With a first period pin in his first match at the Pierce-Davis Invitational, Chandler Phillips joined that elite club Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, faster than his three former teammates.
Phillips had his sights set on getting number 100 sometime late in his junior year, but a knee injury kept him out of 12 matches. He started out the year needing 10 wins to get the magical number. Ten matches into the new season is exactly all he needed to record number 100.
Chandler's run to 100 has included wrestling in half of the 14 weight classes, bridging the gap from 112 through 145 through his career. As a freshman he was conference champion at 112 pounds, but was bumped up to compete at 119 for a handful of matches. As a Junior he primarily competed at 125, where he was again conference champion, but also wrestled at 130 at times. Last year as a Junior, he captured his third consecutive conference crown at 135, but also bumped to 140 when needed. This year he has split time between 140 and 145.
As both a freshman and sophomore, Phillips was defeated in his state qualifying match at the regional tournament. He capped off last year with an appearance (and a win) at the NCHSAA State Individual Championships and finished within the top 10 3A wrestlers in the state at 135 pounds. He was one of only five underclassman in the 3A 135-pound bracket, and has set his goal to return as a senior.
After winning the first match at PDI Saturday, teammates held up signs from two sides of the mat, with "100" printed on them. The announcement came over the loudspeakers before he was off the mat. There were high-fives, fist bumps, hugs and pictures taken. Friends and family held up big 1-0-0 numbers from the stands. After that short celebration, Phillips was all business while winning his next two matches to extend his record to 12-0, get wins 101 and 102, and take his second first place finish in as many tournaments this year.
Witnessing 3 century winners last year, and with Phillips reaching the milestone this year, it may seem that the 100 win plateau is easier to reach that it actually is. Gryphon wrestling fans will have a while before they see another athlete reach 100, as no current senior or junior appears to have a shot at reaching the career number. But, with coach Jermaine Jones' leadership, the current crop of sophomores and freshman will know it is attainable.
- Scenes from Phillips' 100th victory match Saturday -
(photos - Nick Phillips)
(photo - Scott Phillips)
Phillips with Coach J.J Jones after career victory #100
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