As Fauquier turns the page on another season it’s continuing having seniors move onto college wrestling. Senior Van Grimes has been accepted to go to VMI next school year and his plans are to continue in the sport of wrestling as he plans to wrestle for the VMI Cadets. VMI presently has an ex-Fauquier standout wrestler David Yost, who is a junior and is presently wrestling for the team.
VMI is nested in the foothills of Lexington VA, and is better known as a military college that fosters order, discipline, courtesy, and respect for authority. By placing all cadets on a uniform plane, it enables them to advance through self-reliance, initiative, and strength of character. VMI Cadets live within a military framework and is one of the nation’s oldest Military colleges.
As a Falcon Van is coming off a great senior year where he went 40-9 as he won NOVA Classic, Falcon Duals, and went 4-0 at VA duals which helped the team take 2nd place. He followed that up by be one of the team captains and leader this past season.
Coach Fisher on Van Grimes:
Van is one of the hardest working wrestlers that have come out of Fauquier. Van exemplifies what is possible when you wrestle year round even if you start late. Van began wrestling in 8th grade and he took to it like a fish to water. He won the prestigious Fauquier Wrestling Iron Man Award, awarded to the wrestler with the most off-season matches, for 3 years straight. This level of commitment to the sport made him one of the top wrestlers in Virginia, DC and Maryland. During his senior year, he was consistently ranked on the Washington Post’s All Met Individual rankings which encompassed much of Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia. Van completed his career at Fauquier as a 3x District Champion, regional champion, and 2x state place winner.
On a personal level, Van has been a great kid to coach. He is very personable and friendly and fun to be around. He also volunteers his time helping out with the younger wrestlers in the Fauquier Federation and Beltway teams. Van’s wrestling ability continues to improve with every practice. He is always working to improve an element of his game. Van will continue his wrestling career as he matriculates to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). I have no doubt he will continue his success for. VMI’s Coach Trudgeon as has previous Fauquier standout and current VMI cadet, David Yost.
Q - As you look back at your High School wrestling career, what is one of your memorable moments?
A - My most memorable moments in my high school wrestling career would have to be when I won districts my sophomore year. It may not seem like a big deal to most but it was to a kid I had lost to previously in the season. It was exciting to win because it was my first medal as a varsity wrestler.
Q - What made you choose VMI as a college that you will be attending next fall?
A - I chose VMI because I thought it would be the best fit for me. I had talked to David Yost a lot about it before I chose the school. I like that it's not a big school because I don’t think I would do well in a school with a lot of distractions.
Q - What are some short term goals through the spring and summer?
A - Through the summer I plan to spend a lot of time working out in the weight room and getting stronger. I'll definitely be working out in the wrestling room as well.
Q - Any words that you want to express with regards to the Fauquier Wrestling program?
A - It's given me a lot of good memories and I expect the same performance from teams to come that everyone has expected from us. Coach Fisher has what it takes to keep good kids coming in and making good wrestlers out of anyone.
Van most definitely will have his work cut out for him once he steps on the campus of VMI but like most Fauquier Nation people we all are thrilled to see him choosing to continue to wrestle at the collegiate level.
