Wrestler, Jasper High School

Words by Micah Harrison | Images by Justin Hunter

When Liam Dell arrived in Jasper from Tampa, Florida, before his first year of high school, wrestling was barely on his radar. He had never stepped onto a mat, watched a match, or considered that the sport might become part of his life.

Three years later, Liam is a state qualifier preparing for his final season with Jasper High School, and the sport that once sounded like a crazy suggestion has become the one he cannot imagine giving up.

The move from Tampa to Jasper brought a dramatic change of scenery for Liam. Although he had spent time in Jasper growing up visiting his great grandparents, much about his new home was unfamiliar. Still, he knew he wanted sports to remain part of his life. He had run track and played basketball and soccer in middle school, and his father encouraged him to find an activity at his new school.

“My dad told me, ‘You’ve got to find something to do at school,’” Liam says.

When his father suggested wrestling, Liam was skeptical. The sport had not been popular at his previous school; therefore, he had not realized wrestling was something he could pursue.

That changed quickly when he mentioned the program while enrolling at Jasper High School.

“Within five minutes, she had Coach Otis on the phone,” Liam says of the vice principal who helped connect him with the team.

Liam spoke with Jasper head coach Tripp Otis and decided to take a chance on the unfamiliar sport. Otis gave the first-time wrestler one firm condition.

“He said, ‘If you join, you cannot quit,’” Liam recalls.

Liam kept his word.

At the beginning of his freshman season, he weighed only 92 pounds and competed in the 106-pound weight class. Before he could earn a place in the starting lineup, he had to defeat teammate Leo Garcia in a wrestle-off.

Liam won the spot, but he gained something equally valuable in the process. Because they were close in size, Liam and Leo became practice partners. Over the next three years, the two continued training together, and Liam credits Leo with playing an important role in his development.

Learning the sport was one challenge. Competing in front of a crowd was another.

“Every time you walk out to the mat, your heart is racing,” Liam says.

For Liam’s first match, Otis simplified the task: He instructed the freshman to rely on a single move. Liam followed the plan and earned an 18-9 victory.

That first win marked the beginning of steady progress.

Liam advanced to sectionals as a freshman, winning one match before losing two. During his sophomore season, he moved between the 106- and 113-pound weight classes and reached supersectionals, where he finished with two wins and two losses.

As a junior, Liam remained in the 113-pound division throughout the season and reached a goal he had been working toward since his first year on the mat: qualifying for the state tournament.

He earned one victory there, adding another milestone to a career that had begun with no previous wrestling experience.

Now entering his senior season, Liam plans to move into the 120-pound division. His goal is not simply to return to state but to improve upon his performance there.

The freshman who once knew almost nothing about wrestling has become an experienced competitor with three seasons of growth behind him and one final opportunity ahead. Along the way, an unexpected suggestion became a defining part of his high school experience.

“I just love the sport,” Liam says. “I love to step on the mat and wrestle, and I am ready for this season.”

This time, there is no uncertainty about whether wrestling is for him. There is only anticipation for what he can accomplish next. 78