LebCo Male Athlete of the Week: Kane Kline (Week Ending January 5, 2024)

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Kane Kline

Kane Kline may only be a freshman competing for the ELCO, but the young wrestler has already accomplished some impressive feats. At the MyHouse Trojan Wars on December 28th & 29th, Kline used the opportunity to announce his arrival, finishing as the runner-up in the 114-pound weight class, joining teammate Kyle Miller as a silver medalist at the prestigious tournament. As a result of the hot start to his varsity career, Kline was voted as the LebCo Male Athlete of the Week.

At the Trojan Wars, a tournament featuring 47 teams from 5 states, Kline battled his way to the finals with a tech fall, two major decisions, and a hard-fought 8-3 win in the semifinals. In the finals, he was matched up against Perkiomen Valley’s Max Tancini, a State medalist each of the last two years. Despite losing 14-0, Kline saw the match as motivation to work harder and to be ready for a future match with Tancini.

While Kline has begun his varsity career going 21-4, his success is not a shock to those who have watched him work since a young age. He now has a clear goal of winning 125 matches on his way to becoming a State Champion. Kline has benefitted in his goal setting by watching his older brother, Brody, take home State medals, including a silver in 2024, while competing for Berks Catholic. Brody is now wrestling for Franklin & Marshall, while the younger brother would like to earn his way onto a Division I roster.

Head coach Matt Fittery, in his first year with ELCO, spoke highly of his freshman: “Kane is hard-working, disciplined, and tough. I love his style of wrestling! He keeps a high pace and is always looking to score points. He listens to everything his coaches tell him, and he puts in a ton of extra work. He has a great personality and is fun to be around as well. His success on the mat is a reflection of these attributes.”

Fittery went on to praise Kline for his most recent match, a loss to Kavin Muyleart, the 8th-ranked wrestler in the State. In the match, Kline moved up a weight class and ultimately lost in a 4-3 decision.

Kline is motivated to help his team, even if it means moving up a weight class, as he proved in the Cedar Cliff match. Not only is this a challenge to himself, but he sees it as fitting in with the team’s goals to help them win. As a team, ELCO is currently 8-1, aided by Kline and a roster full of talented wrestlers.

This team approach subscribed to by Kline has been fostered by the strong support network that surrounds him. He is grateful for his varsity coaches, Fittery and Craig Ziegler, and his private coach, Derek Homan, along with his training partner, Chase Homan. He also knows the work that his parents have put in to support him along the way and push him to be the best version of himself. Above all, he thanks God, as his faith has helped him overcome physical and mental barriers that come with competition and life in general.

With over 20 wins to start his career and the ELCO Raiders in prime position to make Districts, things are going very well for Kline and his teammates. We wish the freshman and the rest of the ELCO wrestlers the best as they battle through the rest of the regular season while working towards podium finishes in the postseason.

Photos provided by Kline & ELCO Athletics

Read about this week’s LebCo Female Athletes of the Week: Lily Harchuska & Maddie Stout

For a full list of this week’s nominees, check out: Athlete of the Week Voting: December 16 – January 5

Previous Winners

Jason Foutz (Week of December 2nd)

Robert Santiago (Week of December 9th)