Klel Carson exemplifies the saying, “bloom where you are planted.” A standout wrestler at La Grande High School, he remained close to home to begin his coaching journey under Hall of Fame coach Verl Miller in 1993 while attending Eastern Oregon State College. Following graduation, Carson coached in Roseburg, established the wrestling program at Oakland High School, and later returned to La Grande, where he built a legacy of sustained excellence.

Throughout his career, Carson’s teams have achieved remarkable success, winning four state championships, three Oregon Classic dual titles, and earning 13 OSAA trophies. From 2019 through 2024, his teams went undefeated in dual meets against schools of all classifications and from multiple states. He has coached 33 individual state champions, 167 state placers, and 126 district champions. His teams have competed in Hawaii, and he has led Oregon’s Cultural Exchange teams internationally four times—in Japan (2012) and in Germany and surrounding countries (2019, 2021, 2023).

Carson has received numerous honors for his leadership, including two selections as Oregon’s 4A Coach of the Year, and in 2023 he was named Oregon Coach of the Year, Regional Coach of the Year, and National Coach of the Year. While awards and championships are noteworthy, he takes greatest pride in the meaningful relationships he has built with his athletes and coaching staff. The La Grande program emphasizes developing champions not only on the mat but also in life, with a focus on integrity, family, and community.

Carson credits the ongoing support of his wife, Amy, and their children—Marissa, Alaina, Braden, and Kai—for sustaining his career and commitment to wrestling.