CHANUTE, Kan. – Two of the best high school wrestlers in southeast Kansas are taking their careers to the college level, with Chanute’s Trent Clements (NEO) and Brayden Dillow (UALR) signing this week.
TRENT CLEMENTS (NEO)
Clements is going from one local powerhouse to another, joining the Golden Norsemen of NEO.
NEO is a perennial national championship contender under head coach Joe Renfro, claiming national titles in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
“Every interaction I’ve had with coach Renfro has been great,” Clements says, “He has a history of producing All-Americans and National Champions, and winning team titles year after year. Coach Renfro and his staff hold their guys to a higher standard of being good people, and that’s the biggest thing that appeals to me. Of course I want to win, but I want to win with good people around me who do the right things every day.”
“We are extremely excited to have him join us next year, and we are anxiously awaiting his arrival,” Renfro says of Clements, “He fits the mold of what we are after. He’s a good person, a good student-athlete and he has an awesome work ethic. We will add to the foundation he has in place from Chanute. NEO is truly fortunate to have Trent on board. More great things are ahead for him. It’s a great opportunity for both of us.”
Clements qualified for state in all four years of his high school career. He finished as the state runner-up in both his sophomore and senior seasons, while claiming the 106 lb state championship his junior year in 2020.
Now he’ll work to make sure that success continues at the next level.
“I know that college wrestling will be a struggle every day,” Clements says, “I had great partners and coaches in high school who instilled in me both mental toughness and a love for the sport. I think those things have prepared me for anything that life as a college athlete can throw at me.”
BRAYDEN DILLOW (UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK)
Brayden Dillow signed on Wednesday to continue his wrestling career at Arkansas-Little Rock.
“UALR is a new program that is only going to get better,” Dillow says, “Due to the NCAA’s COVID rules, I was unable to meet the coaches in person, but with the help of video meetings and texts, I feel vey confident in joining them at the next level.”
The University of Arkansas-Little Rock announced the addition of its wrestling program in March 2018, and began competing in 2019. UALR wrestling is an associate member of the Pac-12 at the NCAA Division I level.
“It definitely means a lot to be able to wrestle at the Division I level,” Dillow finishes, “My brother and I love watching the conference tournaments and nationals. To be a part of that excitement that we love to watch is exciting.”
Dillow was a 2X state champion for the Blue Comets and head coach Andy Albright.
“Being here at Chanute has offered me so many different resources,” Dillow says, “Coach Albright has always wanted the best for us, even if that means being honest and explaining that we need to pursue challenges with a positive perspective. I think that is a big part of why I feel more prepared for the next level. Being a part of the 2020 state championship team here in Chanute, I really want to be a part of those types of accomplishments at UALR that we’ll earn in the future.”