Assistant Partersburg, Chris Means, who’s leaving, watches a match whereas Dominic Means, Proper and Daughter Cali Means look throughout final week’s state -week state tour. (Photograph by Jay W. Bennett)
Parkersburg – the place there’s a will, there’s a manner.
Final weekend, on the 78th annual Western Virginia State Combating Event, a bit of Parkersburg Excessive College was engraved within the report books, when Sophomore Huge Purple Dominic Means has secured the primary state title after setting Ben McComas from George Washington through the second interval of 144 kilograms.
Though the Senior Cali Means sister fought quickly afterwards and completed the state rating at 145, she first scored within the purple and white historical past father and a son has ever gained particular person state titles.
“I do not forget that I didn’t win a championship in my yr above and juniors and I actually do not forget that I made a whole lot of effort in that senior yr. I simply work a lot figuring out that nobody will be capable of beat me that yr. “” Father Chris, who closed a 3 -year -old group championship, as a senior in 1994, with the state title of 145 kilograms. “I wasn’t even conscious that it was one factor till Jenny Hannan advised me about it a number of years in the past and a sort of radar for us. At that second, I imply, it grew to become fairly intriguing and a singular factor, however all through his combating profession I’ve by no means tried to do my objectives.
“My aim was all the time to attempt to make him one of the best fighter I might assist. We hope that on this course of will change into a state champion sooner than later. Final yr, he was actually on the way in which for this and was derailed with some accidents and issues on the finish of the season, however, as if I mentioned that it was not the primary goal of being a state champion or perhaps a state champion 4 instances. It was certainly to be simply one of the best fighter who may very well be and he had this chance to be a really large fighter in highschool and to show this to everybody others. “
Means who’s the PHS athletics director and likewise an assistant coach for Matt Littleton, added “I believe the closest (father-son) was the coach (Joe) Handlan (1962 all of the divisions of 133 kilos) and his son (Jody). His son obtained his third (1994). “
The youngest fighter manner mentioned that “he was sitting there proper subsequent to him (father) when he really discovered about it. My mind by no means handed.
“It was only one factor that got here with it. It’s certainly solely a step stone to the lengths I am going to my profession. “
Dominic added the distinctive state of affairs “It is fairly tremendous. Larger issues to return right here quickly. “
Following the victory of the state title of Dominic, Coach Means adopted Cali to look solely quick, 5-Four, after getting the primary takeover.
“Historically, I attempt to maintain my feelings when I’m within the nook simply because I can all the time assume somewhat clearer when I’m extra with my head on the extent, as a substitute of letting my feelings fly up and down.” the daddy acknowledged.
“In the intervening time I’ve not tried to get too excessive, however I knew she was approaching and I wished to stick with her head and keep targeted on her match. After her match, she was very laborious and really shut. I used to be positively not down after her match. I used to be actually proud solely by the way in which he fought and will compete, as he may very well be there within the match and near him ultimately.
“As a substitute of being down or any destructive feelings, I used to be simply glad to have the ability to benefit from the second whereas leaving the carpet. It was certainly for the primary time, as a result of the battle is extra distinctive for boys and has all the time had gymnastics, which is extra distinctive for women, so I’ve by no means had an overlap in any sport since they have been 6 or 7 years outdated. They performed like youth soccer collectively, so I by no means had this overlap prior to now. This was certainly the primary yr during which we had any overlap and it was very tremendous to coach them each and to do each collectively on the similar time. “
Dominic added that he watched the ultimate match for his sister “clearly I used to be fairly enthusiastic about my victory with only a few minutes earlier. I used to be on the rostrum and as quickly as I bought off the rostrum I ran there to her nook.
“Despite the fact that he did not do it, I used to be happy with the way in which he fought. She fought laborious. She made just a few errors that got here with inexperience, however she fought very laborious and I used to be happy with her. “
Cali acknowledged that her youthful brother “He advised me not to take a look at him, however I couldn’t abstain and ran in entrance of the group and I screamed my head. It was nice. I wish to do it earlier trying again, however I nonetheless have not completed. “
Cali, who will be a part of her brother on the finish of this month for NHSCA Virginia Seaside Nationals, was the primary PHS woman to succeed in a state remaining.
“It is nice”, Cali solely added the entire expertise. “With my speedy household, it’s actually fantastic to have them there and really perceive sport. With gymnastics I do not know a lot, however once I like to listen to them and see them in struggles, it actually places a smile on my face, after which like my gymnastics household, I could not do it with out them. I introduce myself to apply late on daily basis, as a result of my practices overlap, however I’m very understanding and I assist myself no matter my battle and gymnastics, clearly. “
The least skilled manner of Mat emphasised and “I definitely could not do it with out these two.
“Random practices within the storage. Extra practices over breaks, I could not do it with out them. “
Added Dominic “It definitely introduced us nearer collectively.” Whereas Cali chemited “Sure” earlier than Dominic continues “And our relationships are a lot nearer now, after we have been the final months of combating collectively.”
After all, the largest query was what Dominic had for the championship and historical past making dinner.
“Sheetz. He went to Sheetz, ” Dominic mentioned with a smile. “I acquired a milk shake at Sheetz and it was fairly satisfying.
“I solely missed chipotle by about 5 minutes, so I acquired a burger with mozzarella sticks on it and a milkshake.”
Contact Jay Bennett at jbbennett@newsandSentinel.com