BECKLEY —
Down 15-12 to Ripley’s Preston Martin with only 20 seconds remaining, Cole Williams knew he had to do something, and quick.
So, he did.
“I went for a go-for-it-all move and ended up getting pinned,” the Woodrow Wilson senior said of his match in the 152-pound finals at last Saturday’s Class AAA Region 3 tournament. “I would have won if that move would have worked.”
Williams had to settle for second place, more than good enough for a spot in the state tournament that starts Thursday at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington. Maybe not quite good enough in Williams’ mind — his goal, of course, is to win every match.
Considering where he had been, however, every time out is a victory.
While his teammates, as well as every other healthy wrestler, were competing throughout December, Williams spent more time Christmas shopping than wrestling. Torn ligaments in his shoulder sustained during football season kept Williams shelved for the first month of the season.
Finally, on Jan. 10, Williams made a successful return against Woodrow Wilson’s biggest rival.
“I didn’t want to have surgery and have to miss the whole season,” he said. “So we had a home tri-match with Greenbrier East. That was my first match, and ever since then it has been holding up pretty good.”
Williams wrestled twice that night, following a win over the Spartans’ Adam Zimmerman with a victory over Oak Hill’s Anthony Greene. It was then that Williams knew all would be fine.
He carries a 17-3 record into the state tournament, where he will take on Jefferson senior Chris Yenchko (27-9) in the first round.
Williams’ first big tournament was the WSAZ Invitational Jan. 18-19. He finished fourth in a weight class that included Greenbrier West’s Malik Boatwright and Huntington’s Paden Christian.
Williams lost in the semifinals to Boatwright, who wound up beating Christian for the championship.
“I got to the semifinals pretty easily, and we (he and Boatwright) had a battle back and forth,” Williams said.
“Considering it was my second (tournament), I was pretty happy with the outcome. But I always want to win.”
More importantly, his shoulder was holding up well.
“At first I was a little timid coming back. It was sore,” he said. “But now it’s 100 percent.”
Williams got over the injury, but the weather unfortunately proved to be a more formidable foe. Snow on the next two Fridays forced Woodrow to cancel trips to the West Virginia Duals and the MSAC Tournament, both in Parkersburg.
Woodrow coach Street Sarrett has been impressed with the way Williams has been able to perform in the face of adversity.
“That first weekend back he really showed improvement,” Sarrett said. “He looked good in regionals. We look for him to have a good state tournament.”
“I’ve just got to take it one match at a time and stay focused on the kid from Jefferson,” he said.
Considering what he has been through, Williams is likely to savor every moment.
--------------
Freshman Kyle Ayers was inadvertently omitted as a state qualifier for the Flying Eagles in Tuesday’s edition. He finished fourth in the 220-pound class at the regional tournament.
— E-mail: gfauber@register-herald.com
Today's Sports Front
Related Photos
-
Woodrow Wilson wrestler Cole Williams is ready for this week’s state tournament in Huntington. F. Brian Ferguson
Williams battling back
Shoulder injury fails to stop Woodrow wrestler
- Today's Sports Front
-
-
Woodrow downs defending AAA champs
It’s a play that Woodrow Wilson has practiced everyday this season and has rarely had to utilize.
It’s a good thing the Flying Eagles did practice it; it saved their season and led to a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Princeton. -
No repeat for Warriors
Independence has been on a tear offensively the entire month of May. It didn’t stop Tuesday, even against Wyoming East ace Derek Thornton.
The Patriots led 5-0 after two innings, and Brian Sexton — backed by that very offense and some sparkling defense — gutted out a complete game in a 7-5 win in the Class AA Region 3 semifinals Tuesday night. -
’Hounds hold off upset bid from Man Hillbillies
Valley’s potent offense never came to life, but the Greyhounds are still alive.
Valley (22-7) — with several players hitting .400 or better this season — could muster just three singles against underdog Man (6-20-1) in one of two Class A Region 3 baseball semifinals Tuesday, but the ’Hounds manufactured two runs in the crucial fifth inning to finally go ahead of the stubborn Hillbillies and escape with a 3-2 victory. -
WVU baseball team helps tornado victims
West Virginia University head baseball coach Randy Mazey was having lunch at an Oklahoma City restaurant Monday afternoon, keeping a close watch on the television set.
With every passing minute, the tornado that devastated the Oklahoma town of Moore, was moving closer and closer to his location and its path was being documented by a local television station. At one point, the coach even looked out the window to see if he could see the approaching funnel. -
Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship Format Changed
In the wake of this week’s devastating storm in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, the Big 12 Conference is postponing the start of the 2013 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship. No. 3 seeded WVU scheduled to take on Kansas at 4 p.m. (Central) on Thursday.
-
Patriots, Warriors meet in anticipated matchup
The matchup many people expected will take place today.
-
Fayette teams, Cavaliers vying for Class A spots
Two Fayette County baseball teams have advanced deeper into postseason play and will begin Region 3 tournament action today.
-
Epling already having a busy week for Miners
At this point a year ago, Sam Lewis was the only player on the West Virginia Miners roster to have reported to Beckley. All he did was pitch two no-hitters, and the Miners won the 2012 Prospect League championship.
-
Confident Mavs headed to states
From the outset, James Monroe’s mission was clear: Get to the state softball tournament.
-
Eagles get 2nd shot at Tigers
The road to the Class AAA state championship for Princeton last year went through Beckley. A repeat would require the same stop, but Woodrow Wilson is looking to put up more resistance this time around.
- More Today's Sports Front Headlines
-
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
