MORGANTOWN – The word “offseason” isn’t one University High School athlete Brody Kehler entertains that often.
As a three-sport athlete at UHS playing football in the fall, wrestling in the winter, and running track in the spring, a day off isn’t something Brody grew accustomed to this past year on Baker’s Ridge, his freshman season.
“My freshman year went better than I could’ve asked for,” Brody said. “I didn’t reach every goal I had planned, but I’m hoping I can get them next year. Overall, it was a great year, but there’s always room for improvement.”
Kehler led the UHS rushing attack on the gridiron, amassing 469 of the Hawks’ 673 total rushing yards in 2024 with seven touchdowns in the fall. He also caught 23 passes for 231 yards and three scores.
He then took to the mat with the UHS wrestling team as the 165-pound varsity starter and capped off the season with the individual state championship, along with helping the Hawks capture the team state championship for the second year in a row.
Finally, Kehler concluded his freshman year, qualifying for the state track and field meet in the 100 and 200-meter sprints and helping the UHS boys team lift the state championship in Charleston.
“To an extent, I felt like the year went as planned,” he said. “Football started a little slow, but we learned a lot and grew as a team, and are looking forward to the upcoming season. As for track, it was a solid year, but my goal was to place in all of my events and win the team title, and I accomplished one of those. The wrestling season was special, especially the end of the year. Winning both an individual and team title was the goal.”
While his inaugural season with UHS was full of memorable moments, Brody says a few stood out to him as favorites.
“The very first time I touched the football against Parkersburg South is a moment I won’t ever forget,” he said. “That, and running to celebrate with my brother (Brock) after winning both the wrestling and track titles.”
Initially, one would question how Brody maintains his stamina and drive playing three sports in three different seasons, but he says they all complement each other well.
“I feel like the three sports translate well to each other, and I don’t think I would be where I’m at in any of them without the others,” he said. “It keeps me busy and allows me to stay in the mindset of working hard every day because there’s always something to improve. My mindset is my primary focus in all three sports, and then my speed. All three have ways to improve both of those things in unique ways.”
Despite the success he enjoyed his freshman year, Brody is quick to point out that what’s in the past is in the past.
“This year was great, but I was focused more on seeing how much I could improve rather than focusing on what I did,” he said. “My goals this year are to get better, but more importantly, become a leader for my team in all sports. That wasn’t something I was really asked to do last year, and I’m ready to take that step.”
