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2017 All-Area Wrestler of the Year:  Jeffrey Allen

2017 All-Area Wrestler of the Year: Jeffrey Allen

 
 
 

Q: You entered your senior season as the overwhelming favorite to win a third state title. What was it like with the pressure of wanting to go out on top?

A: “I mean, there was some pressure, but you just have to do a good job of blocking it out, trusting your training. This year was good. I got to go to two big national tournaments, so I kind of felt like the toughest part of the season was behind me, and I felt confident, you know, working with my practice partners and the coaches. Of course, everything I’ve done in the offseason, I felt good. The main thing was just staying healthy and being focused.”

Q: Those national tournaments — Beast of the East in Delaware and Walsh Ironman in Ohio — that’s really where you test your mettle, isn’t it?

A: “Going to wrestle those better guys, it makes you better as a wrestler, just having to work for your points a little more. You learn a little bit every time you wrestle, and the tougher matches make you better.”

Q: So what did you learn about yourself this year?

A: “Well, I was the heaviest I’ve ever been before. I was at 220 to 222 [pounds], and that’s the heaviest I’ve ever wrestled. Last year at the [state] championship, I was, like, 193. This year, I was right at 220, so it was a little bit of an adjustment at the beginning of the season getting my conditioning back up. But the strength was a lot better. I felt like I shot a lot more. I was very confident on getting in on my shots. I did a better job transitioning takedowns to turns.”

Q: And that’s where you got your pins, right? That’s something you really seem to take pride in, pinning all your opponents in the postseason. What is it about pinning that makes it your goal?

A: “It’s the best way to win. I like it because, you know, you have a lot of guys who can win matches by a point or two. I like, if I can, to not leave any doubt out there.”

Q: The way you talk about wrestling, it’s obvious how badly you want to win. Where does that drive come from?

A: “People that are good at anything in life, you’ve got to really want it. … The thing is, you can break your opponent sometimes, and I know what that’s felt like before, and I don’t like it. … When you know that feeling of losing, it makes you want to work that much harder to not have that feeling. So I think that’s probably what gives me my drive is not wanting to lose, not wanting to let my family down.”

Q: You also seem to exude confidence. Where does that confidence come from?

A: “I think you’ve got to be somewhat humble, because there could always be somebody to come and give you a hard time. But your confidence, in wrestling especially, should come from knowing that you’ve worked hard. … You can’t have any doubt when you step out on the mat.”

Q: Let’s talk about the future. You’ve been committed to Virginia Tech for a while, but the program there just went through a coaching change. What are your thoughts on being a Hokie at the moment?

A: “I can’t control what the former head coach wants to do. You know, Coach [Kevin] Dresser was a nice guy. I can understand him moving to Iowa State. That’s not too far away from where he grew up. I think he had to make his own decisions that are best for him. But [Tony] Robie, the new head coach, he’s a great guy. He had a whole lot in recruiting me. So did Dresser, but Robie did a whole lot of work with the practices and the bigger guys anyway. … I think I’ll be all right.”

Q: So you have no second thoughts, then?

A: “No second thoughts. I had a couple other places recruit me, but around here, people are either Virginia Tech fans or UVa fans, and I like Virginia Tech. It’s close to home. It’s a big state school, so I think it’s a good choice.”

Q: And obviously VT is a top 25 program every year.

A: “Yeah, they’ve been in the top 10 the past four years … and they were sixth again [at NCAAs] this year. Their past performances were part of what helped me make the decision. It’ll be good, at Tech, to be in an environment where you have a whole lot of other people who have similar goals. Everybody there will be focused. Everybody wants to win.”

 

Q: What are your goals for your college career?

A: “Well, first I’ve got to start. I’d like to redshirt my first year, put on some weight and get stronger. … I’d love to win the ACC, and then to be an All-American or a national champion in college. At a school like Virginia Tech, they’ve been putting out guys who are All-Americans.”

Q: OK, now to the fun stuff. You can meet any person in history. Who would it be and why?

A: “I’d say Abraham Lincoln, because he did what he knew was right when a lot of people were telling him not to.”

Q: Favorite place to eat out in the Lynchburg area?

A: “Shakers.”

Q: What kind of music do you listen to?

A: “Just a variety, maybe some classic rock if I’m just hanging out. Like Van Halen, Eagles, some other older rock. And I like harder stuff, newer things for before matches.”

Q: What do you do for fun outside of wrestling?

A: “I used to hunt a lot. I don’t have as much time for that anymore. So now, I like grilling. I like watching TV, hanging out with my family. I’m not really a complicated guy.”

   
Author: Mark D. Robertson  
 

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