Post by Chad Bresette on Dec 15, 2006 15:20:27 GMT -5
CHILHOWIE – The J.J. Kelly High School wrestling team has long been one of the top Group A programs in Southwest Virginia.
Under the direction of head coaches Bobby Bates and Bryan Crutchfield, the Indians took home their share of Region D titles and churned out some of the top individual talent in the area.
So when Crutchfield resigned as head coach at the conclusion of last season to take an administrative position in the Wise County school system, J.J. Kelly turned to someone else with an impressive resume.
Shawn Dean, a two-time state champion at Castlewood, who had previously coached at St. Paul, took over the Kelly program for Crutchfield. So far the results have been positive.
"I love it here," Dean said.
Dean had even more reasons to smile on Thursday after the Indians collected victories over Galax and Chilhowie in a match at Chilhowie.
The Indians filled all 14 weight classes and have a solid nucleus of veterans that include Jeremy Gilliam (152-pound weight class), Vernon Kerns (160) and heavyweight Aaron Crabtree.
"We had to bump three tonight," Dean said. "We had one kid that was hurt and another didn’t make weight. We weren’t at our best and we had to do a little bumping up in weight classes … We have excellent numbers. We have 52 kids total, counting our little league program. We also have five freshmen and three sophomores. They’ve progressed pretty well."
Dean’s wrestlers have also adapted well to their new mentor. Dean was 140-pound state champion in 1989 and 1990 while competing for Castlewood.
Crabtree placed eighth in the state last year and appears stronger this season. He collected a pair of victories Thursday.
"Last year was great and I learned a lot from it," Crabtree said. "I’m just using that experience this year, and I’ve learned a lot of things with our new coach. I have plans to go pretty far with it."
Chilhowie coach Michael Henderlite was pleased with his young teams’ showing on Thursday, most notably 160-pounder Alex Russell.
"Every one of these guys are tremendous workers," Henderlite said. "We have a good team that works hard every day."
Russell picked up a wild 25-23 overtime decision over an opponent from Grayson County. As a freshman in 2006, he qualified for the state tournament at 152-pounds.
"I bumped up a weight class this year so that’s a little more challenging," Russell said. "It’s a whole lot harder. But I have a coach that’s teaching me."
As does J.J. Kelly.
www.bristolnews.com
Under the direction of head coaches Bobby Bates and Bryan Crutchfield, the Indians took home their share of Region D titles and churned out some of the top individual talent in the area.
So when Crutchfield resigned as head coach at the conclusion of last season to take an administrative position in the Wise County school system, J.J. Kelly turned to someone else with an impressive resume.
Shawn Dean, a two-time state champion at Castlewood, who had previously coached at St. Paul, took over the Kelly program for Crutchfield. So far the results have been positive.
"I love it here," Dean said.
Dean had even more reasons to smile on Thursday after the Indians collected victories over Galax and Chilhowie in a match at Chilhowie.
The Indians filled all 14 weight classes and have a solid nucleus of veterans that include Jeremy Gilliam (152-pound weight class), Vernon Kerns (160) and heavyweight Aaron Crabtree.
"We had to bump three tonight," Dean said. "We had one kid that was hurt and another didn’t make weight. We weren’t at our best and we had to do a little bumping up in weight classes … We have excellent numbers. We have 52 kids total, counting our little league program. We also have five freshmen and three sophomores. They’ve progressed pretty well."
Dean’s wrestlers have also adapted well to their new mentor. Dean was 140-pound state champion in 1989 and 1990 while competing for Castlewood.
Crabtree placed eighth in the state last year and appears stronger this season. He collected a pair of victories Thursday.
"Last year was great and I learned a lot from it," Crabtree said. "I’m just using that experience this year, and I’ve learned a lot of things with our new coach. I have plans to go pretty far with it."
Chilhowie coach Michael Henderlite was pleased with his young teams’ showing on Thursday, most notably 160-pounder Alex Russell.
"Every one of these guys are tremendous workers," Henderlite said. "We have a good team that works hard every day."
Russell picked up a wild 25-23 overtime decision over an opponent from Grayson County. As a freshman in 2006, he qualified for the state tournament at 152-pounds.
"I bumped up a weight class this year so that’s a little more challenging," Russell said. "It’s a whole lot harder. But I have a coach that’s teaching me."
As does J.J. Kelly.
www.bristolnews.com
