THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 1, 1996 TAG: 9601310159
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
MAYBE MICHAEL MERRELL should have given up wrestling.
After all, last spring during a soccer game he broke his back due partly to a genetic defect that caused his back muscles and bones to be weak. And Michael's brother, Thomas, who has the same genetic defect, after breaking his back last year, reinjured it in a wrestling match in December, ending his career. Furthermore, Michael, a Nansemond River senior who was recently accepted at the College of William and Mary, doesn't plan to wrestle in college.
Those are probably enough reasons to persuade anyone that it's time to hang up the headgear. But Merrell says he needs only one reason to continue wrestling.
``I just love the fact that it's total commitment to one thing,'' he said. ``I have to be in total control. I have to control what I eat, what I weigh. I don't think I could do the same for any other thing. I just love it.''
Merrell's dedication paid off last week, when, with a pin against Northampton, the 119-pounder raised his career record to 62-30 and became Nansemond River's all-time leader in wins.
``I hadn't been thinking about it,'' said Merrell, who went 10-12 as a 103-pound freshman and 21-8 in each of the last two seasons at 119.
``After the match, I counted up all my wins on the bench and realized it. Definitely, that was my goal.''
After breaking his back last year, Merrell wondered if he would be able to reach that goal.
``As soon as it happened, I wanted to find out what I could do to get back,'' said Merrell, who wore a brace for seven months and started rehabilitation by doing stretches before gradually moving to lifting weights. ``When I first started going, (my doctor) said, `How important is it? What are you going to get out of this? Are you getting a scholarship?' ''
No, Merrell told his doctor, college wrestling was not important. Because he's only 16, Merrell, who skipped third grade, says he would lack the strength to match up with older wrestlers in college. He just wanted to wrestle in high school again, and become Nansemond River's all-time win leader.
``Once (my doctor) saw the process I went through and the progress I was making, he said as long as I follow the guidelines set by the physical therapist, he gave me permission,'' Merrell said.
Merrell's parents had their concerns. ``They told me I couldn't wrestle until my physical therapist said my back was fit,'' Merrell said. ``It was totally my choice. They would back me one way or the other. My family was my biggest support group.''
Merrell said he was determined to return to the mat, but didn't want to risk permanent injury.
``(Wrestling) is a love, it's a passion to me,'' Merrell said, ``but it's not worth the rest of my life. I'm confident my back is healthy now. I'm not going to get hurt again.''
Merrell goes to practice an hour early each day to do exercises to keep his back in shape and make up for lost time in the wrestling room, which Warriors coach Doug Dohey says typifies the senior's work ethic.
``He's not a quitter regardless of the situation,'' Dohey said. ``He continues to battle back and fight back. He's not going to stop.''
Determination wasn't enough for Merrell to avoid being shaky in his season-opening match Dec. 13 against Bruton.
``It was frustrating,'' said Merrell, who first wrestled in gym class as a seventh-grader. ``My mind knew what I wanted to do, but my body wasn't willing. My body wasn't there. That gave me something to work for.''
Merrell says he's almost where he should be. He won his first match on points and has an 8-2 record before Wednesday's match against Poquoson.
``I haven't had really tough competition except for two or three matches,'' Merrell said. ``I have to work harder and prepare myself and give 100 percent in practice.''
Merrell says more important than returning for himself was coming back to help his team, which forfeited seven weight classes and lost 78-0 to Ocean Lakes to open the season.
``I had seen the team struggling because of lack of leadership,'' Merrell said. ``I knew I was the most experienced and I was anxious to give them something. It was real emotional.''
``He always puts the pressure on himself to go out there and win for the team,'' Dohey said. ``We started the year without seniors because of injury and some play football. They didn't have someone vocal to lead you that way. (Merrell's return) really helped the team.''
With the Warriors back at full strength, they are 9-2 overall and in a tie with Poquoson at 3-0 in the Bay Rivers District, and Merrell says he's beginning to focus on postseason.
Last year, a day before the region tournament, Merrell twisted his back and wasn't at full strength. He finished second in the region, but failed to place at the state tournament.
``I like coming off the mat knowing that I did my best, and I didn't wrestle my best last year,'' Merrell said. ``That was really a big motivation for coming back.''
Merrell has shown that a little motivation is all he needs. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
With a career record of 62-30, Michael Merrell is Nansemond River
High's all-time leader in wins.
by CNB