Earlier this month, AB Today reported that a high school in Arizona hosted a girls' wrestling meet at its football stadium during sixth hour of the school day. Now comes word that another high school clear across the country in Virginia has been hosting school-day meets for two years.
As reported by CBS affililate WTKR in Norfolk, Granby High School on Friday hosted a quad meet during school hours with Lake Taylor, Currituck, and First Flight. Students were allowed out of their classes to pack the gym and cheer on the Comets.
"It's completely different. Most schools don't bring out their whole student section," said Granby sophmore wrestler Keith Fernandez. "It's a really unique thing we do. When you win, it's just a great feeling."
"I've never had my hand raised with that loud of a reaction before," said Comet junior wrestler Alex Rippel. "The energy is unmatched. It's awesome to see all my friends out and getting to watch us."
It's the second year in a row that Granby has tried the concept, with athletic director Chris Harris estimating they distributed upwards of 600 student tickets this time around.
"They're usually wrestling at some tournament and nobody is watching except for their parents," he said. "To have their friends, their peers watch them here, it's just a cool experience for them."
It's quickly becoming a day that Comet wrestlers are circling on the calendar, according to WTKR's Zach Staton.
"Definitely gets you more hyped up, more excited for the match, more energy," Fernandez said.
"We're the only one's doing this right now," Rippel said. "And I hope it catches on."
