Carroll County junior wrestler Logan McCollum is one of the leaders of the Cavaliers’ grappling squad. Last season, he finished fourth in the Region IV Tournament in the 152-pound weight class to earn a berth in the Group AA Wrestling Tournament in Salem. In this week’s installment of Talking Trash, we will try not to offend him too much as we don’t particularly feel like getting chicken-winged or put in the guillotine. Enjoy!
What was the experience like going to the state tournament as just a sophomore last year? It was just a great experience, and it was even better that Gavin (Scott) also made it. We both won some great matches to be able to get there, and it was good to see all of the top guys in the state wrestle under one roof.
What will it take for you to make it back to Salem in 2013? It’s going to take a lot of hard work and trying to get better every day.
Correct pronunciation - wrestling or rasslin’? Explain your answer to the class. Well I say wrestling. It just sounds more proper.
How big of a hothead is head coach Jason Morris? Most importantly, details, we need details. Morris really only gets heated if someone doesn’t make weight, or if someone isn’t wrestling up to their potential. All I know is that if I mess up on something I’m going to end up doing it until I get it right.
Morris is bigger, but Assistant Coach Joe Shumate is a former state champion at Carroll County. Who would win if these two locked up in the ring? How long would it take and what would be the finishing move? Morris and Shumate are both amazing coaches. They always seem to be in a great position for defense or a takedown. I think Morris would win because of the weight advantage, and the finishing move would probably be a takedown out of an underhook.
Do you prefer to wrestle at 160 or 152 pounds? I prefer 152
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done to cut weight in time for a match? We really don’t do a lot of weight cutting. Morris and Shumate always tell us to keep a good diet and get extra workouts in. I was a pound and a half over at one tournament though, and I had to put on some sweats and ride an airdyne bike for about 25 minutes.
Why did Coach Morris used to call you molasses and why does he now call you gravy and/or orange juice? Well when I first started wrestling I was really slow going in for takedowns. It all started at a home tournament where I took a shot on someone, and he had enough time to go get a drink and something to eat from the concessions, go say hello to his parents, talk to his coaches, and still have time to defend my shot. And he calls me that now because I have slowly gotten quicker on my takedowns, and he says I’m as fast as orange juice now.
Those familiar with the wrestling program tell me the expression on your face would be the same if you won the state title or if Cael Sanderson stole your lunch money. Why is that? I try not to show any emotion when I wrestle, because if you show your opponent that he’s making you frustrated then he gets a mental edge over you
How epic would a wrestling match between you and Cael Sanderson be? Cael is a great wrestler and coach. A match against him would definitely be tough, but I would just like to learn from him and talk about him going to the Olympics and winning gold.
How come you always seem to have a black eye, and how much do your teammates joke about it? I’m a physical wrestler, and because of that I take a few elbows or knees that give me some black eyes. My teammates joke about it all the time, but I really don’t mind the black eyes that I get. I kind of like them.
What is your favorite wrestling hold to apply on an unsuspecting foe, and why? I like to use underhooks the most. There is so many things you can do out of one, and it also makes me look faster because I have good positioning.
Ever thought about wearing your singlet somewhere other than the wrestling mat, like prom, for instance? And what kind of looks would you expect to get if you did wear your singlet to prom? I have thought about it and I’m sure I would get some funny looks. Joey Rotella did wear his at school for one of the sprit week days freshmen year though.
Who is the toughest opponent, including teammates in practice, you’ve ever had to wrestle? I would say all of the seniors that were in the room my freshmen year.
How fun do you think it would be to slap an armbar on Assistant Principals Roland Hall or Adam Joyce, you know, just for poops and giggles? I’m not going to say too much, but I think it would be fun.
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