In arguably one of the most successful Dolphin athletic programs, Cape Henry Collegiate’s Varsity Wrestling has won 11 TCIS Tournament Championships since 2008, features 11 National All-Americans since 1992, and boasts over 50 TCIS Champions. However, over the weekend, this week’s Athlete of the Week, 8th Grader, Chris Parker, accomplished a feat obtained only once before by a Cape Henry student-athlete, becoming the second Middle School student to finish 1st in the TCIS Tournament.

“Chris serves as a great example on and off the mat,” Head Coach Jack Effner stated of Chris Parker. “His work began back in August, where Chris Parker showed above-average commitment, work ethic, and improvement. Chris’ consistency in the fitness room focusing on strength training paid off tremendously throughout the season.”

Chris kicked off his season with a 6th place finish in the Cape Henry Collegiate Invitational and steadily improved from this point forward. In his very next competition the following weekend, Parker finished the All-VISAA Invitational in 3rd behind three pins in just over a total of four minutes of wrestling. Fast forward to the Fred Diem Invitational and Chris helped guide the Dolphins to an overall 1st place finish with his five pins and 3rd place finish. Chris finished with a 5-1 record in conference duals and wrapped up his regular season with an overall record of 13-13.

“Chris possesses the unique ability to put in the day-to-day work, and to go out and give his best no matter what the task,” Coach Effner continued of Chris. “He doesn’t miss practices, doesn’t make excuses, he just pays attention and works hard every day.

This past weekend, Cape Henry Collegiate’s Varsity Wrestling program competed for the TCIS Tournament Championship. For Chris Parker, this was his chance at redemption after falling to his Norfolk Academy counterpart on January 16 in a hard-fought, 6-4 decision. Chris received a bye into the semifinal matchup where he pinned the Bishop Sullivan 120-pounder at the 4:45 mark to advance to the finals. Once again paired against Norfolk Academy’s McGuire McMahon– a VISAA State place winner in 2018– Chris flipped the script and won the come-from-behind, 11-5 decision to earn his first TCIS Championship and Cape Henry’s 11th team championship.

 “Winning his first TCIS Championship as an 8th grader is a very special accomplishment, and for a very deserving wrestler! His habits on and off the mats make getting better and seizing every opportunity possible for Chris,” Coach Effner finished.

Chris joined the exceptional company of Luke Harvich by winning the TCIS as a Middle School student-athlete and now is set to wrestle in his first VISAA State Tournament. Finishing the year with a 15-13 record, as well as winning the TCIS Tournament, Chris will now enter the upcoming tournament as the 5th seeded wrestler. The Dolphin community will keep an eye on Parker’s development for the next four seasons, but will first need Chris to continue his hard work tonight in the VISAA State Tournament beginning at 5:00.