North DeSoto’s Dalton Compton Enjoys Early Success at State Wrestling Championships

by Madison Ruston // GeauxPreps.com Contributor

The North DeSoto wrestling team enjoyed a record-breaking year this season.

A dozen kids advanced into the regional finals with eight earning championship honors. At the state tournament in Bossier City, 13 kids participated with seven finalists and two champions. 

Head coach Dustin Burton believes all their success came from the team meshing well together as one this year. 

“The team came together this year. Everyone was on the same page. We had JV guys training just as hard as the varsity guys and it showed in their tournaments. I was extremely proud of the commitments the boys gave and their ability to come together as a team.” Burton said. 

“I believe we were able to accomplish these things because of the comradery, dedication, and like-minded goals that everyone had this year. We simply held each other accountable every day with a positive attitude,” said Burton.

One of those state champions was freshman Dalton Compton. Not only was he a freshman, but it was his first year being at North DeSoto. He said he felt more than welcome, stepping into his new team. 

“Wrestling is my life and the team welcomed me with open arms. I really enjoy North DeSoto it makes me feel like I’m home,” Compton said. 

Coach Burton said he knew early on, Compton had a chance to accomplish big things at a young age. 

“Everyone was on the same page. We had JV guys training just as hard as the varsity guys and it showed in their tournaments. I was extremely proud of the commitments the boys gave and their ability to come together as a team. It was a record-breaking year for us. We put 12 kids in the regional finals with 8 champions. Then we stepped it up at the state championships and placed 13 kids with 7 finalists and 2 champions. I believe we were able to accomplish these things because of the comradery, dedication, and like-minded goals that everyone had this year. We simply held each other accountable every day with a positive attitude.”

“We knew that Dalton was going to be a contender for a state title at the beginning of the year,” said Burton. “His attitude is always positive toward achieving his goals. He keeps it simple and has fun doing it. He brings a contagious smile to the practice room every day. He is living his best life when he has his wrestling shoes on. What’s most impressive about Dalton is his heart. I’ve watched him hide after a loss while his eyes filled with tears. I saw a passion for our sport that I haven’t seen from a kid in a long time.”

Compton knew all the hours of hard work he put in were going to pay off. He went into his first high school state tournament with a lot of confidence. 

“My mindset going into the tournament was I had nothing to lose. I trained my heart out from even before wrestling season started. No one thought I was gonna win, so my mindset was to prove everyone wrong,” said Compton.“ “I trained harder than ever to get prepared for a type of match like that. I knew from the time I walked in there I was gonna take home that ring.”

It was a very close match that needed to go into overtime to get a winner. Compton knew exactly what he needed to do to get an overtime win and secure a state championship. 

“I knew that he wanted to play the waiting game and I knew I was faster than him, so I used that and as soon as the whistle blew I took my shot,” Compton said. 

With the overtime win, he secured the 145lb state championship as just a freshman. 

“It was the best feeling ever to know that all my hard work paid off and I’m glad I could make my parents, friends, and team proud because without them I wouldn’t be here, so it truly means everything to me,” Compton said. 

As soon as he won, he ran up the stairs to go find his family. As he raced down the stairs, he met his mom, with tears in his eyes, he hugged her tight. 

“I was just so happy that I made my mom and dad proud and showed them how hard I’ve been working for not just my goals, but their goals. They want me to succeed as much as I do and I’m thankful for them being my biggest fans and supporters through it all from the very start.” said Compton. 

Compton also has a little bit of bragging rights in his house now, as he placed higher than both of his older brothers. In the end, he says he just wants all of them to help each other get better. 

“Yeah I do have some bragging rights, but it’s not a competition between me and my brothers. I want them to succeed as much as I do. Those are my closest teammates and without them, I wouldn’t have good training partners and I thank them for that” Compton said. 

Coach Burton said having a freshman win state is great for their wrestling program. 

“Having a freshman state champion in our program is motivating for our youth. We have some really good kids coming up from our club in the next few years.” Burton said. “I believe that kids like Dalton and Jacob Kershaw are great examples of what we are looking for in a high school wrestler at North Desoto. They plan to travel together during the summer to camps and competitions.”

Junior Lake Bates also won state at 160 lbs. With the record-breaking season for North DeSoto, Burton feels the team is just a few steps off from bringing back a team state championship to Stonewall.

“We are excited about next year. We have the plan to improve during the off-season and we will attack it with no pressure. We have the number 1 USA wrestling club in the state and it reloads the high school team every year.” said Burton. “Our goals stay the same next year and we will make the adjustments to get there. I believe when we get a wrestling room or wrestling facility, we will be able to focus a lot more on our training. Until then we will continue to do everything we can and make the most of what we have with a solid attitude.”