Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507170078
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Preston Hall really enjoys wrestling, but there is one serious drawback to his success - traveling.
``I like the competition, but I don't like the driving,'' said the 11-year-old Blacksburg resident, as he nervously anticipated his 1995 folkstyle wrestling debut Saturday in the Virginia Commonwealth Games at the Roanoke Civic Center. ``I usually get carsick or very thirsty. But before we leave, I usually get hungry.''
There are two things the Hall family really has gotten accustomed to in the past four years - traveling and winning. Since 1991, Preston has wrestled in tournaments in Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia. His 49 tournament trips have produced a long list of credentials: 24 gold medals, three Commonwealth Games titles, two state MAWA (Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Association) championships and a two-time finalist for the CITGO Male Athlete of the Year Award for the Commonwealth Games. In the past two years, Preston had compiled a 91-7 overall record before competing Saturday, including 31 pins this season.
Hall picked up wrestling four years ago from family friend and former Virginia Tech grappler Kelvin Bergsten, and has gone full-speed ahead since.
``It almost became an instant love for him,'' said Preston's father, John Hall. ``It was like something inside of him said, `This is for you.' He went to his first tournament after practicing for just two days and he took third place.''
With the ability Preston has displayed on the mat, it would be easy for such a young person to be overwhelmed by the success and become arrogant and selfish. Not Preston.
``He likes to instruct, and if he knows some moves that may help his peers, he is willing to teach,'' said Preston's father, a financial analyst.
While other wrestlers were running around, anxious to get on the mat and display their skills, Preston quietly sat in the stands with his father and church camp counselor, Will Campbell.
``It feels normal to me,'' Preston said before winning the gold medal in the 80-pound novice class. ``I just want to have fun and learn new moves.'' And then going into further detail as a poised, veteran performer would, Preston said, ``It's like a game of chess, move and counter,'' an analogy he uses in reference to another of his passions.
Maybe Preston's courteous acceptance of success is a natural trait developed. But chances are he learned his classy ways at home.
Like any other parent who pushes his or her child to succeed, John Hall wants Preston to win . But Preston's competing is about more than bringing home the victories. It's about building their father-son relationship.
``It's humbling,'' John Hall said of Preston's success. ``We are so close. I want him to wrestle for himself, but I also know he wrestles for me.''
Then, with a big grin on his face, John Hall said, ``He's my boy. I am very proud of him.''
Even Preston's mom, Debbie Hall, realizes her son's wrestling success probably is a little bit more special for John Hall than it is for the rest of the Hall household.
``I usually leave the traveling to the fellows,'' said Debbie Hall, after she and her daughter, Meghan, arrived at the Civic Center following Meghan's soccer game in New River Valley. ``I usually stay home and get the food ready for his return.''
There is a price to pay for success, and Preston experienced a painful situation Saturday. In his first match, Preston led 11-0 before pinning his opponent. After the pin was called, Preston sprawled in pain while his opponent lay flat on his back in frustration. Apparently, the loser bit Preston while being pinned.
``This is the first time something like that has happened,'' John Hall said.
If the youngster keeps winning at this rate, it may not be the last.
by CNB