Hines and Eckhardt Set to Compete at Virginia State Wrestling Championship

James Madison High School senior wrestling captains Chris Hines (195lbs) and Connor Eckhardt (145lbs) will each be competing for the Virginia 6A State Championship at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax starting Friday this weekend.

Eckhardt arrives at the State Championship on the heels of a tough loss to Chantilly's top ranked Walter Carlson.

According to Warhawk Asstistant Coach James Allen, "We didnt see Connor at his best in the regional finals, and even so we saw a close match.  We will see him at his best this weekend.  He's been working hard all week and a state title is a real possibility for him."

With regard to Chris Hines, who arrives at the state tournament by virtue of his wrestling to a top four place in the Virginia 6A North Region, Coach Allen stated "You have to be excited for a kid like Chris - one who comes out after missing his junior season, electrifies the room with his energy and focus all year long, and turns that hard work into a trip to the state tournament.  He has some tough competition ahead of him, but he is a competitor.  Anyone who sleeps on this guy is going to get a nightmare."

Coach Allen added "this crew of seniors set the tone in the room that Madison Wrestling needed to reach new heights. We've had some great wrestlers in recent years, many talented athletes whose skill sets were arguably better than most of the wrestlers we had on the team this year.  The difference this year that led to our success was the change in attitude.  Our senior leaders expected each and every wrestler to come in focused and ready to lift heavy and drill hard.  These guys will be impossible to replace, but they're leaving a legacy of spirit that will live on for years."

Coach Allen concluded, 

"Though we are watching the sun set on one of our best seasons in recent history, I like to think we're only getting started.  We're all hoping that this is but the dawn of a golden-era for Madison Wrestling."