Sebolt Wrestling Academy, under head coach TJ Sebolt in Jefferson Iowa. SWA has a solid reputation for producing championship caliber wrestlers. The team just recently captured their 9th straight USA State Team Title!
Pictures provided by Pat McDonald
Last weekend Kai, participated in the tough 2022 Iowa/USA State Championship in the 12U 67lb weight class. After pinning his first 3 opponents, Kai reached the finals across from one of Iowa’s most elite youth wrestlers 5x state champion Ty Martin. Kai used take downs in all three periods to dominate his older more experienced opponent. Winning his 4th state title in dominating fashion. It’s this level of dominance that makes Kai McDonald the Iowa Matmen’s Wrestler Of The Week.
More about Kai
How many state titles have you won over the length of your career? 4
How long have you wrestled? Since first grade.
Favorite food? Crawfish.
Plan to wrestle in College? Yes at Penn State.
Year in high school? 4th
Favorite Athlete? Bo Nickal
Who inspires you? My Dad and Grandpa always push me to be my best.
Favorite Coach? TJ Sebolt, He is Intense, and helps make me a better person. He has taught me to be a gentleman off the mat and a terror on the mat.
Most significant wrestling moment? Beating Jack Stonebraker, Jack was the World of Wrestling wrestler of the year in 2020.
Goals? I have several wrestling related goals, I want to win Iowa AAU state every year and never lose to an Iowa opponent again. After high school I want to wrestle D1 at Penn State and win a national championship.
What inspired you to start wrestling? My teacher said wrestling would be a good way to stay in shape for football.
Record this season? 55-3