Gryphon Wrestlers Take Aim at 11-18-09

Rocky Mount's wrestling team is on short notice. Practice will begin November 2 to get ready for the season. A season that may resemble that of the Football Gryphons.

Although the Grapplers have not quite enjoyed the same success as the football team has over the past several years, coach Jermaine Jones has led the team up the ladder. The Gryphs have qualified 3 years in a row for the State Playoffs and have been co-champions of the NEW 6 Conference 2 years running. Just as the football team, though, Jones has lost a ton of starters to graduation. Gone are the Big Four from last year - Alfaro, Silver, Williamson and Cross. The team will be without their 400 or so individual wins, Conference Championships, State Qualifiers and leadership.

The torch has been passed to this year's seniors: 2009 State Qualifiers Chandler Phillips and Ahmir Scott, along with Johnny Stewart (who missed qualifying for states by one match) and Justin Atkinson. Add in returning Sophomore J.K. Williamson, and that's the bulk of the team's varsitiy experience on the mat. This year's Gryphons will rely on returners with less experience stepping up to fill big shoes and to what appears to be a fairly solid set of freshmen coming up.

At this point, it's hard for me to expect the same level of success from this year's team with so many question marks. Jones will need to fill a lot of weight classes with inexperienced guys, but who is to say there can't be two or three guys who can have the kind of freshman campaigns that Alfaro, Scott, Phillips, or Williamson had as freshmen? There are a couple of returners who didn't see much action last year, but did well when they were called on. Just as with the pre-season chatter about this year's football team, there is both reason for concern and optimism.

Last year's team, as good as they were individually and competitive as a team, didn't have the roster to fill all the weight classes. They perpetually wrestled teams & gave away 3 or 4 matches by forfeit. Can this year's team field a full squad?

First things first. Each potential member must pass a hydration test before he can compete. Along with that test, they will do their initial weigh-ins and have a skin-fold test. These tests are designed to protect each athlete. The sport of wrestling is demanding in the fact that each wrestler has to get down (or up) to - and maintain - a certain weight. Coaches "assign" weights that each wrestler will compete at, based on their rosters. The skin-fold and initial weight measurements determine the lowest weight an athlete can compete at. In addition, there is a set amount of weight wrestlers can lose per week to get down to their competitive weights.

Although the combination of hydration and skin fold tests and initial weigh-in, plus a cap on weight loss per week seems to be complicated, the bottom line to the experienced athlete is to come in to the season in shape. Or, as we say; a lean mean wrestling machine - from day one.

I'm sure several of the team's veterans have spent the off-season wrestling in tournaments, working out, rolling on the mat, working on moves and pumping iron. They'll be ready to go when the first match rolls around. The Season opener will be at Home against Tarboro High on November 18 at 7:00pm. Come out and support this year's model.


(photo - Dedrick Silver, 2008 RM graduate)
- the 2009-2010 version of the Gryphons will look to rack up a number of medals that rivals the amounts of last year and years prior

Braves’ wrestler Davis continues quest for Olympic gold

- this is the third story in a three part series on Braves wrestler J.J Davis -

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By Nick Phillips
Asst Sports Editor
Oct 15, 2009

Two years ago, Braves senior wrestler J.J Davis was walking the campus of UNCP as any other student, any other athlete. A sixth place finish in the Division II National Championships in the spring of 2008 and a summer training trip to the United States’ Olympic Training Center changed that.

Last winter, Davis sat out a year of collegiate wrestling to train for his trip to the OTC, and this summer Davis rolled around and went head-to-head with some of the best in his sport. The dream that he had worked towards since high school was a reality. But standing and admiring his idols and Olympic icons was not the reason Davis was in Colorado. He had work to do.

“I got to hang around like I was an Olympic athlete too, everyone was treated the same, it was just an experience of a lifetime for me,” were Davis’ first thoughts about his experience.

Culture Shock

The change in altitude can be hard for anyone experiencing it for the first time, let alone someone training and competing against the nation’s best.

“The altitude was crazy, the first week I couldn’t talk on the phone and walk at the same time,” said Davis, “given that, wrestling was difficult too, because it was closed in like a sauna almost.”

Along with the altitude came the mountains. Davis, admittedly scared of heights, had to suppress that fear, as many training exercises centered around the mountains, valleys, and hills.

“It took some time, but eventually I got rid of my fear of heights…ok, I didn’t get rid of it completely,” Davis joked.

“I accommodated everyone by facing my fears and doing it, but I just know my heart dropped every time I looked down.”

Star Watch

Upon arrival, Davis says he was star struck, recognizing faces and names of athletes that he had seen on TV and read about. Gold medalists, runners up in the Olympics, they were all there. Davis was an equal.

Steve Fraser, who became the United States’ first Olympic Gold Medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1984 Games, is now the US Greco National Team Coach. His words brought Davis from out of the clouds and set Davis back on track.

“He told me to get in there and do what I do best…get in there, fight hard, do what I did to get out there. After that I was hanging with the best of them,” said Davis on that conversation with Fraser.

Davis also had the opportunity to hear several Olympians speak, including 1996 Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist Dan O’Brian, who instilled in Davis a valuable lesson that Davis has taken to heart and is passing along to his teammates back here at UNCP.

“He said that you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable, and it makes so much sense, because whatever you are doing, you are never going to be completely comfortable.”

Summer Vacation

The biggest point that gets lost in Davis’ story is that he did this over summer vacation, a time in which most other students at UNCP were hanging out at home or the beach, or working a job for a little money.

“I can’t think of a better way to prepare for a senior year,” said UNCP head wrestling coach Jamie Gibbs.

“If six weeks of training with the world’s elite doesn’t motivate you, then not much will,” Gibbs added.

In any sport, coaches speak of commitment, practice, and dedication as something that is year-round with no offseason. Davis took this to heart, and took a chance to train and learn from the best.

Two-a-day practices against the country’s best are far different from lifting weights and working on technique with teammates on your own. Davis traded this idea in for his suitcase and a journey, away from family and friends and everything that he was familiar with.

Down Time

Aside from training, Davis also had a little bit of free time. It was summer, after all.

Ping-pong, pool, and YouTube were three of Davis’ favorite things to do when he wasn’t on the wrestling mat.

“Call of Duty, oh man, do they play Call of Duty all the time up there. It’s almost a religion up there to play Call of Duty, they even have their own team up there,” Davis said.

And of course the musician in Davis found a guitar and strummed a few beats, which led to another YouTube video for him. The video shows Davis with members of the Croatian National Team, which also was at the OTC.

“I’m just messing around playing stuff, and they are loving it,” says Davis.

“But I’m mad because they won’t put the one up that the Croatian is rapping to one of my beats, in their language. I didn’t know what he was saying, but it was hilarious.”

Music Lover

Davis is still playing guitar now that he is back on campus. He has already performed several small gigs, and has some other people playing with him, forming his own little band.

Students across campus have taken a liking to something that Davis calls his way to “not be so intense and grrr all the time.”

When students, faculty, and anyone else reads Davis’ story, he hopes that both his musical and athletic abilities will cross over.

“Whenever they read it, hopefully they will swap sides and be like ‘Oh he wrestles too?’ or ‘He plays music?’ So hopefully everything continues to work out,” said Davis on his talents.

Senior Campaign

Coming back to UNCP and going up against Division II competition after facing the best of the best all summer long, it would be easy for Davis to get complacent and sit back.

But Davis is back on the mats as fearless as ever, ready for what lies ahead. Davis has not only began using O’Brian’s saying in his own life, but it trying to instill that thought pattern in his teammates as well. After a recent practice, no one could leave until they did some sort of tumble, something they didn’t think they could do, but to at least try it. And they could all thank Davis for that idea.

“The whole thing was to surpass your fears and try it, because that’s the difference between a guy that gets a pin and the guy who doesn’t, or the guy who wins a close match. He’s not afraid to try things, he’s fearless, he’s going to go all out, and that’s what I’m trying to instill in the guys now,” said Davis about his mental coaching.

Davis’ senior season will not be complete for him unless he finishes his collegiate career with a National title.

“I don’t care if I win any other tournaments, but I want to end it with a National title. It will be the first one at UNCP, and history is what I like making.”

Regardless of his final season statistics, Davis has already accomplished more than he could have envisioned and will go down as one of the Braves’ wrestling greats. A permanent residency and opportunity to train at the OTC full time after graduation is another choice that awaits him, but for the time being, Davis has switched his sights from Olympic gold to collegiate greatness.

Davis’ Golden Opportunity Awaits

- this is the second story of the three part series on Braves wrestler J.J Davis -

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By Nick Phillips
Asst Sports Editor
April 23, 2009

he time has come for UNC-P senior J.J Davis to travel and compete with the best wrestlers in the country. As many students are busy preparing for final exams and getting ready for the summer, Davis is set to take off on the first step in his Olympic goals on April 24.

Davis, who placed 6^th at the Division II National Championships as a junior last spring, used his red-shirt option this season, allowing him to train and prepare for the Olympics without having to worry about college wrestling at the same time.

Davis, whose Olympic journey first became known throughout the campus after the March 12 edition of The Pine Needle, says he has received tremendous support from everyone, faculty and students alike, all across the university.

“Ever since the story came out, I’ve always gotten questions about if I was trying to make the Olympic team. It’s been great, I’ve gotten a lot of support from the faculty and the coaching staff has been there every step of the way.”

Many may wonder how Davis is going to juggle studying for final exams while traveling and focusing on his opponents.

“The faculty has been great helping me get certain things I need to get turned in earlier, so I don’t miss stuff.

This is something that I was planning for, so me going to class and keeping my grades up was all part of it. Coach defiantly wouldn’t let me go off and miss days of class if I didn’t have the grades to.”

Davis is set to embark on the University National tournament, the first of many steps. If he places there, he will move onto the University World trials, all giving him exposure and recognition, with the ultimate goal of receiving an invitation to the Olympic Training Center.

Braves head wrestling coach Jamie Gibbs expressed the entire staff’s opinion of Davis when he called the wrestler a “second coach” on the practice mat.

“J.J has bought into the system. He’s resisted the system, very much, early on in his career, and now he’s just like having another coach.

“Overall, his constant improvement and his commitment to constantly keep improving, and that he never really hangs his head and gets discouraged with things” said Gibbs on his first thoughts when thinking of Davis and his work ethic during his time at UNC-P.

Gibbs said he and his staff, along with Davis’ fellow teammates, have all helped push and train Davis in the practice room, noting that Davis knows his goals and is now on “cruise-control” as the tournament approached.

Upon hearing his coach’s words, Davis said “I hope I’m going to be able to be on cruise control, but most likely, I’m going to be pedal to the medal, going as hard as this little car can go. If I can be on cruise-control and make my way to the finals, so be it. But I’m going to do whatever it takes to win.”

Since he was red-shirting this season on the collegiate level, Davis was unable to get many matches in, so while trying to do well and place, he will also be using this time and tournament to “gain momentum towards next year, my senior year.”

The musician in Davis has already given his senior wrestling campaign with the Braves a title – Vin Vini Vinci.

“Just like Caesar said, ‘I came, I saw, I conquered,’ and that’s how I want to start off my year. And this tournament starts everything."

In the earlier March 12 edition, Davis was contemplating which weight division to compete in. With the tournament rapidly approaching, Davis has pretty much locked down his Greco weight at 174 pounds, and “if the facilities and my weight permit, I will go 174 in the Freestyle as well. If not, I will go 185 for Freestyle” said Davis.

Davis said he won’t be able to make his final decision until he sees the facilities and can decide if the equipment and available amenities are in place for him to stay the same weight for both styles.

Regardless of his placement and outcome, Davis will be back on campus next fall as a part of the Braves program, as he quickly adds to his sights the goal of a National Championship. After his surprising 6^th place finish last season, the All-American has his eyes towards winning the D-II Championship.

“All-Americans at the D-II level, people with those types of credentials are a dime a dozen,” said Gibbs, “but he’s got the ability to wrestle at that level…and become UNC-P’s first National Champ.”

“We want the best for him. He deserves the best; he’s a hard working kid who has bought into the system here. We wish him luck” said Gibbs.

As Davis prepares for his final days before embarking on the next chapter in his college career, he will have the entire university at his back, on his side rooting for him. His fan base will not falter or be effected by his placement, as he has built up a following here at UNC-P - students, faculty, and coaches – that have all expressed their support towards another student reaching for his dreams.

Even if it is a chance at Olympic gold.

UNCP's Davis Goes for Gold

(photo - uncpbraves.com)

By Nick Phillips
Asst Sports Editor
March 12, 2009

After walking off the mat last March, Braves wrestler J.J Davis had nothing to hang his head about. He had made his name known in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, site of the NCAA Division II National Championships. As a junior, Davis was fresh off knocking off two of the top six wrestlers in the country in sixth-ranked Mitch Norton and top-ranked Zachary Lee before eventually ending up with a sixth place finish in the Championships.

Davis, whose final record for 2007-08 season was 35-9 on his way to becoming UNC-Pembroke’s 59^th All-American with his sixth place finish, would be on his way back to campus for his senior season and seemingly another shot at the National Championships.

But the Spartanburg, South Carolina native had another idea. A big idea. An idea to wrestle and compete in the 2012 Olympics in London, in which the first step is being able to train with the United States team at their Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

A Dream Coming True

The dream of getting to the Olympic Training Center (OTC) is one that started for Davis in high school, as he competed in several tournaments that would allow him to travel to the OTC and compete at the University level if he placed high enough in those tournaments. Wrestlers qualifying to go to the OTC to train also are able to receive a ‘red-shirt’ year, which allows them to retain another year of collegiate eligibility, as well as the chance to train with the Olympic team.

Davis agreed that placing sixth in the Championships last spring and becoming an All-American helped him, but that in the Olympics “there are two different styles of wrestling, Freestyle and Greco, which is different from the Folkstyle, or collegiate wrestling, that we do here.”

He also added that he is still deciding which of the two types of wrestling he will focus and train for at the OTC. The two are almost equal in his mind right now, as he weighs his possibilities of success in the Greco, in which a wrestler cannot attack his opponent’s legs, and Freestyle, where “pretty much everything goes.”

This fall, Davis was wrestled in an invite-only tournament in Puerto Rico, which laid the foundation and started his international career.

What to Expect

Davis expects the road to trying out for the Olympic team to be tough, as he predicts he will be competing against “multiple-time national champions, multiple-time world champions, and Olympic team members.”

“The road won’t be easy at all,” said Davis. “It is one with much hard work involved.”

The experience of being able to go to the OTC and train with the different wrestlers is a dream come true enough for Davis. Being able to get through the grind of the entire process and actually secure a spot on the U.S team is a different story.

“Making the team is something special, something on another level, another cloud, an entirely different universe,” said Davis on the prospect of him acquiring a spot on the National team’s roster.

“Making it to OTC…I have to take it one step at a time, first of all I have to start by placing at University, but getting to OTC is a dream. Just to say you got to train with Olympians and guys you used to look up to and actually be wrestling against them…It’s a dream come true.”

What weight?

With the University level of the OTC coming up in the spring, Davis is still wrestling within himself in regards to which weight class he will compete in.

After competing in tournaments this fall at the collegiate weight class of 165 pounds, Davis is contemplating on wrestling in the 163 pound weight class or bumping up into the next higher weight. The decision is a hard one for Davis, as the next class is 185 pounds.

With the way he is training, he feels that cutting the weight will have him losing muscle that he has already built up. He then would have to build those same muscles back up after competing, which is something he is not interested in doing.

Davis is in the process of discussing with coaches the best weight class for him to compete in, as he is “trying to be in the top three at whichever weight I go at this year” when participating in the University level.

His ‘Hobby’

Many people may know Davis for his voice and ability to play the guitar as much as for his accolades on the wrestling mat. Despite just picking up playing the guitar as a hobby last year, he is commonly seen at the ‘Broke Coffee Shop across from campus performing with Jimmie Worley. Davis also plays with other musicians, and can be found late into the night strumming the guitar and singing with groups in the residence halls and in the UC.

Worley says that he taught Davis a few chords last year, and that Davis took off from there, and that Davis has a “crazy athletic ability as well as a crazy music ability.”

“I didn’t imagine the publicity and the popularity I’ve received on campus. I’ve even had people wanting me to do shows for them,” says Davis.

“I really don’t know where it’s going to go, and I’m pretty much just riding the boat.”

Davis’ songs have found their way onto the popular site YouTube.com and there has even been a group entitled ‘I Heart Jimmie and J.J Music’ on the social networking site Facebook, which boasts over 230 members.

His self-written song “Dance for Me” is always a crowd pleaser, and others include “Don’t Go” and “On Your Porch,” which can be seen on YouTube. Davis even hinted that he may even have an album in the works.

“Everything he does, he does to the best of his ability,” said Worley about Davis.

Davis’ next scheduled event will be on April 4^th at the newly renovated Carolina Civic Center, which is located in Lumberton and re-opened on February 13^th. But he is sure to pop into the Coffee Shop on a Thursday night before then.

Regardless of what happens to Davis at the University level of competition and, hopefully, being able to train at the OTC and compete for a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, he has already acquired a group of followers right here on campus that are rooting for him.

He has already made it this far, by just having this opportunity placed in front of him, and getting there is half the battle.

Schneider earns reputation as Braves big hitter

Photo by Matt Smith, Pine Needle Sports Editor
-Sophomore Allie Schneider prepares for a serve in the Braves’ game against local rival Fayetteville State University. Schneider was last season’s PBC Freshman of the Year and is looking to lead the team in 2009.

By Nick Phillips
Asst. Sports Editor
Oct 1, 2009

Allie Schneider began last season as a little known freshman that opposing coaches and players did not know what to expect from.

The Cincinnati, Ohio, native ended the season well known to the rest of the Peach Belt Conference, as her play earned her the title of 2008 PBC Freshman of the Year.

In addition to that accolade, Schneider added the honor of being selected to this season’s Peach Belt Conference preseason All-Conference team.

“The coaches in the conference recognized that last year and so did I,” said UNCP head volleyball coach Jeff Billington on Schneider’s PBC Freshman of the Year honor.

“She deserved it. She truly was, hands down, the best freshman in the conference,” he added.

Player of the Year

Schneider sees herself as just another player on the UNCP team and said she was shocked to learn that she was selected as the award’s recipient.

“I didn’t expect it at all,” Schneider said. “I was proud of myself; I’ve never achieved that high of an accomplishment. I was proud.”

Her stats confirm what the Peach Belt Conference saw. The then-freshman led all Lady Braves in kills, finishing the season with 322, which was also good enough for third overall throughout the entire conference.

In a match last season against Lander, she recorded her career-high of 28 kills. She totaled double-digit kills in 15 of the 31 matches she played in last season.

“She came in and the team recognized she was a good player, and she ended up excelling,” Billington said.

Overall, she hit for a .220 hitting percentage while tallying 372.5 points on the year. Schneider’s 3.13 kills per set average was the highest among freshmen and third highest overall in the Peach Belt Conference.

Her 2.95 digs per game ranked her 10th in the conference, while she led the Lady Braves with a total of 36 service aces.

Billington hinted that the best may yet to come with Schneider.

“Allie has yet to reach her true potential in my opinion, and I think she probably feels the same way. We are hoping for the same success she had last year and then some,” he said.

For the team

With all the honors and recognition, and leading the team in several statistical categories, it would be easy for a player to feel nervous or added pressure to perform at the same level or higher.

“I do feel some pressure on me,” said Schneider, “but we have a much more dynamic team this year so that pressure won’t be on me again.”

Even though she jumped right into the team last season and became a leader in statistic categories, Schneider said she doesn’t feel like she is, or has to be, as much of a vocal on the court.

If people recognize her on the court for her leadership, that is fine with her. If not, she is still doing what she knows how to do, and she is still a leader, vocal or not.

Sophomore Schneider looks to lead Braves in 2009 season

“It could go either way. I like to be encouraging to my teammates, but I also like to be that person that steps up and gets the job done.”

When everything is said and done, Schneider values the team over the individual. She is more than happy to sit back and watch her teammates play hard and do well on the court than she is with herself being at the top of the stat sheets after games.

She said she would value a team oriented goal such as winning and a conference championship over an individual honor any day.

“It would be nice if I could have both at the same time,” she joked. “At the end of the day, it would be a lot better for us as a team to have wins and something like a conference championship.”

“Individual success leads to team success,” added Billington. “We have a lot of good players on this team, and Allie’s obviously one of them. We are hoping that it all comes together.”

A perfect season would end with the Lady Braves winning a conference title, Schneider and a host of her teammates making the postseason All-Conference team and Schneider’s stats looking like those she put up last season.

But perfection never happens, so the games will be played and the results fall in place as they may.

Whatever is the case, Schneider and her UNCP teammates will go out there and have fun playing volleyball and do what they do best.

A little UNCP stuff for you....

I decided that since I am the Assistant Sports Editor for the campus newspaper, I should show everyone a little of what I've been doing.

Visit www.uncp.edu/pineneedle/ and follow the 'Read Complete On-line Editions Here' link to read both the News and Sports sections. Pages will open as PDF files.

In newspaper, front page stories are called features. I have had several feature stories, and I am going to post my favorites here.

The first is about sophomore volleyball player Allie Schneider, who gathered the Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year award last season, and is on this season's pre-season All Conference team.

The second is a three part story we first brought to the campus' attention last March. Senior Braves wrestler J.J. Davis has had his experience of a lifetime, but it was all work and no play.

Read up! I hope everyone enjoys!

House Divided

We've all seen the cute little "House Divided" tags and stickers folks have on their cars, trucks and SUV's nowadays. I thought I grew up in one of those. Pops, from Michigan - a huge Wolverine fan and don't say Spartans in front of him, either - and Mom from good ol' North Carolina.

But mom wasn't a sports fan at all. Only "Divided" tag you can give those two is Pops has to watch the Wolverines somewhere other than the screen Mom had on.

Mom grew into a sports fan by going to Nick and Chandler baseball games, cross country meets and wrestling matches. Then morphed into a Gryphon fan that extended into basketball and football teams. I suppose since she graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High, she was allowed.

Far back as I can remember, Pop was Mee-chigan this, Mee-chigan that. Eventually, he upgraded the "M" to the "RM" hats, shirts and stickers.

So the house wasn't really all that divided, after all. "RM's" all around.

You've also heard the old saying "what comes around, goes around", right? You know me - Gryphon through and through. Utter dislike for anything not Gryphon Blue and Gold. I'm not putting up with Bulldogs, Firebirds, Golden Demons, Knights or Rampants. Nope. Not me.

Then came Mindy. From. . . .drum roll, please. (It's still hard to admit it, folks).

Western Alamance High School.

Yes, THAT Western Alamance High School.

House Divided.

But, wait. She's not a sports fan. Or, at least, she wasn't when she was in high school. I'm trying to teach her a few things & at least she puts up with it. UNCP Braves Football games (volleyball, soon to be basketball and wrestling), Red Sox Baseball on the Tube, non-stop ESPN. . . .she hasn't broken the TV yet, anyway.

So maybe the house isn't that divided after all. Mom and Pop have RM. Mindy and I have the Black and Gold.

"GO BRAVES".

Gryphons in Schock?

I have to admit, the further I get from high school, well, the further I get from high school. I am almost ashamed to admit that I have only been to one Rocky Mount Gryphon football game this year and Conference play has already started. Where does the time go? I've been home one weekend since school started & mom and pop have been down here to Pembroke three times? That's a switch. We've had a couple of tailgate sessions & watched the Braves win football games together, but I haven't made it to watch the ol' ball team.

Last year, as a freshman, I really wanted to come home to see the Gryphons play football. I didn't make it every week, but I made sure to come back to see the big games. This year has been different. Pops and I talked before the season started & we pretty much agreed that with the young offensive line and defense, the Gryphs would be. . .right about where they are now. At least win-loss wise, anyway. I'm not sure why everyone I talk to is in shock at the record.

I will back home this coming weekend and I'm really looking forward to getting out to the game Friday night. And I feel good about the remaining schedule for the Gryphs.

Let me go out on a limb here, for all you folks that are down on the Football Gryphons. The start of the season was not what we have been used to for the past several years. The Gryphs have not looked like a State Championship Contender most of the time. But rest assured, the team is getting better. The guys are growing up before your eyes. And just like children, before you know it, they're going to do things that amaze you.

The Gryphons are undefeated in conference play. Who is going to stand in their way from winning a championship? Northern? Southern? Some team from Wilson County? Come on. These are the Gryphons. These guys are not used to losing. They are used to working hard and stepping up to the challenge. Did you see what they did to those pesky Bulldogs last Friday? Expect more of the same.

Believe me. Believe them. You watch.

Dad says so.

Go ahead, Gryphons, Schock everybody.

Rocky Mount Spring Sports Banquet

Rocky Mount High School recently held their sports banquet in the school gymnasium. The Booster Club hosted a nice evening for the Gyphon athletes, serving chicken and barbeque plates before the awards were handed out.

Hats off to the Boosters for their continued support of Gryphon athletics. If you're not a Booster Club member and have a son or daughter involved in one the school athletic programs, please think about joining. The booster club relies on support and participation of parents for their success, and in turn, the success of Gryphon athletics.

One last pat on the back for a few members of the wrestling team, and one more reminder of how we all need to embrace each and every day we wake up.

Francisco Alfaro was named the NEW 6 Conference MOW (Most Outstanding Wrestler), which is the equivalent of "Player of the Year" in most other sports. Nice little cap to the end of a great high school career.

Alfaro and Dedrick Silver were named co-MOW's (MVP's) by coach Jermaine Jones, while Guy Williamson garnered the "coach's award". Here's one last look at Alfaro, Silver and Williamson's four years at Rocky Mount High - who were Jones' first wrestlers he coached from Freshmen to Seniors:

Alfaro/Silver/Williamson 4-year File:

12-time Regional Qualifiers
5-time State Qualifiers
11-time Conference Placers
4-time Conference Champions
10-time All-Area Selections
2 Team Conference Champions
3-time Team State Qualifiers
341 Individual Match Victories

Pretty good coaching there, Mr. Jones.

Contributing to some of those team accomplishments was Grant Wilson, who also wrestled 4 years for the Gryphons. An emotional Jones and Athletic Director Mike Gainey presented Grant's framed singlet (jersey) to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson during the awards presentation. The team had signed the matting encircling Grant's memory, hoping it would help keep his memory alive.

As the Wilson's came up to accept the gift, Jones and the team exchanged emotionally charged and lovingly given handshakes and hugs with their fallen teammate's parents. The student-athletes of Rocky Mount High School, parents and coaching staffs rose to their feet, applauded, and - unashamedly - wiped the tears from their eyes.

I need to send out Special Congratulations to Chris Pittman, who received the Juan Chesson Award and Erica Wesonga, who garnered several awards, including Female Student athlete of the Year.

I had the good fortune of playing baseball for years with Chris. Erica and I were teammates for 3 years on the Cross-Country team.

***Chris is now living here on campus at UNCP, not too far from me, as a red-shirt freshman football player. He and Nick Harrison are both on the Braves' Football roster this fall.

It's been awhile...

OKAY, OK.

Dad is right. I took way too much time off from feeding the Blog. Time to start up again. Here's hoping that there are still some folks out there who check in on me occasionally and will spread the word that I'm finally back to work here.

I found this tidbit in my draft file that I never posted. Normally, I would have hit the delete button, figuring it's too old to post. But after actually reading it, I felt as though there is some information here that may stir some emotion and give proper credit where maybe there wasn't enough at the time. So here is the original that I failed to post. Maybe this will give me a good starting point to go from.