Michael Smith
Liberty senior Easton Hilton admitted that it was his goal coming into high school to be a four-time state champion.
He got off to a good start when he won the 106-pound weight class at the Class 4 Missouri High School State Wrestling Championships in 2019. But as he went up in weight the next season to 113, the competition got hard.
Hilton finished fourth at state at 113 and was third last season at 126. While the senior won’t accomplish his goal of being a four-time state champion, he did achieve something else that’s just as impressive.
He announced on Twitter that he committed to the University of Missouri Wrestling program on Oct. 13, a team that’s ranked No. 3 in the nation at the NCAA Division I level. He chose the Tigers over St. Cloud State, North Dakota State and Lindenwood University.
The senior has had a successful high school career through three seasons, helping the Blue Jays win two state championships and compiling a 125-13 record. MissouriWrestling.com spoke with Hilton about his commitment to Mizzou and his upcoming high school season.
Q: What are your thoughts on your high school career up to this point?
Hilton: “I walked into high school just like any eighth grader does and I was hoping to be a four-time state champ. I didn’t live up to that, but it’s more about the journey and how those losses affected me and they have made me a completely different person. They made me a better wrestler, student and everything. They humbled me.”
Q: Were you happy with the way your junior season went?
Hilton: “It was a good season. COVID kind of affected our season and our schedule. We didn’t get to go to the big stuff we normally get to go to. I wrestled a tough opponent in the semis (Columbia Rock Bridge’s Carter McAllister). He’s actually going to be my teammate at Mizzou.”
Q: You are moving up two weight classes this year from 126 to 138. Do you think that will help you or will it be more challenging?
Hilton: “I think going up to 138 will be a huge advantage for me personally, because I have spent a lot of time in the weight room over the summer getting stronger. I am not cutting as much weight as I was last year. Mentally, it helps me, too.”
Q: What aspect of your wrestling have you been working on the most in the offseason?
Hilton: “My hand fighting needs to pick up drastically. The little guys hand fight, but once you get into the bigger weights, it’s not the same. You have to hand fight to set up shots. It makes a huge difference. I also worked on finishing my shots. Once you get to the legs, you need to finish.”
Q: How much has it helped you with your wrestling to go up against elite talent all winter during practice on a stacked Liberty team?
Hilton: “It’s awesome to have a variety of partners. Some wrestling rooms have one partner at your weight, which is good. But I have a variety of guys I can go against, even the little guys like Christopher Coates and Hunter Taylor and Cooper Rider. Then we got out bigger guys like Logan Rathjen and Kyle Dutton, who is nationally ranked.
“Then we have an incoming freshman in Peyton Westphal. I have so many great partners. It’s helped me a lot.”
Q: What do you think it will take to get your second state championship this season?
Hilton: “I think I am the best kid in the state at 138. I think that it’s just a matter of staying focused throughout the season. I know a lot of guys who by the end of it, they are burnt out and they are ready for it to be over. So it’s just a matter of staying focused and knowing what my goals are.”
Q: What are your thoughts on signing with Mizzou?
Hilton: “It’s going to be fun. Looking at Mizzou compared to the other schools I was talking to, it was the closest and it helps a lot that it’s close to family and close to home. It’s one of the best programs in the country. There are a lot of guys I know that have committed there like Carter McAllister, Owen Uhls, Peyton Moore, and those guys are going to be great partners.
“Missouri has a great atmosphere. They call it Tiger Style, just keeping focused and being ready. Another thing I like about it is that Korbin Shepherd goes there. I grew up with him. We wrestled for the same youth team.”
Q: What do you want to accomplish at Mizzou?
Hilton: “Getting a few All-American honors under my belt would be amazing, maybe even a National Championship.”
