Catching up with former New Milford HS wrestler Conor Kirkegard
NEW MILFORD, Conn. — “Conor was the nicest kid off the mat, but once he laced them up, he was the fiercest competitor I ever coached.”聽 Pretty strong words from the Head Coach of one of the most storied and successful wrestling programs in the country.聽 Coach Chris Piel would know.聽 Conor Kirkegard was not only a fierce competitor but is in the argument as being the top wrestler in New Milford High School history.
The epitome of the term Student Athlete, Conor Kirkegard excelled on and off the mat from a very young age. His NMHS record of 171-11 might be enough to win that argument. But there is more.聽 While racking up 109 career pins, along with 89 consecutive wins, the CT record for fastest pin (4 seconds), the 3-time State Champion, 2-time State Open Champion, 4-time SWC Champion, and the first ever NMHS New England Champion, Conor was more than a wrestler. The NMHS Hall of Famer excelled in the classroom as an Honor Student. Being named Team Captain, citizenship awards, MVP Awards, and the admiration as a person by everyone in his path, were important to Conor as he paved his way to where he is today.
The 2012 NMHS graduate attended Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, PA.聽 His record was 78-38, and as Team Captain was a Conference Champion, a 3-time Regional Placer, and held a national ranking in his final 3 years at DVU. He was also on the Dean’s List and an was an Academic All American.
He graduated from DVU in 2016 with a Business Degree, with a focus in Landscape Construction and Techniques.聽 After working in the landscaping industry right out of college, Conor chose to make a career choice that was inspired by an incident during his collegiate wrestling career.
While at a tournament in Las Vegas, Conor, his coach, and 3 of his teammates were walking on the Las Vegas Strip, when a woman drove up on the sidewalk and intentionally ran over 36 people.聽 Conor said, “I was one of the 36 people that she struck. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time, but I turned it into a positive situation. I remember watching police and emergency personnel pursue the striking vehicle rather than running away from the threat.聽 That is what inspired me to pursue a career in law enforcement.”
While working on his MBA in 2018, he was accepted in the State Police Academy.聽 He was accepted by the Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania State Police.聽 He chose to stay in Pennsylvania and is now a State Trooper in Chester County, PA and will soon transfer to Philadelphia where he and his wife, Brittany, make their residence.
Conor met Brittany at DVU, but they did not date until after graduation. Brittany also has an impressive Student Athlete resume as an outstanding high school and college basketball player. She was an All-Academic Athlete and has a degree in Business with a Sports Management specialty. She earned her MBA at DVU.聽 Brittany is now a Contract Specialist for the United States Navy.
Conor and Brittany recently became homeowners in Philadelphia, and, as Conor said, “was a complete gut and renovation project.”聽 聽When not spending time on their house, they work out together, including running, playing basketball, and in the winter, they are avid skiers with a trip to the Swiss Alps in their plans. Travel is one of their passions. One of their trips was their honeymoon, spending 2 weeks in Europe when they attended Octoberfest in Munich, Germany.聽 Conor jokes that they purchased lederhosen while there, which seemed a fair trade for a wrestling singlet.
The Kirkegards enjoy visiting family in New Milford and also spend time with Brittany’s family in Philadelphia. He remains in close contact with his brother, Christopher, and is sister, Kara, who were also athletes. Conor’s loyalty extends to his favorite teams, the NY Mets and Jets but says, “It is difficult to not root for my hometown teams.”
When speaking of mentors and influences, he immediately mentions his parents, Diane and Chris. “They lead by example and were always there for me. They taught me how to carry myself with dignity and to always respect others.” Diane and Chris said of Conor, “Conor has taken his focus and determination into every aspect of his life. From his schoolwork to his current profession as a Pennsylvania State Trooper.”聽 Conor also references his NMHS Coaches Patrick Burns and Chris Piel as mentors.聽 “To this day I still speak with Coach Burns and Coach Piel.”
Conor Kirkegard’s athletic journey began as a 6-year-old who wrestled in 300 matches prior to entering NMHS and winning his 500th high school match at the State Open.聽 By the time he finished college, he wrestled in 723 matches. His perseverance, determination, and goals to become the best at what he does, is testament for the person he is today.
He is not finished.聽 His goal of becoming a Community Service Officer (CSO), which is exactly what it sounds like, sums up who Conor Kirkegard is.
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