Sikeston's Robinson to wrestle at Lindenwood-Belleville

Sikeston's Kenton Robinson recently signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Lindenwood-Belleville University. Front row, from right: Tammy Robinson (mother) and Kenton Robinson; (back row) Sikeston assistant coach Charles Michael, Sikeston head coach Seth Harrell and Sikeston assistant coach Kit Eifert. (Photo by Brent Shipman, Staff)

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- When looking for a college where he could continue his wrestling career Sikeston senior Kenton Robinson spent a lot of time trying to figure out where he would be most comfortable.

After weighing all his options, Robinson decided to join teammate and friend Blake Angle in signing a letter of intent to wrestle at Lindenwood-Belleville University

"It feels good knowing that I'm going somewhere I like and that I have friends there," Robinson said. "Also that me and my best friend Blake is going to the same college.

"We've been together through high school and he basically taught me everything I know. So me and him staying together as a duo is pretty great."

A varsity wrestler for all four years of high school Robinson finished his time as a Bulldogs with 124 career wins and a 47-5 record in his senior season. Earning a spot as a team captain this past season he worked his was to the Class 3 state tournament where he fell in the third round of wrestle backs.

Other achievements include winning the 2012 SEMO Conference championship in the 138-pound division and qualifying for the state tournament in his junior campaign, where he fell in the consolation second round.

"He has an ideal wrestling body," Sikeston head wrestling coach Seth Harrell said of Robinson. "What I mean by that is he simply has a good base on him and has always been extremely strong. His defense is very, very good. That's what has made him pretty successful in high school and he knows when to take advantage of his opponent.

"He kind of controls the match. He dictates the pace of the match and I think that's what worked out to his advantage."

In signing with Lindenwood-Belleville he'll join a program in only it's third year of existence. This past season the Lynx earned 10th-place at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association Championship, which took place in March.

Though he said he also considered Hannibal-LeGrange, Missouri Baptist and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Robinson liked the fact that he was familiar with most of the kids on Lindenwood-Belleville's roster.

"I wrestled several of the guys on the team and I know most of them so that helps a lot," he said. "It just feels like it's the best place for me to go to continue my career."

Robinson plans on majoring in Physical Education with an eye on becoming a teacher and coach in the future.