Goshen’s rising wrestling standout, seventh-grader Kolton Demers, continued his impressive spring season by earning a 3rd place finish at the Mid Atlantic Wrestling Association North Regional Tournament in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. With his podium finish, Demers has officially qualified for the MAWA Eastern Nationals, set to take place at the Wicomico Civic Center on May 1st-3rd in Salisbury, Maryland.
Demers’ performance is the latest milestone in what has quickly become a breakout couple of months for the young wrestler. Back in March, Kolton placed 4th at the NYWAY State Championships—that accomplishment and the visible upgrade in both his toughness and technique signaled a major turning point in his development.
Kolton’s journey in wrestling has been anything but easy. Like most athletes in the sport, his early years were filled with challenges—losses, frustration, and the difficult lessons that come with competing at a young age. But what has separated Demers has been his ability to push through those moments and continue to grow.
This season, the Goshen coaching staff made a rare decision—bringing a 7th grader into the high school program. It was a move designed not for comfort, but for growth. Competing in that environment presented daily challenges, forcing Demers to elevate his toughness, discipline, and mindset.
The results are now beginning to show.
“Kids turn corners all the time in this sport,” said Goshen Head Coach Jarrad Vrydaghs. “but Kolton didn’t just turn the corner—he maneuvered it like a Formula 1 driver.”
Demers’ rapid development has not gone unnoticed. In late March, he was recognized at the Goshen Wrestling Banquet as the program’s Promising Newcomer Award recipient—an honor that reflects both his perseverance and his potential. Past recipients of this award include 2023 Goshen Grad, Jackson Brady (112 career wins, State Qualifier, Current Wilkes University Academic All-American wrestler) and 2026 Section Champion Gregory Schaefer who closed out his career 4th all-time in school history with 122 career wins.
Now, with a regional medal and an Eastern National tournament berth secured, Kolton Demers is proving that his early struggles have laid the foundation for something much bigger.
And for Goshen Wrestling, it’s clear—
This is just the beginning.
