Derrick Davis | The Valdosta Daily TimesValdosta wrestler Trey Walton, middle, is joined at a table by his family and University of the Cumberlands head wrestling coach Chris Fleeger as he signs a scholarship with the the Patriots on Wednesday in the Performing Arts Center.

VALDOSTA — Trey Walton doesn’t talk a big game.

He doesn’t have to.

Throughout his career at Valdosta High School, Walton’s wrestling has spoken for itself — three-time region champion, second and fourth place finishes at the state tournament, fourth place finish at the National High School Coaches Assocation’s National Duels in Virginia Beach, and as of Wednesday, collegiate wrestler.

Walton signed a scholarship at VHS’ Performing Arts Center to wrestle at the University of the Cumberlands.

In traveling to Williamsburg, Kentucky, Walton will join Wildcat teammate Miles Parramore, who committed to the Patriots three weeks ago.

For Walton, who mulled over multiple offers before deciding on Cumberlands, the comfort provided by going through the collegiate experience with a close friend in Parramore made all the difference.

“Miles going there was a huge part of my decision,” Walton said Wednesday. “That way I wouldn’t be by myself. There’d be at least one person from home I know.

“That was a huge factor in my decision.”

University of the Cumberlands head wrestling coach Chris Fleeger made the more than 500-mile drive for the second time in three weeks to attend Walton’s ceremony in person, just like he did for Parramore.

Fleeger was more familiar with Parramore and his family after speaking to them during his time as a coach at Darton State College and on a recruiting trip to the Cumberlands, and after hearing nothing but positive feedback regarding Walton, including from rival coaches, Fleeger decided he’d attempt to dip back into the wrestling well at Valdosta.

“Obviously his wrestling is amazing,” Fleeger said. “That’s not in question at all. But we try to go beyond that.

“I started asking him about the classrooms, the academics. He’s a great academic student. He had a lot of great offers everywhere. We weren’t sure we were going to get him, but I think what we had academically for him in the IT department, I think he really liked that.”

Walton will leave Valdosta as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the program’s history after finishing his high school career with all-american status following his fourth-place finish at the NHSCA National Duels.

But the moment that stood out most to Walton was his time at the state duels this season.

“I’d never been, and it was my last year,” Walton said. “i finally got to go.

“Team wrestling is what it’s all about. I love team wrestling.”

Though Walton will miss his teammates and the tradition at Valdosta, he’s not worried about the future of the program moving forward. Walton’s confident that despite losing himself, Parramore and head coach Benjy Scarbor, the Wildcats’ wrestling team is in good hands.

“I’m going to miss it, I’m going to miss it a lot…” Walton said. “But I want all my other teammates to take over. I know there’s a lot more talent on this team, so I know it’s not going to be a big impact on them.”

Fortunately, Walton will have Parramore to lean on as he gets comfortable in his new surroundings, and vice versa.

The soft-spoken Walton got a glimmer in his eye when speaking about the rivalry between himself and Parramore.

“There’s always have huge competition between each other,” Walton said. “He’s always fighting harder than everybody in the room, so I know going up there he’ll push me.

“I know new people will be able to push me as well, and that’s awesome.”

Fleeger said the plan is redshirt Walton his first year with the Patriots to learn behind University of Cumberlands’ three-time all-american senior in the same weight class.

Confessing Walton may be able to compete right away if they needed him to, Fleeger is looking forward to seeing his new recruit unleashed in the future.

“He’s quiet, but you can tell he’s competitive,” Fleeger said. “I like guys that don’t have to talk about it all the time; they can just be about it.”

Derrick Davis is the sports editor at the Valdosta Daily Times.