Kyle Larson returns to take over Hermiston wrestling program

When Kyle Larson graduated from Hermiston High School in 2003, the Bulldogs’ wrestling program was barely a blip on Oregon’s radar.

Fast forward 12 years, and the Bulldogs are one of the most feared and successful programs in the Northwest, and they also are making waves on the national stage.

Larson, a three-time state champion (2000, 2002-03) who helped Hermiston win its first team state title in 2001, was hired to coach the Bulldogs in November. The fit is like a well-worn sweatshirt — comfortable and familiar.

“I always thought I’d end up back in Hermiston giving back some how,” said Larson, whose team is at Pendleton Thursday for a Columbia River Conference dual against their biggest rival. “Not necessarily being head coach. It’s nice to be back where it all started. I’m learning as I go along.”

Larson, who went on to have a successful career at Oregon State, replaced Shaun Williams, who spent three years with the program before stepping down after last season. Larson was an assistant for Williams last year and applied for the opening. It played in his favor.

Larson takes over a program that has won the past four 5A Oregon state team titles and eight of the past nine. Doug Tovey stayed on as his assistant, and there is wealth of knowledge just a phone call away — former coach Curt Berger, and Larson’s dad, Harry, who was a longtime assistant for Berger.

“I not only think back to what they taught us, but I give Curt a call and ask him for advice,” Larson said. “Any time I have questions or concerns, I give him or Dad a call. I’m proud to be part of the coaching model that Curt and Dad taught us.”

The Hermiston wrestling room is a step back in time. Located on the upper level of the gym, it is warm, the mats are worn and the clocks haven’t told the correct time in years.

Just how Larson likes it.

“I think I like the old style — blood, sweat and tears,” Larson said. “It brings you back.”

And it’s that tradition that has the Bulldogs in the running for another state title this year behind the likes of seniors Sam Colbray and Bob Coleman.

“We have a lot of pride, and we want to continue to build on that and add more banners,” Larson said.

The Bulldogs have proven themselves this season, not only in the Northwest but at the national level. They finished 17th overall at the prestigious The Clash XIV National High School Wrestling Duals in Rochester, Minn., over Christmas break. They won the Oregon Wrestling Classic, the Gut Check Challenge and were second at the Tri-State and the Reser’s Tournament of Champions.

“We have a great group of seniors,” Larson said. “We have an awesome group of kids. They go out and fight hard and do the work in the wrestling room. It was good to go out and wrestle teams from Minnesota and other states. We have shown we can win 5A state titles. Now, we want to do that at a national level.”

After Thursday’s match with Pendleton, the Bulldogs are off until Feb. 19-20, when they travel to Mt. View High School in Bend for the Special District 4 tournament. From there, the top four in each weight class advance to the OSAA state tournament Feb. 26-27 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Kyle Larson returns to take over Hermiston wrestling program."