| Colt Howell – The Road To Recovery |
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| Written by Ronnie Sigmon -- Top Prospects Editor | |
| Tuesday, 01 August 2006 | |
 Most people know that Colt Howell wrestled for Alexander Central his freshman year and became a state qualifier winning one match at the state tournament. They also know that he transferred to Bandys high school the next year and won a state championship. What most people don't know are the trails and tribulations he went though starting only one week after winning the state championship. I did not have to do this interview to find out about the challenges he has faced in 2005, as his coach for the past two years, I have went through many of them with him. The way he faced these problems and overcame them has put him down in my book as one of the most courageous wrestlers I have ever coached. Q - RS: How old were you and just how did you get into wrestling? A - CH: I started wrestling when I was in the 6th grade. My dad would take me to youth tournaments in Caldwell County. Q - RS: Do you participate in any other sports? A - CH: I played football from the 3rd grade until the 9th grade. When I transferred to Bandys, I gave up football to concentrate on wrestling. Q - RS: Do you participate in any other clubs or community activities? A - CH: I am active in my church youth group. We do some community service. Q - RS: Who would you give credit to in helping you become the wrestler you are today? A - CH: My family has been my biggest supporters. They attend all of my matches. My mom and sister also film my matches for me. You have been my coach, and you made me into a state champion my sophomore season. Q - RS: Colt, it was only one week after you won your state championship that your kidney problem flared up. Do you think all of the operations you went through in 2005 affected your wrestling? A - CH: Yes. When they put you to sleep so many times, you don't have the same coordination and balance you used to have. It affected me. I think I am back to normal now, but it took until this spring until I felt like I was 100%. Q - RS: They said you were born with a condition where your kidney did not drain properly and that this is usually caught in most kids with this problem by the time they were seven or eight. Did you experience any problems with this before? A - CH: No. Q - RS: How many times did they put you to sleep for operations? A - CH: I don't really remember. It was at least eight times from February to August of 2005. Q - RS: Back in August the doctors at Baptist hospital in Winston-Salem wanted to remove the bad kidney didn't they? A - CH: Yes. The doctors said they would have to remove my kidney, and that I would never be able to play sports again. My parents wanted to be sure of this, so they took me to Duke Medical Center for a second opinion, and Dr. John Weiner examined me. He said he thought he could help me with another operation and he did. Q - RS: When did they clear you to compete in wrestling? A - CH: It was about the second week in November 2005. Q - RS: So in short you and your family spent the entire spring, summer and fall of 2005 taking you back and forth to different hospitals and doctors trying to get you well again. A - CH: Yes. Q - RS: During this time did you lose hope that you would ever get to compete in wrestling again? A - CH: Yes. Q - RS: What are your short term goals for this summer and next season? A - CH: Next year I want to win another state championship. I also want to do well at senior nationals next spring. Q - RS: What about your long term goals? A - CH: I want to get a scholarship and wrestle at a college close to home. Q - RS: How is your college recruiting coming along? A - CH: I have gotten letters from a few schools. UNC Pembroke, Nebraska and West Point have sent me letters. At the last camp I was at, I worked out with Coach Bentley the new Appalachian State Coach. I would like to go there. Q - RS: What have you been doing to achieve your goals? A - CH: I had been working out regularly last spring with the Trojan Wrestling Club. Since school has finished, I have gone to two wrestling camps; St. Stephens's day camp and the UNC Pembroke Developmental camp. I also competed in the NHSCA National Open in Virginia Beach. Q - RS: How did you do at the NHSCA National Open? A - CH: I went 4-2 and was one match from making All-American. Q - RS: What are your GPA and SAT scores? A - CH: About 3.4 GPA. I am going to take the SAT this fall. Q - RS: What are your wrestling accomplishments? A - CH: I was a state qualifier as a freshman. I was a regional champion the last two years and a state champion in 2005. Last year I placed 3rd at the state tournament. Q -RS: What weight do you think you will compete at next season? A -CH: Most likely 160lbs. Q - RS: What other interest do you have besides wrestling? A - CH: My dad and I restore cars. I also like all kinds off out door activities. RS: Colt, thanks for the interview. Good luck next year. CH: Thanks coach. |
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