Joining the Cape Henry ranks as a freshman and quickly finding a home in the Varsity Wrestling program, this week’s Athlete of the Week, senior Jackson Kassir, made an immediate impact on the program and continues to excel on the mats four years later. Kassir boasts an impressive wrestling resume and to this point in the year sits amongst the top of competition throughout Virginia. With a kind heart and intangibles to match, Jackson is poised to complete his Cape Henry wrestling career atop the conference and state.

Jackson has years of experience wrestling in arguably the most difficult weight class. The 170 – 182-pound weight class is one of the most competitive and strenuous weight classes to wrestle in, and he has wrestled here across the entire span of his Dolphin career. Jackson has accumulated 49 career wins in the same stretch, while currently boasting an 8-2 record early in the 2018-2019 Winter season. Highlighting the eight victories, Jackson competed and earned a 1st place finish in this past week’s Norfolk Academy Invitational in which Kassir led the Dolphins to 4th place.

“At the Norfolk Academy Invitational, he received a bye in the opening round. In his quarterfinal match, he was down 5-2 going into the third period and came back to score a late pin,” Coach Effner described Jackson’s performance at the Norfolk Academy Invitational. “He won 4-2 in his hard-fought semifinal match over Bayside, and in his finals match, he was taken down early and fell behind 2-0. He regrouped and quickly reversed his opponent to his back and won by pin all in the first period.”

Earlier in the year, Jackson finished 3rd in the CHC Invitational with a 3-2 outing against stiff local competition. He followed this performance with a 2-0 outing at the All-VISAA tournament and earned 1st place against the State’s top competition. With two 1st place finishes and one 3rd place finish at this point in the season, Jackson has earned the respect of the conference, as well as, the entire state. Jackson will enter his next competition as the TCIS top 182-pound competitor, and fourth in VISAA rankings. With his current statistics, Jackson appears to have the DNA of a top wrestler.

“Jackson comes from a wrestling family, his father wrestled and helps coach our team,” Coach Effner continued of Jackson. “His younger brother Colby is on our team and also having an excellent year. He also has a younger brother, Dylan, who we hope will join us soon.”

The years of attending camps, clinics, and other various training have paid dividends for Jackson’s career. As a freshman, he finished 4th in the TCIS Tournament. During his sophomore and junior years, he completed 3rd place finishes. As his performances continue to improve, Jackson is poised to earn a 1st place finish barring he competes at the height of his abilities.

The bottom line, as Coach Effner put it, “Jackson knows wrestling and has the potential to have a banner year.”

Coach Effner finished of Jackson, “He is probably the kindest wrestler you will know; the problem is that doesn’t help on the mat. As he continues to find a way to turn his mean switch on when needed, he will be tough to beat!”

The Dolphins feature a strong class of seniors who, with continued work and dedication, can have a championship season. The Dolphins will continue to improve throughout the Holiday break and will return to competition in the new year for the Liberty Christian Invitational in Lynchburg, Virginia on January 4.