Wrestler Trades Sparring Gear for Megaphone
Brandon Castle, O&B Staff Writer
Issue date: 9/18/09 Section: Features
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"I never thought I would become a cheerleader," Brimmer said. "It kind of just happened."
After the wrestling team finished 7th in the East Regionals last year, the athletic department cut the program. Despite the numerous All-Americans and winning seasons, the team was forced to find other things to replace the sport in their lives.
Brimmer had been wrestling his entire life and was devastated to hear the news that there would no longer be a program at C-N.
"It came as a complete shock," Brimmer said. "I don't think any of us saw it coming, because the program was so successful and popular."
Brimmer joined the cheer squad for the athletic scholarship, to stay in shape and take some of his free time off his hands. Luckily, his strength and ability from wrestling is helping him pick up the tumbling and stunting aspects quickly.
"I never know what practice will be like," Brimmer said laughing. "The girls always have me working to get better in stunts and tumbling. They all say I am doing okay. The best part about cheering is definitely being around girls all the time."
At the September 10 football game against Campbellsville University, Brimmer made his debut in the team's pregame performance and on the sidelines during the game.
"It's very different from being on the [wrestling] mat," Brimmer said. "It is a lot less stressful, but that makes it more fun because I feel like I'm constantly a part of the action - just in a more indirect way."
Other former wrestlers are finding ways to stay in shape, just like Brimmer. Ken Pierson, Cody Pierson, and Justin Browning are running cross country for the Eagles. The Pierson Brothers are returning to the team from two years ago. Browning is joining the team for the first time.
Instead of converting to a different sport, Tom Minwell, Landon Hall, and Josh Sprewell left Carson-Newman to wrestle at other schools. Minwell is currently enrolled at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. He was a national qualifier and an Academic All-American at C-N. Landon Hall, who was also a national qualifier, and Academic All-American Josh Sprewell are currently enrolled at Limestone College in Gaffney,SC.
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