Former Viewmont High School wrestler Ben Kjar has been selected for induction into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, a recognition of his historic career as Utah Valley University's first NCAA Division I All-American. Kjar, who overcame significant personal adversity, will be honored at a ceremony scheduled for Sept. 14, according to prior reporting by Davis County News.
High School and Collegiate Dominance
Kjar's induction follows a storied athletic career characterized by both high school dominance and collegiate breakthroughs. As a wrestler for Viewmont High School in Bountiful, Kjar became the school's first-ever three-time Utah state wrestling champion, securing titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002. During his senior year in 2002, he led the Viewmont Vikings to their first team state championship, finishing his prep career with a 125-6 record. He also achieved a rare USA Wrestling "Triple Crown" in 2002 by winning national titles in folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling.
Historic UVU Career
After high school, Kjar attended Utah Valley University, where he made history as the program's first All-American. Entering the 2011 NCAA Championships unseeded at 125 lbs, Kjar upset three top-7 seeded opponents to advance to the national semifinals. He ultimately finished fourth in the nation after a semifinal loss to eventual champion Anthony Robles. During his collegiate tenure from 2006 to 2011, Kjar never lost a single home match and was named UVU's 2011 Male Athlete of the Year. He graduated as the program's all-time wins leader with 129 collegiate victories.
Triumph Over Adversity
Kjar's journey was marked by profound personal challenges stemming from Crouzon syndrome, a genetic condition known as craniofacial dysostosis where the skull seams fuse abnormally. The condition resulted in numerous reconstructive surgeries and childhood bullying. In a documentary titled "Standout: The Ben Kjar Story," Kjar recounted a childhood moment at a grocery store where a stranger's reaction to his appearance left him shattered. Despite these obstacles, Kjar has become a professional motivational speaker, using his experiences to encourage others to choose resilience over victimhood.
The Standout Documentary
The documentary "Standout: The Ben Kjar Story" explores how Kjar transitioned from a child facing social isolation to a world-class athlete. Directed by Tanner Christensen and produced by Jared Hess, the film details Kjar's decision to attend UVU following a sense of divine intervention and encouragement from coach Greg Williams. The production featured UVU film students, including sound and location scout Frasier Perez, who noted the professional value of working on a documentary set of this scale.
International Success
Kjar's competitive fire remained active well after his collegiate career ended. In 2023, after a two-year hiatus from the mat, he trained to win both the freestyle and Greco U.S. Open in the master's B division. He further achieved international success in 2023 by winning a gold medal in the 62kg Greco-Roman competition at the Veterans World Championships in Loutraki, Greece, while also securing a silver medal in freestyle at the same event.
Honoring Coach Wade Discher
Kjar will be inducted alongside Coach Wade Discher, a prominent figure in Utah wrestling. Discher has spent nearly 30 years coaching at Wasatch High School, where he has built a wrestling dynasty. During his tenure, Discher guided the Wasatch Wasps to 10 state championshipscomprising eight traditional tournament titles and two dual meet titlescontributing to the program's 21 total state titles. Discher is recognized for a coaching philosophy that emphasizes a "team as family" culture and the importance of enjoying the sport while competing at high levels.
Banquet and Fundraising
The Utah Wrestling Hall of Fame will host the awards as part of the Brunson Hall of Fame Banquet. The event serves a dual purpose, recognizing the accomplishments of Utah's youth wrestlers while raising funds for the Utah Valley University wrestling program.
