Athlete Spotlight
Greenbrier wrestler Jay Adkins looks like a giant when standing with the rest of the team.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
That is usually the case, however, with any wrestling team's heavyweight grappler. Adkins is about 50 pounds heavier than any other Wolfpack teammate.
He also is a gentle giant and a soft-spoken team leader for Greenbrier.
"He is a real good kid to have on your team," said Greenbrier Wrestling Coach Mike Meyer. "He works hard and does everything asked of him."
Adkins is the area's top heavyweight wrestler and one of the best in the state. He finished 10th in the state last season as a sophomore and has the opportunity to finish even higher this year.
Meyer and Adkins have talked about goals this year for the junior, and Meyer said he feels Adkins can finish in the top four in the State Traditional Tournament on Feb. 11 in Rome, Ga.
"Obviously, I'd like to win the state title," Adkins said. "But I just want to improve on last year. I know it is going to be tough, but I'd like to place in the top five."
Adkins won the region championship last season, but he had to deal with not having the opportunity to face quality opponents in the area.
"That is one of the things I think that really hurts me," Adkins said. "When I go up against those guys that wrestle other top heavyweights I'm at a disadvantage. I just don't have someone that big to practice against."
Adkins joined the wrestling team as a freshman to stay in shape for football, but he said he has learned that it is "just as exciting as football."
He was selected Second Team All County last season after the Wolfpack suffered a disappointing 3-7 season.
"That was a tough season to go through," said Adkins, who missed two games with a knee injury. "I think that has given me extra motivation when wrestling started."
Adkins' motivation has pushed him to a 28-3 record this year, and he is poised to make another good showing in Rome.
"First I want to win the region title, to get a good seed," he said. "Then I want to go out there and advance as far as possible."