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West York Wrestling Alumnus
'98 - Justin Wilkins Q & A.
The Justin Wilkins
Q & A
A Foreword by
Justin's WY Senior Year Coach - Chip Fissel:
Chip Fissel
"I have a
lot of respect for
Justin Wilkins. Justin was the only senior on my first squad at West York ('97-'98).
At the time, the leadership role was bestowed upon him basically by
default! I am not really sure he wanted that responsibility, but
over Christmas break, we had a heart-to-heart about what I expected from
him and what he wanted from me. From that point he became the
perfect leader for what we named the "Great 8."
He was always willing to give back and help others, often the first and
last to leave elementary practices... and the kids loved him!
Justin was the man. If you didn't know Justin at the time, you
would have thought he was a cocky kid with no respect... as he had a
swagger about him and he liked to have fun. But, he was a very
humble young man who wore his heart on his sleeve. I will never
forget watching him win his District III 3rd place match and qualifying
for the PIAA State Tournament.
I have seen a lot of kids win matches, but Justin's
was different. You could tell that this is what he wanted and it
was as if the world was lifted off his shoulders. If memory serves
me correctly - Justin beat Lampeter Strasburg's Josh Walker, who then
wrestled at Penn State and became an assistant at UVA. Justin rode
him out with legs for the last full minute of the match - which was
awesome! That season, Justin also wrestled Doc Vecchio of Governor
Mifflin (PSU All-American). Justin had the stuff to go with all of
them!
My single regret is I only had one season with
Justin... who is a great kid! I would love to have Justin Wilkins
in my corner anytime!"
∙ submitted by former West York
Head Wrestling Coach - Chip Fissel
WEST YORK VARSITY
WRESTLING
1997-98 West York Varsity
Wrestling Team
▪
Front Row (L-R) Josh
Carter,
Justin Wilkins.
▪
Middle Row (L-R) Joe Bahn, Brock Mathison, Aaron Lippy, Todd Platts, Dave Lehr,
Jared Haas.
▪
Back Row (L-R) Juanita Allen, Monica Sheridan, Brad Markle, Corey Messinger,
Matt Fink, Assistant Coach Jerry Mathison, Head Coach Chip Fissel.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
'98
PIAA State Tournament
Qualifiers - Todd Platts &
Justin Wilkins.
WEST YORK VARSITY
WRESTLING
Photo by Kevin Drawbaugh of
JK Images
1995-96 West York Varsity Wrestling Team
1st Row (L-R) Ryan Wagaman, Jake Kotzman, Casey
Brenner, Kevin Scheivert.
2nd Row (L-R) Rob Ludwig, Josh Klinedinst, Chad Luckenbaugh, Todd Platts.
3rd Row (L-R) Brandon Luckenbaugh,
Justin Wilkins, Matt Sheridan,
Eric
Lehman,
Jon Knotwell, Jason Chamberlain.
4th Row (L-R) Asst. Coach Jerry Mathison, Head Coach
Bill Luckenbaugh,
Asst. Coach Kim
Wilkins (Justin's dad).
'96 PIAA
State Tournament Qualifiers - Brandon Luckenbaugh, Chad Luckenbaugh
& Eric Lehman. (Chad Luckenbaugh placed
6th at the '96 PIAA's)
The
Justin Wilkins Bio
Justin
Wilkins
West York Wrestling's Justin Wilkins
- graduated from West York
in
1998...
was a 1998 PIAA State Wrestling
Qualifier @ 160lbs. for Coach Chip Fissel, and had a career varsity
record of 99-35 (30th
on the West York winning % list). Justin also finished 2nd at the
very tough
Governor Mifflin Holiday Tournament @ 171lbs. in 1997. Justin
played football at West York, where he had started as a freshman!
Justin was a 3-time District III Wrestling Championship Qualifier.
Justin's head wrestling coach from his freshman year to his junior year
was Bill
Luckenbaugh... with his dad, former
York Suburban Trojan
standout wrestler -
Kim Wilkins... as
an assistant coach.
Justin has wrestled in the
York College Alumni Tourney... and also MAWA's, where he again plans to
compete this year in the open class. Since his graduation in 1998,
Justin has assisted with the Elementary/Youth program and most recently,
the Senior High program. Justin has helped form the Broken Cage
Wrestling Club along with Coach
Brian Gross.
Justin lives in West York
along with wife Carole (who he has known since his sophomore year at
West York) and has been married 10 years. Justin and Carole have 2
amazing children... Jaidyn (5 years old) and Kaiya (8 months old).
Jaidyn has been a staple on the wrestling scene since he has been able
to walk. Jaidyn practices with the "big" kids and takes a special
liking to at least one wrestler a season. Jaidyn plans to start
wrestling this year in the youth program. Justin and Carole hope
that he starts out early and takes his wrestling skills to the next
level.
Justin works for Brown's Glass (note: Bob Brown was a 3-time District
Champion and 3-time PIAA State Qualifier for West York!). Justin
likes to spend his spare time with his family... and anything outdoors,
along with fishing & hunting - especially
waterfowl!
I asked 1998 West
York Wrestling Alumnus and assistant coach, Justin Wilkins... to complete an
interview for the West York Wrestling Alumni website and fans.
Don Lehman
Don Lehman
Webmaster, Archivist & Owner of westyorkwrestlingalumni.com
The
Justin Wilkins Interview
by Don Lehman
DL
- Justin, thanks for taking the time to do an interview with me. I
know a couple of your leisure activities when you get the time are hunting & fishing.
Are you looking forward to deer season... and, which one do you prefer -
hunting or fishing? Why?
JW
-
Yes, Don... I've been
hunting deer with a bow since I was 14 years old!
I prefer archery over rifle
season but my passion is actually waterfowl hunting.
I do this locally, but I've also ventured into waterfowl hunting in
Maryland... and eventually would like to become a guide. I don't get the
chance to fish as much as I used to! I had to give something
up in order to spend time with my family.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- When I was in Junior High School @ West York... I knew your dad (Kim
Wilkins)
was a very tough wrestler @
York Suburban! Back in those days,
Junior High mat box-scores, as well as Senior High mat box-scores...
were routinely printed in our local York, PA newspapers with
team standings. We all
read the York papers to see the box-score results! Also, I
knew your uncle
Keith Wilkins
was a very good wrestler in his own right for
York Suburban High
School
in the late sixties. Then, we became High School wrestlers
and your dad Kim was still a tough competitor. I'll take a wild
shot and say that, along with your grandfather... who was a PIAA
wrestling official, wrestling ran deep in your family. When
did you realize that wrestling was in your blood due to the Wilkins
family history?
JW
-
I think I was about 5 years-old
when I began to wrestle. Growing up, I remember watching videos of my
Uncle Keith and my dad (Kim). I don't remember the days of my
grandfather (Pap) being a wrestling official, but I do know that
wherever we'd go - he would see someone who knew or remembered him.
People still ask about my
Pap when I see them.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- I know you are also related to the Haas family... another great
wrestling name from West York! Was there ever competition and
"ribbing" between the two families?
JW
-
No, it was always
a friendly atmosphere.
My dad actually ran around with
West York wrestlers in his day!
As for myself, I've always been close to Jared Haas (Jim's son) and
still am to this day.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- Family support, in my mind, is an essential part of being
successful in the tough sport of wrestling. I don't think I was
ever at a match whether it was you, your dad, your uncle, or your
cousins wrestling... that I didn't see a huge Wilkins/Haas family
throng in the stands! How important was that family support while
your were competing for West York?
JW
-
Family support was huge for me.
My family never missed a match or football game when I played,
except for when I broke my ankle during a football scrimmage against
Susquenita... and neither my mom nor my wife were there! Even when
I compete today, my family still supports me - but now my kids are there
for me as well. They also support the current West York Wrestling
team that is in a rebuilding process.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- Justin, what do you remember from your early days at the Youth level
and the Junior High level at West York? Who were your coaches and
who influenced you the most as a mat idol growing up?
JW
-
Jeff Meckley ('75 PIAA
runner-up) was my West York Junior High coach... and he was probably one
of my biggest influences. As for mat idols, I would have to say it
was Jeff Wolfe. During my 8th-9th grade years at West York, he
would pick me up to drill, run and lift weights.
Jeff Wolfe really
helped me become the wrestler that I was.
Thanks Jeff Wolfe!
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- During your freshman through junior years at West York,
Bill
Luckenbaugh was your head coach, along with assistants Jerry Mathison
and your dad, Kim Wilkins. What was it like to be coached by West
York's most successful wrestler? And, being coached by your dad?
JW
-
Wrestling under Coach
Bill Luckenbaugh was an experience!
He taught us a lot of great
techniques... but, I just wish he had been more intense with our
practices. We
played a lot of wall ball!! As far as being coached by my dad
(Kim), it was very nice because he was right there to support me (but he
never really said much). He left it to Coach Luckenbaugh and Coach
Mathison. I think I'll be the same way with my son, Jaidyn.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- Then, your senior year brought a new coach, Chip Fissel. Was
that coaching transition tough for you? What were the differences
in practices and coaching styles between Coach Luckenbaugh and Coach
Fissel? What did Coach Fissel mean to you?
JW
-
The transition was
smooth. It was
definitely an adjustment with a lot more drilling and
conditioning with Coach Fissel.
We had our differences throughout my senior season, but overall - I
thoroughly enjoyed his coaching style.
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DL
- You secured 99 wins in your career at West York... a 2nd place finish
at the Governor
Mifflin Tourney, a 3rd place District III Championship finish - and
a spot in the 1998 PIAA
State Wrestling Championships. Coach Fissel mentions (above) that
your District III 3rd place match with Lampeter Strasburg's Josh Walker
was one of his most memorable matches in 1998. What was it like to
win that match and secure, along with Todd Platts, a spot at the state
tournament? And, what was it like to wrestle at the PIAA's?
JW
-
It was an unforgettable
moment... not only because I knew that I was headed to the state
tournament in Chocolate Town (Hershey) but, because... just prior to
that match my Uncle Keith promised me a trip to Montana if I won!
That particular match was 0-0 going into the 3rd period and I was on
top. I turned him with something like 15 seconds left and won 2-0.
It was by far one of my
most memorable wrestling moments.
As for the '98 PIAA State Tournament, I didn't quite get the draw that I
had hoped for. I hit 1999 PIAA AA state champ - Mike Greenberg
from Canton, for my first match (Greenberg
was 4th in '98). Had they given out medals for the top 8,
(like they do now) I would have gotten a prized medal at states in 1998.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- You also played football at West York. What are your thoughts on
a common trend these days to become a "one-sport" athlete and train
year-round for that one sport?
JW
-
I think if your goal is to
become a standout in your sport, you have to focus solely on that sport.
If I had to do it all over again, I would wrestle year-round.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- Justin, what did you do in the off-season to train for your sport
activities at West York? Is there something you wish you would
have added or done differently back in the day?
JW
-
During the off-season... I
would train by running and lifting weights, wrestling in tournaments and
attending wrestling camps.
If I had to do it all over
again, I would have wrestled a lot more freestyle and greco-roman
tournaments.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- What is the most difficult part of being a wrestler these days?
And, was there something you didn't like to do during your wrestling
days? Conversely, what did you like most about the sport back in
the late nineties?
JW
-
The most difficult part
about wrestling these days is "still" the self-discipline it takes to be
a successful wrestler. It takes a lot of hard work and
tears of pain. Some kids don't realize what it takes to be a
wrestler and they end up quitting - just when it starts to get tough.
There wasn't really anything that I didn't like about the sport and
practices during my days as a wrestler at West York.
What I really did enjoy was
meeting and making new friends in the wrestling circuit from other
schools. I guess
you could say that something I wasn't real fond of was when I'd have to
wrestle one of those friends!
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- It seems like you have been volunteering your time to the West York
Wrestling program for years! What drives you to be a coach and a
mentor to young athletes these days?
JW
-
I started out
by volunteering at West York with the elementary kids.
I wanted to help try and make a
difference at the youngest level in order to help build up our program.
I started helping out with the Senior High kids the year that Coach
Brian Gross started.
I do this (volunteer coach) because I just enjoy helping the kids to
become not only better wrestlers, but better people in general. I
can only hope that I can continue with this program while my son,
Jaidyn, comes up through the ranks.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- How does the West York Wrestling Team look this year?
JW
-
It's going to be another
rebuilding season... but, we've got a lot of potential for more wins
than we've had over the past few years. The kids have worked
really hard in this off- season and hopefully it will pay off for
them.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- It sounds like you are getting your son, Jaidyn, off to an early
start with the sport of wrestling! Is there such a thing as "too
early" to start this very tough sport?
JW
-
Some people may think
that starting too early may be detrimental.
My son (Jaidyn) has been going
to wrestling matches before he could walk!
Even at that young age, he would sit attentively and watch. He's
gone with me to regular season practices as well as to open mat and
Broken Cage Club practices... and his all-time wrestling hero is
Billy Randt (which he
blurts out as one word!!). Jaidyn has started wrestling this year
and at first was nervous because he "didn't know the moves." After
explaining to him that he would learn the moves by going to practice, he
wanted to try. Now, he always asks when it's time to go to
practice again! Neither my wife Carole or I would ever force him
into any sport - but, we do encourage him to at least give it a try!
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- I just saw your dad (Kim) a month or so ago - and I always ask... "How is
your dad doing?" Your Grandpa Wilkins was such a staple part of
the local wrestling scene and I don't see him as much as I would like
to. And, when I do see him, he always asks how my sons Eric
and Todd are doing by name? How is Grandpa Wilkins doing?
JW
-
My Pap is getting old and has
suffered a few set backs with strokes over the past few years. He
was always supportive of me in my day and I know that he would love to
still come and watch, but things just aren't as easy for him as they
used to be. It is difficult for him to get around and it just keeps
getting harder. He was just recently hospitalized, but he always
seems to bounce back.
He's a tough one!!
note: We all pray and hope that "Pap" Wilkins gets
better!
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- Justin, I want to thank you for sharing some great memories with the westyorkwrestlingalumni.com website readers!
JW
-
Don,
thank you for this opportunity!
∙ You can
e-mail Don Lehman
HERE!
__________________________________________________
WEST YORK WRESTLING YOUTH CLINIC
2010
∙ Coach
Justin Wilkins (red
shorts) teaching a "double-leg"
takedown.
__________________________________________________
▪
Justin
Wilkins
is listed on an all-time WY team...
▪
West York Wrestling
Alumni.com All-Time Wrestling Team
__________________________________________________
The West York Wrestling
▪ Governor
Mifflin Tourney "Wall of Fame"
J. Wilkins - 2nd & 3rd.
__________________________________________________
Justin's
"Uncle Keith Wilkins"
- wins '68 Section Title!
1968 YCIAA Sectional
Champions
▪
Front (L-R)
Charles Vaughn (York High), John Rabenstein (York Suburban),
Larry Haas (West York), Bill Luckenbaugh (West York).
▪
Middle (L-R) Bob Gardner (York Suburban, Joe Knoch (York Suburban),
Don May (Eastern).
▪
Back (L-R) Bill Thomas (York High), Glen Eby (West York), Hank
Claiborne (York High),
Keith Wilkins (York Suburban), John Sprenkle (West York).
∙
LARGER '68 PHOTO PAGE
__________________________________________________
1971 -
Kim Wilkins
(Justin's dad) - @ York Suburban High School...
@ (154lbs.) - '71 YCIAA Sectional runner-up to Spring Grove's Dave
Bowersox.
▪ View the... '71
York Sunday News
Article
by Larry A. Hicks
__________________________________________________
PIAA State Finals '38-'73
PIAA
State Finals '74-'10 A/AAA
PIAA
State Finals '74-'10 B/AA
__________________________________________________
Other Archived
Q & A
Interviews by Don Lehman:
Billy Randt,
Rod Stough,
Jeff Wolfe,
Keith "KRW" Warehime,
Randy Blasdell,
David Maday & Jason Abel
Turnbull, Mary Jane &
John T. Toggas,
Jon Trenge,
Wilmer Pressel,
Dr. Bill Welker,
Mike Stambaugh,
Todd Reynolds,
Gary Narber,
Fred & Matt Callahan,
K.C. McCleary,
Brian Kuntz,
Dr. Perry Tallman,
Charlie Jacobs...
&
more!
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