Making the Best...

That’s wisdom, you know.

 

Not resignation. Not submission. Not concession. Wisdom.

 

That’s the mindset that Collegiate’s varsity wrestlers and their coaches have adopted as they approach the championship phase of their almost-back-to-normal season.

 

With the Prep League tournament February 5 at Norfolk Academy, the VISAA two weeks later at Benedictine, and the prep nationals February 25-26 at the DC Armory, they will fill five of the 14 weight classes.

 

The glass-half-empty outlook is that the Cougars don’t have the numbers to compete for team championships.  From the glass-half-full perspective, the Cougars plan to summon their best, wrestle their best, and hold their heads high.

 

“This is the year we hoped to cover 11 weights, but through injuries and other ailments, the numbers have dwindled,” said Coach Andy Stone. “We have low numbers (11 varsity and JV) but very dedicated kids, so that makes it worthwhile and satisfying. It’s been a tough year, but that’s not affecting them the guys that are training. They’re working really hard and focusing on individual goals.”

 

The Cougars lost their 2020-2021 season to Covid. Though the team was able to convene, workouts (at the Robins Campus rather than the Jamie Robertson ’04 Wrestling Room) involved mostly conditioning drills and minimal skill work because protocols allowed no contact.

 

“Other than the fact that there were some mats down in the turf room (at Robins), it really wasn’t wrestling,” said senior captain Walker Clemans, who competes in the 170 weight class. “That made it hard, for sure. Honestly, I tried not to think about it.”

 

To say that Clemans is a hard-core, dedicated wrestler is an understatement. He’s been involved with the sport since he was in the 4^th grade in Connecticut. He competed for a club team as a 7^th grader after his family moved to Richmond and then joined the Cougars’ program when he enrolled at Collegiate in 8^th grade.

 

“I’m super competitive,” he said. “I like the physicality of wrestling. It was something from a young age that I could be good at. I’ve never been super fast, I can’t jump high, but I can work hard. There’s a mental side to it, too. I’ve never gotten bored on a wrestling mat. You’re always thinking. You’re always doing something different.”

 

Knowing that his junior season wouldn’t happen, Clemans underwent surgery in October 2020 to repair torn labrum in his left shoulder. He reinjured the shoulder wrestling this past spring but is toughing his way through the discomfort. Nevertheless, he takes an 11-4 record into the league tournament.

 

“I just love the sport,” he said. “It’s borderline an addiction.”

In addition to Clemans, senior David Ding (138) and sophomores Walker Bain (120), Braden Bell (145), and Everett Hatfield are scheduled to compete Saturday.

 

Though the varsity and JV numbers are low, there are 20 Cub wrestlers coached by Andrew Vigne and Mac Friddell.

 

“They’re enthusiastic and improving,” Stone said. “The health of the program will come from the good group of Middle School guys, teaching them, training them well, and keeping them excited and involved.”

 

An expectation for older, more seasoned wrestlers is to lead by example and serve as role models.

 

“One of the advantages of Collegiate wrestling is that we all train in the same room,” Stone said. “We warm up together, and as the younger kids progress, we bring some of them over to train with the JV. We’ll even take some of them to JV meets as they come along. We kind of mix and match as guys progress which makes it a great way to train our kids. We’re lucky in that regard.”

 

The Cub squad has wrestled in four events this winter and concludes its season February 4 at the Fat Tuesday Classic hosted by Norfolk Academy. Showing improvement and bringing energy and positive attitudes have been themes of the season.

 

“If I accomplish my goals, I’ll be happy,” Clemans said. “If I come back from school next Thanksgiving and the room is full of kids, practicing, working hard, and having fun, I’ll be happy too.”

   ~Weldon Bradshaw