Off to a Quick Start: Elizabethton’s Wells making noise in wrestling
Published 2:37 pm Thursday, July 27, 2017
Just seven months into her career, Elizabethton sophomore ShaMia Wells is already making a name for herself in girls’ wrestling.
Over the summer, Wells racked up some big finishes in national level tournaments as she competed for the Tennessee National Team. Wells most notable performance was at the Body Bar Women’s Nationals in Irving Texas, where she became Tennessee’s first female wrestler to win the 100-kg weight class. She also pulled off another Tennessee first by placing fifth in the 220-pound division during USMC Junior Women’s National Freestyle.
During freestyle season, Wells has received coaching from former Happy Valley wrestling coach Eddie Morrell, who said seeing someone excel as fast as Wells is not typical.
“It’s rare,” said Morrell. “The competition that she sees in those weight classes have two to three years of experience on her. It is really rare for someone to come up and just start winning like she has been doing.”
Before her entrance into the world of wrestling, Campbell competed on the football field. Before her first day on the mat, Campbell believed that she would come in and dominate but soon realized how tough grappling could be.
“I was expecting to walk in here and blow everything out of the water,” said Campbell. “I walked in and got a taste of reality.”
Looking back at her successful summer, Campbell said she is surprised with how well she has done so far.
“I didn’t expect it,” she said. “It took everything in my coaches to actually make me a good wrestler.”
Morrell added that Campbell’s quick rise in wrestling could be in part due to her football experience. He also said that her short time in the sport allows for her to be more coachable.
“ShaMia came in and showed a lot of strength and body control, stuff she has developed through football,” said Morrell. “She is really an open canvas. She can learn anything you throw at her. She has a real thirst for wanting to get better and compete at a high level.”
Also this summer, Campbell placed first at the South East Regional at 220 pounds in Atlanta. At the Folk Style Nationals in Oklahoma, Wells finished 6th at 220. In high school wrestling, Wells won the region exhibition at 220 this past season.
Wells has also wrestled under coaches Donnie Shipley and Doug Badon. Wells said she is excited about the upcoming high school girls’ wrestling season.