jeffpatterson
03-06-2008, 09:51 PM
http://www.dailypress.com/media/alternatethumbnails/storylink/2008-03/36469695-06185232.JPG
Another banner year for Grafton?
Chase Ennis and Keith Person look to continue Grafton’s tradition of individual success in state wrestling.
By JEFF CUNNINGHAM | Correspondent
Anyone who walks into the wrestling room at Grafton High immediately will be greeted with a sign listing everyone who placed at state in the school’s history. Nine names, boasting 15 podium finishes — names like Mike Dunn, Mike Burling, Denny Herndon, Elliott Hogge and Justin Cooper.
Seniors Chase Ennis and Keith Person also are on that list, and both look to make the banner again at the Group AA/A state tournament, which starts today in Salem.
Ennis was a state runner-up last season, while Person finished fourth. Though the Clippers boast so many state place-winners, first-year coach Lester Ferguson notes that only one took home the crown — Herndon in 2005.
“We want to add a couple names (to the banner),” said Ferguson, a Poquoson graduate. “That’s our goal ... that’s what our goal’s been all year long. We’ve had low numbers this year, so to have Chase and Keith was a big help.”
Ferguson said he only had eight wrestlers consistently throughout the season, even as his Clippers endured a schedule he said was tougher than last year’s. The Clippers competed in the Virginia Duals, along with the Great Bridge Holiday Classic, Cosby Classic and Riverbend Super 32.
Ennis and Person have been teammates not only on the mat, but also on the football field. Person was all-Region I at defensive tackle this past season, and in 2006 Ennis was one of the Clippers’ main offensive threats behind Phillip Thaxton.
But Person suited up for the gridiron this year without Ennis, as the 189-pounder gave up football to concentrate on wrestling full-time, a decision he not only saw in his success on the mat — Ennis is ranked first in the state in his class by the Web site virginiawrestling.com and is 34-2 this season — but in his preparation as well.
“I’d been wrestling all summer, and when it came time of two-a-days (for football practice), I just needed a break,” Ennis said. “I was trying to get ... scholarship money, I had all my official visits planned out, and I would’ve missed two or three football games, and I was trying to look out for my future.”
The focus paid off, as Ennis signed to wrestle at Old Dominion on Nov. 14 after fielding interest from Tennessee-Chattanooga and Princeton.
“Good decision,” Ferguson said with a grin.
“The wrestlers who also play a fall sport, it takes them half the season to get into gear and in the mode of wrestling,” Ennis added. “But when you’ve been wrestling all summer and all fall, your schedule doesn’t really change that much once the season starts.”
Person, meanwhile, utilized the skills he learned on the defensive line to improve on the mat. At first, wrestling was a way to stay in shape once football season was over, but as Person improved on the defensive line, his wrestling skills followed suit.
Person didn’t win a match in his freshman year, but now sits fourth in the state with a 38-4 record, coming off a Region I title two weeks ago.
“I want my name up there again,” Person said of the banner. “With a big No. 1 beside it.”
Given the skills needed to succeed on the line, Person said, he was better able to use strategy and the principles of momentum in the heavyweight class, where technique and skill sometimes give way to who can push whom harder.
“It helps me keep my strength up,” Person said. “Keeps me conditioned and lets me work on the things I need to be successful in the winter.”
Person and Ennis also said they enjoy the individual aspect of wrestling, feeling a pressure to succeed unlike that on the football field.
“You can’t rely on anyone else,” Person said. “It’s pressure, but it’s a good thing. ... I feed off of it.”
“You don’t have to count on other people the way you do in football,” Ennis said. “It’s all on you ... if you lose, it’s because you lost more than anything.
“You can succeed on your own in wrestling.”
Another banner year for Grafton?
Chase Ennis and Keith Person look to continue Grafton’s tradition of individual success in state wrestling.
By JEFF CUNNINGHAM | Correspondent
Anyone who walks into the wrestling room at Grafton High immediately will be greeted with a sign listing everyone who placed at state in the school’s history. Nine names, boasting 15 podium finishes — names like Mike Dunn, Mike Burling, Denny Herndon, Elliott Hogge and Justin Cooper.
Seniors Chase Ennis and Keith Person also are on that list, and both look to make the banner again at the Group AA/A state tournament, which starts today in Salem.
Ennis was a state runner-up last season, while Person finished fourth. Though the Clippers boast so many state place-winners, first-year coach Lester Ferguson notes that only one took home the crown — Herndon in 2005.
“We want to add a couple names (to the banner),” said Ferguson, a Poquoson graduate. “That’s our goal ... that’s what our goal’s been all year long. We’ve had low numbers this year, so to have Chase and Keith was a big help.”
Ferguson said he only had eight wrestlers consistently throughout the season, even as his Clippers endured a schedule he said was tougher than last year’s. The Clippers competed in the Virginia Duals, along with the Great Bridge Holiday Classic, Cosby Classic and Riverbend Super 32.
Ennis and Person have been teammates not only on the mat, but also on the football field. Person was all-Region I at defensive tackle this past season, and in 2006 Ennis was one of the Clippers’ main offensive threats behind Phillip Thaxton.
But Person suited up for the gridiron this year without Ennis, as the 189-pounder gave up football to concentrate on wrestling full-time, a decision he not only saw in his success on the mat — Ennis is ranked first in the state in his class by the Web site virginiawrestling.com and is 34-2 this season — but in his preparation as well.
“I’d been wrestling all summer, and when it came time of two-a-days (for football practice), I just needed a break,” Ennis said. “I was trying to get ... scholarship money, I had all my official visits planned out, and I would’ve missed two or three football games, and I was trying to look out for my future.”
The focus paid off, as Ennis signed to wrestle at Old Dominion on Nov. 14 after fielding interest from Tennessee-Chattanooga and Princeton.
“Good decision,” Ferguson said with a grin.
“The wrestlers who also play a fall sport, it takes them half the season to get into gear and in the mode of wrestling,” Ennis added. “But when you’ve been wrestling all summer and all fall, your schedule doesn’t really change that much once the season starts.”
Person, meanwhile, utilized the skills he learned on the defensive line to improve on the mat. At first, wrestling was a way to stay in shape once football season was over, but as Person improved on the defensive line, his wrestling skills followed suit.
Person didn’t win a match in his freshman year, but now sits fourth in the state with a 38-4 record, coming off a Region I title two weeks ago.
“I want my name up there again,” Person said of the banner. “With a big No. 1 beside it.”
Given the skills needed to succeed on the line, Person said, he was better able to use strategy and the principles of momentum in the heavyweight class, where technique and skill sometimes give way to who can push whom harder.
“It helps me keep my strength up,” Person said. “Keeps me conditioned and lets me work on the things I need to be successful in the winter.”
Person and Ennis also said they enjoy the individual aspect of wrestling, feeling a pressure to succeed unlike that on the football field.
“You can’t rely on anyone else,” Person said. “It’s pressure, but it’s a good thing. ... I feed off of it.”
“You don’t have to count on other people the way you do in football,” Ennis said. “It’s all on you ... if you lose, it’s because you lost more than anything.
“You can succeed on your own in wrestling.”