Wrestling Records Broken at States
By Jamie Dillon
March 3, 2010
Jamestown Wrestling had two goals going into this season: to finally earn the respect they deserve and to qualify for the State Tournament. After placing third overall in the Regional Tournament and having five wrestlers qualify for the Virginia AA State Tournament, both goals were finally accomplished.
This is the highest achievement Jamestown wrestling has ever completed. Wrestlers who qualified for the State Tournament include Charis Chillers (285), Rory Dillon (189), Sid Hall (130), Francesco Messina (215), and Nick Platamone (140).
Out of the five wrestlers to qualify, Sid Hall and Francesco Messina placed in the tournament. Both Hall and Messina each went 2-3 to earn eighth place in their weight classes.
“Winning eighth was bitter sweet” Messina said, “I placed in states with only two years of experience, but after watching my matches I think I could have placed higher.”
Charis Chillers and Nick Platamone ended their season going 0-2 in the tournament. Rory Dillon was unable to finish the tournament after receiving a concussion during his first match.
Dillon finished the match, winning 10 to 5, but was unable to compete in the rest of the tournament.
“It was extremely disappointing to work so hard and go so far to only have it taken away by a freak accident” Dillon said.
Four out of the five state qualifiers this year were seniors. Chillers, Dillon, Messina, and Platamone said they were pleased to end their senior wrestling season going to the State Tournament. Hall, only a sophomore, plans to make it to states again, “It was very rewarding, but I hope to win it next year” Hall said.
Coach Kyle Cowles, with this only his second year as head coach, was pleased how his team finished the season.
“I was very proud of the team, especially the five state qualifiers,” Coach Cowles said. “The state tournament was all that I thought it would be. We had some very tough wrestling and some gut checking experiences, but Jamestown wrestlers showed up to wrestle that whole weekend. Overall we passed last year in all categories and accomplished our goals, and now we must keep the winning tradition going next year and the year after that.”
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