O-R Athlete of the Week: Cole Whitmer, Trinity
Name: Cole Whitmer
School: Trinity
Sport: Wrestling
Class: Junior
Whitmer’s week: Whitmer won the 195-pound weight class in the Tri-County Athletic Directors’ Association Wrestling Tournament at Trinity High School.
Whitmer opened the tournament with a bye, then pinned Robbie West of Fort Cherry in 4:30. Whitmer won the title with a 5-3 decision over John Vargo of Bentworth.
“I knew I had a shot at winning,” said Whitmer. “I just had to go out and wrestle smart, no mistakes and wrestle not to lose. I’d give my wrestling an A-minus.”
Whitmer came in as the top seed and became the second straight Trinity wrestler to win a Tri-CADA title. Giani Martini won at 113 pounds last year.
“As a freshman, he was in a (heavier) weight class. Everything that worked for him in junior high doesn’t always work at this level,” said Trinity head coach Mark Powell. “So he made some adjustments. … We spent a lot of time on foot movement and hand fighting. He’s gotten a lot better.”
Hot wheels: When he isn’t flying around on the mat, Whitmer is flying through the air on his dirt bike.
He is a competitive motocross racer for the Coastal Racing Team, has had a successful run through the amateur ranks of the Grand National Cross Country circuit and hopes to turn pro soon.
“My dad was a professional racer and mechanic,” said Whitmer. “I’ve been riding for a long time.”
Whitmer got his first bike at age 3, a PW 50. As he grew, the Yamaha dirt bikes he rode got more powerful and his love for the sport intensified.
“I love racing,” said Whitmer. “I race nationally and I go all around the United States.”
Whitmer competes in the Amateur Division and has won the 250A Class races at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris. His most recent win there came in the DC Veteran Homecoming race Sept. 22.
In the latest rankings of the Grand National Cross Country (motorcycle races), Whitmer is second in the 250B Class of the Bike Top 10 for 2018 with 172 points, just one point behind the leader, Ian Flynn of Greensboro.
“It helps me get in shape (for wrestling) because my races are three-hours long,” said Whitmer. “I race on a team and they send me the bikes. I get them ready to race.”
The cost for one bike can run as high as $15,000 once the bike is brought up to standard. Whitmer’s next event is mid-month in South Carolina and he expects to compete in five or six more before spring.
“Traveling is very expensive,” said Whitmer. “I want to try and go pro. I’m in the top amateur class, so next class up would be pro.”
Whitmer is able to balance his wrestling and racing schedules, but it can be difficult.
“Sometimes, it’s hard to juggle his love of dirt bike racing and wrestling,” said Powell. “I don’t understand (the sport). He and his dad, that’s their thing together. He loves it. I told him after the season that he has to teach me to ride.”
Compiled by Joe Tuscano