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.