T.C’s best wrestler has solidified his place among Virginia’s top athletes. On February 17, Zion Marshall placed fifth in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) State Championship. This event took place at Oscar Smith High School. The T.C student, with the support of his father as coach, reached the States tournament for the first time in his career.
“It’s good that I made it to States and placed but I felt as though I could have got third,” Marshall said of his fifth-place finish.
Marshall is not disappointed with his place but believed that he could have done more to push his opponent. Although, wrestling matches take a toll on a wrestler’s body because they last all day. In this case, this event also took place in the span of two days which required Marshall to wrestle both days. Marshall had to overcome the tiredness and pain from the matches prior to the second day.
“A whole lot of blood, sweat, and literal tears went into the training,” Marshall said of his journey to the state tournament. He practiced six days a week during the season.
Marshall diets harshly to supplement his treaining, and his strict diet allows him to maintain his weight within his weight class.
Marshall said, “Every day I eat something terrible to stay on weight.”