Edisto’s Justin Ballard says wrestling is an addiction.

His parents remembered when Ballard called them from school saying he wanted to try out for wrestling. Ballard’s dad, Rodney “Tubb” Ballard, had always encouraged his son to participate in sports, mainly baseball. But wrestling?

“I was like ’what’s wrestling?’” he said. “I’d seen Rick Flair and things like that. I didn’t realize how tough a sport it was. It takes dedication.”

A four-year wrestler at Edisto, Ballard committed Tuesday to wrestle at Spartanburg Methodist College in the fall. The student-athlete had also been accepted to the University of South Carolina, Clemson, Limestone College and the University of North Carolina, Pembrook.

“After the visit (to SMC) I really liked it,” Ballard said. “The campus style, the setting, it wasn’t too big. Everybody was nice. Wrestling is a tough sport. I got addicted to it. I love the adrenaline rush. The practices are tough, but it’s worth it.”

A two-year team captain, Ballard was third place state wrestling competition finalist in 2005. He also has a 3.95 GPA and is in the top 10 percent of his class. SMC coach Adam Haymond said it was those characteristics that had the college looking at Ballard for a while.

“We started following Justin last year; he didn’t really know that,” Haymond said. “We wanted to target him early. We knew he was a blue-chip kid — academic student, good character, a good wrestling kid — that’s what we want. ... We feel he will bring a lot more to SMC. We look for him to be a team leader.”

When asked what he wanted to bring to the SMC wrestling team, Ballard quipped, “I’m hoping they bring a lot to me. I want to learn a lot and get some experience.”

Edisto wrestling coach Raleigh Jackson described Ballard as a quick study, a quality leader and very dependable. Jackson said he will miss Ballard as well as his family.

“From a good block falls a good chip,” Ballard said. “He’s got great parents. They were our Booster Club. ... He’s been a dream to work with. We became a team. We’re going to miss him. Wrestling is where you recruit the family, not just the kids. He represents the whole household.

“Coach (Haymond), we turn the family over to you.”

You must be logged in to comment.