Devin Carter's Climb to #1

Football season is over, yes that is depressing, but I woke up to very good news this morning. The Hokies have a wrestler ranked #1 in the country at his weight class for the first time since 2002. Devin Carter is the top wrestler in the country at 133 pounds, I'm probably more impressed with this than most of you because I have watched him wrestle from the time he was a freshman in high school.

Devin Carter, born in New Jersey, moved to Christiansburg, VA to wrestle for Coach Dresser, now the Hokies head coach, as a freshman. Devin started at 103 pounds for Christiansburg, but I was told he only weighed 95 pounds at the time. As a freshman he made the state finials, and lost on a takedown in overtime to, now Appalachain State wrestler Tony Gravely, causing him to bring home the silver medal. I guess Devin liked gold better, because he never lost another VHSL tournament in the rest of his career. He compiled a career record of 199-15, just one win from the elustrious 200-win club.

After his senior year, Devin moved on to wrestle for the Hokies in Blacksburg. An ACC rookie of the year selection, as well as an ACC academic honor roll selection, Carter compiled a freshman record of 35-7, and won the ACC tournament, receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament where he made the round of twelve and was one win from the medal round.

This year Carter has hit the mat with a purpose, amassing a season record of 21 wins to just one loss. His one loss came to Ohio State freshman Logan Steiber, whom Carter battled during his high school career as well. His biggest win came during the finals of the Midlands, where Carter upset Iowa's 133-pound wrestler, Tony Ramos, in OT. It was this win that ultimately gave Carter the top spot. Iowa's Ramos and former #1 ranked wrestler from Oklahoma State, Jordan Oliver, battled in an OT thriller Saturday night with Ramos coming out on top.

The fact that Carter beat Ramos, and Ramos beat Oliver vaulted Carter to that #1 ranking at the 133-pound weight class. The hard work and determination of Carter shows, after Intermat revealed the rankings this morning. Don't expect Devin to stop here though. He will continue to work hard until his hand is raised and he wears that gold awarded by the NCAA.

DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.

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Cheri
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