GLOUCESTER, Va. — Gloucester High School senior Kohlby Wilson set his sights on an incredible goal and will spend the next four years living his dream at the University of Lynchburg. Kohlby is a multi-talented athlete who recently committed to not just one collegiate sport, but two. He shares, “My personal goal throughout my life for soccer was to play in college. I just recently achieved that goal and committed to the University of Lynchburg to play both soccer and volleyball. My new goal is to become a role player on both of those teams.”

While soccer is the sport he has spent the most time participating in, over 15 years, Kohlby discovered just how much he enjoyed trying something new and exploring other ways to develop as an athlete. “Outside of soccer I also play volleyball and run track. Volleyball is one of the most fun sports I have ever played and it is a nice way to take a break from soccer every once and a while. Track is a sport where I have set personal goals for myself and at each meet try for a new personal record,” Kohlby says.

When it comes to his love of his long time sport, Kohlby thrives on both having a competitive spirit and developing friendships with fellow talented players. He says, “I love the competition I have faced over the years. I made friends and played against kids all over the country when I was playing with the Olympic Development Program and I am now seeing the same kids commit to some of the biggest and best schools in the country so I am grateful I was able to become friends with them and play against them as they are some of the best players in the country.”

Keeping his head in the game can sometimes be a personal obstacle, and when those moments hit, Kohlby relies on reminding himself that his years of experience matter. “My biggest challenge is staying mentally focused throughout the entire game or practice or whatever we are doing at the time because it is a mentally challenging sport. To manage this, I remind myself how long I have been playing and that this sport should be second nature to me so staying focused should be easy,” he explains.

In those moments where he has to call on mental strength to stay engaged, it also helps for Kohlby to recall some words of wisdom he has received over the years. He says, “The best advice I was ever given was that soccer is just a sport and that it should be fun. During my last season of travel I was nervous about every single game I played because before every game I would email coaches of teams I was interested in to come and watch. Knowing that coaches were watching made me more nervous than I ever have been playing soccer which is why I had one of my worst travel seasons ever. After the season I realized that the advice I was given plenty of times when I was younger was really true; that soccer is just a sport and I should have been having fun rather than worrying about the coaches that were watching.”

While the focus and perseverance required to be a successful athlete can often feel like a heavy load, Kohlby tries to keep things light with an unintentionally created sweet tradition before games. “One pregame ritual I follow is one that a lot of people tell me is unhealthy. I eat a bag of candy before most of my highschool games. It did not start out as a ritual; I just really like candy so whenever we had a lot of time before our game I would go get some, so now before home games I almost always go get a bag to eat beforehand,” says Kohlby.

Kohlby is not just a gifted athlete, he is committed to his learning and takes pride in the success and accomplishments he has made as a student. He shares, “I take academics very seriously as it is very important to me not only for college but just the fact that it provides a challenge and a lot of learning experiences. I am a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Spanish Honors Society and I was also nominated for American Legion Boys State. These clubs provide me with a reason to work for my community and also another reason to take academics seriously. I am taking as many AP and/or honors classes as possible, this is the reason why I am in the top 5% of my class and I hope to continue working this hard in college, and maintain a high GPA.”

One of Kohlby’s greatest pleasures outside of sports and school is volunteering a week out of every summer at Camp Parc, a camp for special needs children and adults, in Pennsylvania. “Throughout the week we do different activities and games and basically anything that helps our campers feel included since they are often not included in those types of things outside camp. This is why the campers spend their whole year looking forward to the camp and why it is such an impactful thing to me and the campers. My camper last year communicated only through sign language, and I have now taken an interest in learning more about the language and plan to become proficient in it,” describes Kohlby.

Even though it might seem like a primetime to soak up some downtime after juggling all of his commitments all school year, somehow Kohlby manages to squeeze in another priority each summer– having a job which teaches essential hands-on skills that he can continue to use throughout his life. He says, “Over the summer I work for a tree removal company. It is also a very labor intensive job so it keeps me in shape since I do not have many opportunities to play sports during the summer.

Additionally, every chance Kohlby has a free window of opportunity during soccer seasons he also works as a referee. “During the school year, I do not have much time to work due to sports and school which is why I found a job that allows me to work whenever I am available– refereeing soccer games. It’s a great job to have if you know the sport and want flexible hours with great pay,” says Kohlby.

Reflecting on his experience as a team player, Kohlby has learned a life lesson that sets the tone for a successful collegiate career. Kohlby says, “Being a member of a team has taught me that a team is where you will meet some of the friends you will keep for the rest of your life. These are the people that you spend a lot of time with and you also interact differently with teammates than you would with normal friends because you have to tell that exactly how it is sometimes and this lets people see each other as they really are which can lead to some life long friendships.”

Parental Praise

“I have been watching Kohlby on the soccer field since he was four years old. His love for the game grew and grew. Luckily he has been fortunate to have exceptional coaches throughout his entire experience. I think that has made him love it even more. He was determined to play in college, and with his continuous hard work, he made that happen. He’s always been a leader and a great teammate. More than anything I admire his humbleness and the way he encourages his teammates. I am excited to watch him play for another four years.” -Kohlby’s mom, Brooke Wilson

Coach Comments

“In the world of soccer, certain players stand out not only for their exceptional skills but also for their exemplary character. One such player is Kohlby Wilson, whose impact both on and off the field sets a standard for excellence in the sport. On the pitch, Kohlby is a force to
be reckoned with. His technical prowess, strategic thinking, and ability to execute plays with precision make him a key player in any match. Whether scoring decisive goals or making critical defensive plays, Kohlby consistently demonstrates a level of skill that few can match.

Yet, what truly sets Kohlby apart is his character. Humility, sportsmanship, and commitment are traits to describe this young man. One cannot help but admire Kohlby for his dedication to the beautiful game. His influence reaches far beyond the soccer pitch, leaving a positive impact on those around him. In an era where athletes are often scrutinized for their off-field conduct, Kohlby stands as a shining example of what it means to be a true sportsman.

Kohlby is more than just an excellent soccer player; he is a symbol of sportsmanship, leadership, and dedication. As Kohlby’s journey continues at the University of Lynchburg, one can only look forward to witnessing the continued impact he will have, both on and off the field.” -Pete Lebel, head coach GHS boys varsity soccer

“We are thrilled for Kolhby to have the opportunity to play collegiate sports (Soccer and Volleyball) at the next level. He has always demonstrated a different level of athleticism, drive, commitment and coachability that you don’t see amongst all athletes – and it’s proven with this opportunity to be a two sport collegiate athlete which is very rare. He has set an example for many younger players in the club of what hard work, dedication and perseverance can accomplish and we wish him continued success in everything he tackles on and off the field at Lynchburg.” -Bobby O’Brien, co-technical director, Virginia Reign FC

“I have had the pleasure of coaching Kohlby for 2 years and I am always impressed with his desire to improve. Kohlby always brings the right mentality to training and that translates to his success on the field. Since taking over the club team, I have challenged Kohlby to develop as a soccer player and not rely on his tremendous athletic ability. He has embraced those challenges and I have enjoyed seeing him grow as a soccer player, a teammate, a competitor and as a young man. I am happy that Kohlby is being recognized for his athletic accomplishments because I have seen how hard he works behind the scenes.” -Kyle Symczak, William & Mary assistant men’s soccer coach

Quick Stats About Kohlby

Awards

• Soccer: 1st Team All District, 1st Team All Region, 2nd Team All Tidewater
• Volleyball: 1st Team All Region, 2nd Team All State
• Track: VA Top 25 in the 200m Dash

States Visited for Sports

• California
• Colorado
• Pennsylvania
• North Carolina
• Maryland
• Georgia
• Florida
• Delaware

High School Superlative

• Voted “Most Athletic” for the Gloucester High School Class of 2024

Collegiate Athlete Future

• Soccer and volleyball at University of Lynchburg

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