For Geneseo High School senior Kye Weinzierl, the accolades have piled up throughout a standout high school career. From all-state honors on the football field to deep postseason runs on the wrestling mat, Weinzierl has built one of the most accomplished athletic résumés in recent Geneseo history.
On Monday, one more honor was added to the list.
Weinzierl was named the male recipient of the Western Big 6 Conference’s prestigious Don Morris Award, the conference’s highest honor recognizing excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, citizenship, and community involvement. The award also places a strong emphasis on multi-sport participation, something Weinzierl embraced throughout his high school career.
Above: Weinzierl is joined by GHS AD Joe Nichols, Varsity Football Coach Matt Furlong, and Varsity Wrestling Coach Tom Rusk.
For Weinzierl, the son of Brad and Jami Weinzierl, the recognition means far more than personal achievement.
“This means a lot, not just for me, but for my teammates and coaches who have helped me along through this journey,” said Weinzierl, Geneseo’s Male Athlete of the Year for the Class of 2026. “It's more of an award for the teammates and coaches that I've been with and for the school, because of everything they've done for me, and the community being a backbone for all the teams.”
That unselfish, team-first mentality has defined Weinzierl’s approach throughout his years at Geneseo.
A two-sport standout in football and wrestling while also earning a varsity letter in baseball, Weinzierl compiled an elite list of accomplishments. In football, he was a 2025 IHSA 4A First-Team All-Stater, WB6 Player of the Year, two-time team MVP, two-time team captain, and a two-time defensive player of the year. He also earned first-team all-conference honors on both offense and defense.
On the wrestling mat, Weinzierl became one of the top wrestlers in the state, earning two IHSA Class 2A all-state finishes, two state finalist appearances, four state qualifications, and a 148-23 career record. He was also named the 2026 WB6 Wrestler of the Year and won multiple regional, sectional, and conference championships.
Above: Weinzierl credits his parents, Jami and Brad, for pushing him to be his best, saying, "They instilled that in me from a young age."
Beyond athletics, Weinzierl was a four-year honor roll student, a two-time academic all-conference selection, and regularly involved in youth camps, wrestling instruction, and community service efforts.
What fueled that consistent success across so many areas?
“Just being the best version of myself every day,” Weinzierl said. “Striving to do my best, which is something my coaches have done a great job of instilling in me. My parents also instilled that in me from a young age. That's something I’ve carried with me is just to do one thing how you do everything, and that should be with 100% effort.”
That mentality carried over into his eagerness to compete year-round in multiple sports.
“The main reason was just not being able to sit still and go without competing for a long period of time,” Weinzierl said with a laugh. “I love competing. That's why I do what I do, just because I love the thrill of competing and being out there with teammates.”
As he reflects on his time at Geneseo, one memory immediately stands out above the rest.
“Definitely this year, when we pulled off the upset against Rochelle at home on Halloween,” Weinzierl said of the IHSA Class 4A first-round playoff game, a rematch that ended in a 16-14 win for the Green Machine. “That was an amazing experience, just to see all the community behind us and all the support we got throughout the week and the rest of the playoffs around town, and just being able to be out there with my coaches and teammates who have done a ton for me. It was a great experience and I'll always remember it.”
Weinzierl is quick to point out that none of his success happened alone.
“All of my coaches have played a huge part in my development as an athlete and a man,” he said. “Coach (Matt) Furlong taking over after my sophomore year was huge. He came here and kind of instilled a different mindset in us and had a huge part in my development.
“Then wrestling, coach (Tom) Rusk and coach (Jessie) Montez — during wrestling season, I basically lived at coach Montez's house, training morning lifts, night lifts, night practices, morning practices. He has been awesome to me. He's had a huge part in my development and making me a better man, making me better on and off the mat.
“I give big thanks to all my coaches, coach Rusk, coach Furlong, coach Montez, coach (Jeremy) Mosier, coach (Mike) Harrington, and coach (Patrick) Babcock. All these coaches have had a huge part in my development as an athlete and as a man.”
Weinzierl’s message to Geneseo’s younger athletes is simple.
“Get involved in everything you can,” Weinzierl said. “Like I said earlier, just do the one thing, how you do everything. Have fun, enjoy the process, and it's a grind, but you gotta learn to enjoy the process and the outcome will come.”
Above: Weinzierl is the fifth Geneseo student-athlete to win the Don Morris Award, joining Keeli Frerich (2020), Ali Rapps (2022), Annie Wirth (2023), and A.J. Weller (2024).
For a student-athlete whose career has been defined by competition, discipline, leadership, and humility, the Don Morris Award serves as a fitting final chapter to Weinzierl’s unforgettable run at Geneseo High School.
Next up for Weinzierl is Western Illinois University, where he will continue his football career while pursuing a degree in finance.
“I’m really looking forward to moving on and getting in a new system with the new coaches who took over a year or two ago at Western,” Weinzierl said. “I'm looking forward to getting in that environment and continuing my development and just growing as a human and as a player.”
Don Morris Memorial Award
Named in memory of longtime Alleman coach and administrator Don Morris, the award honors student-athletes who embody commitment, sacrifice, discipline, academics, and service. Criteria include maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA while excelling in multiple sports and contributing to both school and community activities. Previous Don Morris Award winners from Geneseo include Keeli Frerich (2020), Ali Rapps (2022), Annie Wirth (2023), and A.J. Weller (2024).