Demonstrating Strength and Adversity in All Pursuits: UIW Athlete and Student Doctor to Compete in 2026 Wrestling National Championships

The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to support its Cardinals in enriching their passions and academic pursuits. With over 100 undergraduate majors, minors and concentrations, over 15 sports and more, the University offers a variety of programs that invite students to showcase their unique strengths and talents.

One Cardinal has been demonstrating his astonishing athleticism in the wresting sport. Scott Kilian, a second-year medical student at the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM), has just achieved his fourth win in the Southwest Conference as part of the National College Wrestling Association (NCWA).

Kilian grew up as a military child, often traveling the world based on wherever his father was stationed to serve. In 2014 while stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, Kilian first stepped into the ring, tried his hand in the sport and discovered his enthusiasm for wrestling. For the past 13 years, he has remained dedicated to growing within the sport, including being a member of UIW's Club Sports, which are "designed to provide students at the undergraduate, master and PhD level an opportunity to continue their athletic career at the collegiate level" (uiw.edu). In addition to growing his own quality sportsmanship, he has also helped to foster a love for wrestling among young athletes, as he has been training at his former youth group, NB.

"I love how alone I am out there. Win or lose, the result rests on my shoulders, and I take a lot of pride in that," noted Kilian. "Wrestling has also given me some extraordinary relationships and friendships throughout the last decade-plus. You build a unique bond with people when you're going through the same adversity."

After graduating from Texas A&M University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Kilian suffered a number of injuries that warranted concern for how much his body could take. He instead shifted his mindset to focus on pursuing his future career as a medical professional. However, he couldn't shake the desire to continue in his beloved sport.

He found that UIW's Cardinal Sports would allow him to continue wrestling while simultaneously continuing to study at UIWSOM to become a doctor.

"I reflected on how 'little me' would be disappointed if we didn't use the opportunity to go and compete," expressed Kilian.

As a Cardinal Sports Athlete, he has not only been able to invest in his athletic dreams, but his professional ones as well. Kilian's family includes multiple generations of physicians, and he is looking forward to making a positive impact as a future medical professional. During his journey, he has found that many skills he's obtained through wrestling have also helped him to navigate his student doctor career.

"Wrestling taught me how to deal with adversity in a multitude of different ways," shared Kilian. "It really gave me a tangible avenue to learn important life lessons through competition. Adversity is something I have learned to expect because when you want to do something meaningful, the path is going to be challenging… that's what makes it meaningful!"

In a couple of years, Kilian hopes to serve others as a healthcare professional whose patients trust him to provide some relief even on their worst days. But before then, he hopes to achieve his long-standing goal of earning a National title at the NCWA National Championships, taking place on Thursday. March 26 - Saturday, March 28.

Kilian previously won the Texas Collegiate State Championships with a personal record of 12-1, currently ranking him #9 in the country. In 2026, he has earned several confirmed wins in the Southwest Conference Championships thus far, with him recently placing 3rd on Saturday, March 14 at 149 pounds - qualifying him for Nationals.

In addition to competing well at Nationals, he hopes to make his family proud. They've been his greatest support system, especially his father who has been recently supporting him as his coach.

Before Kilian officially competes in the 2026 Nationals, he shares this message with his beloved UIW community:

"I would like to thank the Lord for all the opportunities I have been blessed with. Thank you to my family for their never-wavering belief and support in me. Coach Steve Horton, thank you for opening your doors to me to come back and train with the club. I would not be prepared the way I am, nor would I have become the athlete I am today, without you. Mr. LeBlanc and Erin Galloway, thank you for taking a chance on me without question. This would not have been possible without you. I'd like to thank my training partners: Micah McCaskill, Cruz Morales, Bryce Palmer, Xavier Stoops and Kaleb Smith. I hope I have made the same impact on you that you have on me. Finally, to all my friends, thank you for all your support, positivity and belief."

Good luck, Scott Kilian!