Wadsworth wrestler Kolten Mellon headed to Air Force Academy

MEDINA — For Wadsworth senior Kolten Mellon, the call to service was stronger than the desire to continue his wrestling career at the collegiate level. Luckily for Mellon, he found the Air Force Academy, where he can do both. Prior to that decision, Mellon was strongly considering not wrestling in college and attending the University of Miami in Oxford. He also had discussions with Kent State and Mercyhurst about wrestling. However, the opportunity to serve his country was too great of a pull, and he'll continue to compete in the sport where he found great success for the Grizzlies. "I've always had a lot of respect for people that go into service," he said. "I knew that was always a possibility of something I'd want to do. I've been super fortunate the way I've grown up, and a lot of that has to do with the people that have fought for our country before me. "I figured since I was blessed with an opportunity, I wanted to give back to the country a little bit." Mellon was a three-time state placer for Wadsworth. He finished fifth at 144 pounds as a senior after being sixth at 138 as a junior and eighth at 126 as a sophomore. The discipline that made Mellon a two-time Suburban League runner-up is something he sees being strengthened by the Air Force Academy. "It's so easy to tell that they hold themselves to a higher standard," he said. "I feel like it's almost infectious out there. If you're going there, you're going to be held to that standard. That's something I want, to be the best version of myself." Under coach Sam Barber, who has spent the last 12 seasons as head coach and has 17 years in the program, the Falcons went 5-8 in duals, saw four wrestlers place at the Big 12 Championships and had Carter Nogle take fifth at the NCAA Division I Tournament in Cleveland to earn All-America status. Mellon is unsure what he wants to study, but is considering law school after graduating from the academy. Whatever Mellon studies, he is confident Air Force is the place to send him in the right direction. "The Air Force Academy is one of the top institutions in the world," he said. "They are really strong in academics. That played a big factor. Colorado Springs is beautiful and the campus is awesome, and it felt like a great fit." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.