Haddonfield’s Klaus says 100th win ‘pretty special’

Circumstances conspired to add significance to Kyle Klaus' 100th career victory in wrestling.

Thanks to a weather cancellation, Klaus entered Friday night's showdown between his No. 3 Haddonfield team and No. 1 Paulsboro with 99 victories.

He registered a pin for win No. 100 and helped the Bulldogs to a dramatic, 33-31 victory over the Red Raiders in a Colonial Conference clash.

Klaus is a two-time District 28 champion and two-time Region 7 runner-up. He has a 19-3 record this season at 112 pounds.

Question: What was it like to get your 100th Friday night against Paulsboro?

Answer: I was pretty lucky it worked out that way. We had one of our matches canceled by the snow, or I would have gotten it earlier in the season. It was pretty special to do it against Paulsboro.

Q: What did that victory mean to Haddonfield?

A: It was something we never felt before. I know it meant a lot to Coach [Pete] DiPol because he went to Paulsboro. Paulsboro had always beaten up on us and to beat them, it wasn't revenge as much as just showing them we could compete with them.

Q: What are your plans for next year?

A: I'm going to Elon University [in Elon, N.C.].

Q: Are you going to wrestle?

A: They don't have a wrestling program. It's just a nice school in a small town. I think I'll really like it there.

Q: Have you thought much about this being your last year of wrestling?

A: I'm not making too much of it right now, but I'm sure when it gets to the end of the season it will really hit me.

Q: You're tall [5-foot-9] for a 112-pounder. Do you have trouble making weight?

A: I did at first, but now it's just second nature to me.

Q: How do you do it?

A: Small portions. I can pretty much eat anything I want just not as much as I want.

Q: What's your favorite food?

A: Sushi.

Q: What's your favorite subject in school?

A: I have a marine science class that's pretty interesting.

Q: What kind of music do you listen to?

A: My favorite genre is hip-hop and rap, and my favorite artist is Lil Wayne.

Q: How would you describe your wrestling style?

A: I've been told I'm a weird wrestler because I use my legs more than other wrestlers. If I had to say one word, I'd say my style is "funky."

Q: What's it be like to be part of Haddonfield's reemergence as one of the top wrestling programs in the state?

A: It's been a big change. I remember my freshman year it was a big deal if we were No. 10 in South Jersey. Now we're ranked in the state, and everybody is gunning for us.