Transferring to West from Choctaw High School in Oklahoma this year, Kaden Stitt ’26 has had a large impact and a successful season in the Trojan singlet. He’s posted a record of 45-9, placing first at the Mississippi Valley Conference Tournament and winning the Ottumwa and Bob Lueders Invitationals. Stitt has wrestled for most of his life and has competed in several national events, such as the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals, coined Fargo, and the Super 32 Challenge. At this competition, he earned the prestigious honor of being a Super 32 All-American.
In Oklahoma, Stitt was a state qualifier as a sophomore and junior, and a state runner-up in 2025. He’s always had high aspirations to be the best; however, his high school was much smaller, and he didn’t have many teammates to practice with in the wrestling room.
“I didn’t have a lot of training partners back home, and I knew if I wanted to get to where I wanted, I had to make a change,” Stitt said.
When looking for places to take his training to the next level, Iowa stood out to him. Big Game Wrestling Club, based in North Liberty, attracts talent from all over the country. Stitt had previously been taking frequent trips to Iowa to train at this club specifically.
“I started coming [to Iowa] three years ago, just during the summer, training with Big Game. And then I started coming up during the school year, a little before the season. I was like, I really like it here. I want to stay. And I ended up staying here,” Stitt said.
Looking at high schools, Stitt wanted a school that would prepare him best for college, along with having a strong wrestling program. He had heard of West’s excellence in both wrestling and education.
“Everybody was telling me that [West is] the best. They have academics. They had a really good team. I knew a lot of the wrestlers already, with Big Game, so I had those connections already here. That’s a big reason why I went here,” Stitt said.
Off the mat, the team has grown close this season. Despite it being Stitt’s first year around these teammates, he immediately felt welcomed and praised the team culture.
“It’s been amazing. I mean, I feel like we’ve really been able to connect with each other. I know some of those guys have known each other since they were in second grade, but I felt really welcomed in and [I’ve] been able to build those relationships in a short amount of time,” Stitt said.
This year’s wrestling team is comprised mainly of underclassmen, with only four of the 13 weight classes in the starting lineup occupied by seniors. Stitt found himself as one of the louder voices on the team, encouraging his teammates to strive for success. Alongside Stitt, another senior leader is Alexander Pierce ’26. Pierce won a state championship his freshman year, and this has created a drive for Stitt to achieve this as well.
“It definitely motivates me to know we have that kind of talent on the team. It really pushes everybody to want to get there, kind of following his lead, because he’s been in that situation. So he knows what it feels like to be on that big stage. I want to be there,” Stitt said.
After a couple of matches adjusting to the new coaching style and opponents, Stitt was able to start winning at a high volume.
“It’s been really good; after winter [break], I really started to get in my groove. Early in the season, I took some losses that I shouldn’t have, but now I feel a lot better with myself. I feel like I can compete with those I lost to,” Stitt said.
However, club wrestling differs from high school wrestling, as the level of competition is heightened. Stitt can distinguish between these levels, as he routinely works alongside decorated wrestlers at Big Game. Despite this, he appreciates the experience he gets.
“It’s a lot more intense. With high school wrestling, you’ll get some of the newer kids who don’t know what they’re doing. With club wrestling and with Big Game, you’ll get high-level talents. We have multiple World Team members in there. There are multiple Fargo champs that I have the opportunity to practice and train with, and it’s a lot more competitive. It’s a grind, for sure, but I really enjoy that environment,” Stitt said.
Besides competing in folkstyle wrestling, Stitt also wrestles Greco-Roman. This style has a much different physicality, as competitors are only allowed to use their upper bodies to attack and score. However, Stitt doesn’t see much difference in these styles or in how he chooses to prepare for them. He believes they are equally challenging, and they both fall under the same sport.
“I treat my folkstyle matches like I treat my freestyle matches. I’m more of a freestyle and Greco person. I like to keep those connected; I don’t try to separate them, as in the different categories. It’s wrestling,” Stitt said. He hopes to continue on the Greco-Roman path, wanting to earn a spot on the U20 team.
Stitt is part of the Trojan wrestling team that qualified for the State Dual Tournament for the first time since 2014, and is ranked in the top ten in the state. Individually, he wants to do something he hasn’t accomplished yet: win a state title, which he looks to do at the state tournament Feb. 18-21.
