Diamond or Coal

By Coach Brian Tolston

As the season begins to wind down for the Miller Grove wrestling team you often hear the phrase “Diamond or Coal” as the team prepares for the state championships.  When asked recently about the phrase by a passer by in practice I quickly explained that the only way a diamond becomes valuable is the pressure applied to it over time.  The analogy was a perfect term for the direction many of our wrestlers have taken as many have proven themselves to be diamonds instead of just coal.  Recently seniors Alton Hill, Carlton Benjamin, and Jacob Mitchell captured Area 6-AAAA region championships in their perspective weight classes while senior Dominic Walker captured third, Junior Wesley Williams captured second, Senior Joseph Aiken third, senior Antonio Deas third, Sophomore Thadius Nelson third, and first year wrestler Duane McKenzie fourth.  The student athletes stepped up to the challenge this year and set many records for Miller Grove wrestling 27 wins, 3^rd place finishes in the county championships and area championships and a top ten placement in the state rankings.  Although the season draws to a close and the head coach prepares to step down to pursue an educational opportunity, the wrestlers have promised that everyone will see the diamond he has helped develop over the years.