Wampler Continuing Tiger Pipeline To Trine

Warsaw senior Colton Wampler, standing with his parents Jeff and Brandi Wampler on senior night, has committed to continue his football career with Trine University. Photo provided

By Mike Deak
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – It should no surprise that a kicker from Warsaw is intending to play college football.

With the likes of Jake Rogers, Andrew Mevis and Harrison Mevis among the Warsaw kicking alumni to kick in college, Colton Wampler will look to continue the tradition of excellence. Wampler has announced he will continue his football career with Trine University.

Wampler didn’t do much kicking until his senior year, seeded behind current University of Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis. But as a senior, Wampler became the primary kicking option for the Tigers. He nailed 40 extra points, and as a prerequisite for most players in the Tiger program, he was asked to carry the ball, toting the rock for 204 yards and three touchdowns.

He had a breakout game against Plymouth, rushing for 126 yards and two touchdowns in the road win.

Wampler also sailed 13 punts for 309 yards, an average of 23.8 yards per kick. Wampler did miss his only two field goal attempts.

For his work on offense and special teams, Wampler was named an Honorable Mention All-Northern Lakes Conference award winner this past season.

“He made himself into a weapon on special teams, we recovered four different onside kicks this season,” said Warsaw football head coach Bart Curtis. “Colton was a consistent presence in the weight room during the three years I’ve been head coach at Warsaw. He waited patiently for his turn and his time, he took full advantage of both during the 2020 season.”

Wampler will join the Thunder of Trine, which has a long history of taking in athletes from northern Indiana. Included on the 2020 Trine roster include a pair of Tigers in Matt Shoemaker and Henry Wagoner, as well as a host of Northern Lakes Conference and former area stars. The Thunder only played two games in the fall of 2020, winning both contests.

The Thunder are coached by Troy Abbs, who is in his sixth year as head coach. Trine is a Division III program and part of the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Per his announcement on his Twitter account, Wampler commented on his selection of Trine, “I’m very excited to announce my commitment to Trine University to continue my academic and football career. I want to thank God, my family and friends, my coaches, and everyone that supported me. I’d also like to thank coach Abbs for this great opportunity. Go Thunder.”