This week’s Athlete of the Week, Freshman Taz Thompson, is the consummate model of perseverance. Taz is in the process of earning his first Varsity Letter as a member of the Dolphin Wrestling program and has done so with hard-work and dedication at the forefront, the values that have built the Cape Henry Wrestling Program.

“He has really matured throughout this season,” Head Coach Jack Effner said of Taz. “The confidence he has gained throughout the year has affected him greatly in many aspects at Cape Henry. He has made leaps both socially and academically, as well as, on the wrestling mat.”

Taz currently boasts a 21-12 record in his first Varsity season, and more impressively, earned a TCIS title in dramatic fashion.

“Most wrestlers work very hard to achieve a conference title before they graduate, but Taz accomplished it in his first season on varsity,” Coach Effner continued. “And the way he earned it was very special and an important lesson that will make him stronger in other areas of his life.”

Having to face a wrestler who previously defeated Taz three times over the course of the season, most athletes would begin to doubt the ability to pull out the victory. However, as Coach Effner asserted, “Taz worked hard all season, he hasn’t missed a single opportunity to improve, and he went out in his finals match and totally turned it around.”

The Freshman took to the mat and dominated from start to finish, pinning his opponent at the 5:03 mark to earn the elusive victory and earn 1st place TCIS honors in the 113lbs. weight class. Popping up with the biggest smile on his face, Taz learned a valuable life-lesson: hard work, dedication, and confidence lead to success.

Coach Effner added, “As a coach, it’s something you work for with every athlete. We work for a young person to learn consistent hard-work, self-discipline, and believing in yourself is the secret to success.”

“He has a good game plan and a set of techniques in all three start positions of wrestling. I think if he wants to, Taz will keep getting better and better,” Coach Effner finished.

Winning a TCIS title as a Freshman is an exceptional honor, but Taz’s journey has just begun as he will most likely enter the VISAA State Wrestling Tournament as a Top-10 seed. Cape Henry will travel to Woodberry Forest for the State Tournament this weekend, with Taz Thompson and the Dolphin Wrestling Program peaking at the right time.