By Travis Keely
Contributing writer

Wrestling is like no other sport. There are no timeouts. There is no instant replay. There is no halftime and there are no ties. Wrestling is not a sport for the weak of heart. It takes a strong work ethic, determination and desire to be a champion in wrestling. Every wrestler that steps on the mat to compete is carrying on a centuries-old sport. The Romans would gather and have wrestling matches 4,000 years ago, when the term Greco-Roman wrestling was coined.

The 2008-2009 Powhatan High School Wrestling team has been simply amazing. How can I say this with such certainty? The current team record is 21-3. This is despite giving up two weight classes every match. In wrestling there are 14 weight classes and we only fill 12 of the classes. A forfeit in a weight class equals 6 points for the other team which means we are down 12 points before each match starts.

This year’s group of wrestlers is a unique blend of characters. Starting off at 103 pounds is Dave Bowers, a first-year wrestler with the poise of a veteran. This young man had never stepped foot on a wrestling mat until this year and has finished first in the Powhatan Invitational and third at LCA Invitational (26-team tournament).

Wrestling next at 112 pounds is Joseph “The Hammer” Girgente. He is the best wrestler on the team and one of the team captains. It is just not the way he performs on the mat, but also how he performs in the classroom. He has higher than a 4.0 GPA taking mainly honors classes. He finished first in the Powhatan Invitational and second at LCA Invitational (26 team tournament). Last year Joseph finished third in the Western Section, second in Region 1 and was a state qualifier while he was only a sophomore.

At 119 pounds is Seth Kern. This young man wrestles with more heart than you can believe. He has battled through illnesses and continues to wrestle with everything he has. Seth placed first at the Powhatan Invitational.

At 125 pounds is Josh Vaden also one of the team captains. He has wrestled with a collarbone injury and continues to show guts and determination every time he steps on the mat. Josh finished second at the Powhatan Invitational, second at The Little Giant Classic (12-team tournament), and 6th at the LCA Invitational (26-team tournament).

Wrestling at 130 pounds is Cody Haislip, a freshman and the first Powhatan youth wrestler on varsity. Cody placed third at the Powhatan Invitational and third at The Little Giant Classic (12-team tournament).

Next at 135 pounds is Samantha Ayers, the only female wrestler on the team. She is also the only female wrestler to win a varsity match at Powhatan. She is undefeated against other female wrestlers in her career.

Wrestling at 140 pounds is Charlie Bennett. This young man is a jokester off the mat, but on the mat he is all business. Charlie is the kind of wrestler who will go non-stop from start to finish. He placed first at the Powhatan Invitational going 5-0.

Next at 145 pounds is Malcolm Keeton, a senior. He is a team player. He will wrestle any weight class necessary, no questions asked.

Wrestling at 152 pounds is Winston Hall. He is the first five-year Powhatan wrestler. He started in 8th grade on the JV team. This young man is a team captain and a flashy wrestler. Winston placed first at The Little Giant Classic (12-team tournament) and second at the Powhatan Invitational.

Next at 160 pounds is Charlie Ayers. This is a young man who keeps you on the edge of your seat winning more matches in the last 10 seconds than conceivably possible. Charlie finished first at the Powhatan Invitational, third at The Little Giant Classic (12-team tournament), and fourth at the Cosby AAA Invitational (12-team tournament).

Wrestling at 171 pounds is Vance Hendren. I like to refer to this young man as Mr. Money in the Bank. When he walks out on the mat I know he is going to pin his opponent, shake hands and walk off. Vance is also a team captain. He placed second in the Powhatan Invitational, third at The Little Giant Classic (12-team tournament), and fourth at the Cosby AAA Invitational (12 team tournament).

Last but certainly not least at 189 pounds is Sam Green. This young man is unbelievable. He only weighs 165 pounds but wrestles each match giving up 24 pounds! Sam continues to dominate on the mat and is the only Powhatan wrestler to make it to Regionals as a freshman, a feat he accomplished last year. He placed first at the Powhatan Invitational and third at The Little Giant Classic (12-team tournament).

On paper the Powhatan High wrestling team should not win many matches, but wrestling does not take place on paper, it takes place on a mat.

I am proud to have coached this spectacular team!