Wrestling athletes
On The Cover
are in a class all their oW oWn by Beth Welch
photography by Jerry Christenson
T
he sport of wrestling is gaining ground and popularity in the Columbus Valley area. From the first meet in November until the state championships in February, local wrestling programs are busy improving the skills of their athletes and focusing on winning and commitment to the values wrestling teaches. Several schools have the potential to see athletes move
on to the next level of play. Wrestling takes a lot of hard work and dedication as well as talent. In the Game High School Sports Magazine invited area schools to have an outstanding wrestling athlete featured on our cover. In this feature, the athletes also give a brief look at their lives and what makes the sport important to them.
Chandler Willis Age: 16 Height: 5’9” Weight: 138 lbs. Weight class for wrestling: 132 lbs. Coach: Chris Huffman, Coach Cobb How long have you been wrestling? My second year
Parents: Charles Willis Graduating class: 2015 College: CSU Favorite food: Pepperoni Pizza Favorite movie: The Godfather Favorite sports team (college or professional): Alabama Football
Joshua Jamieson Age: 17 Height: 5’4” Weight: 126 lbs. Weight class for wrestling: 126 lbs. Coach: Tommy Sanders How long have you been wrestling? Six years
Parents: Donald Jamieson and Tracy Jamieson Graduating class: 2014 College: Undecided Favorite food: Ice cream Favorite movie: The Campaign
Joshua s ampson Age: 16 Height: 5’10” Weight: 175 lbs. Weight class for wrestling: 182 lbs. Coach: Robert Sanders How long have you been wrestling? Four years
Parents: Nicole Brooks Graduating class: 2015 College: USMC Favorite food: Key lime pie Favorite movie: Django Favorite sports team (college or professional) Oklahoma State
Matt Hogan Height: 5’9” Weight: 128 lbs. Weight class for wrestling: 128 lbs. Coach: Shawn Sherman and Don Vestal How long have you been wrestling? Four and half years Favorite sports team (college or professional): UGA football; Penn State wrestling
Parents: James Thomas and Erika Milena Hogan Graduating class: 2014 College: Undecided Favorite food: Pizza Favorite movie: Vision Quest
Person you would most like to meet: Nick Saban Any awards or accomplishments as a wrestling athlete: Fourth place in city One reason you enjoy the sport of wrestling: Staying in shape and always liked wrestling.
Person you would most like to meet: Hillary Clinton Any awards or accomplishments as a wrestling athlete: Second at state in 10th grade and fifth at state in 11th grade One reason you enjoy the sport of wrestling: I am good at it.
Person you would most like to meet: Jordan Oliver Any awards or accomplishments as a wrestling athlete: MVP 2012; 20122013 fourth place at state; third place at sectionals One reason you enjoy the sport of wrestling: I just love the sport.
Person you would most like to meet: David Taylor Any awards or accomplishments as a wrestling athlete: Captain One reason you enjoy wrestling: It teaches you that if you want something bad enough, you have to rely on yourself and no one else, and once you achieve your goals it feels amazing. 9