J.J. Davis from Byrnes and JC Oddo from Eastside. Photos Copyright ©2004 Mark Buford.
JC Oddo vs. JJ Davis
I saw this coming when I read the Sunday sports scores after Thanksgiving. JC Oddo vs. JJ Davis.
When JC Oddo rocked in at a solid 160 lbs. at the RB Sandiford Invitational held Nov. 27th in Charlotte
I knew it was coming. JC moved up 25 pounds in the off-season. JJ gained 8. The first big matchup
of 2004-2005. Two nationally ranked wrestlers twenty miles apart, I just knew it was going to happen soon,
but was not aware both Eastside and Byrnes were in the Hendersonville tournament - JC Oddo vs. JJ Davis
- it happened quickly on December 4th. One wrestler beaten, the other now considered our state's best.
JC would easily win his weight class in NC 11-27-04 at the RB Sandiford tournament with a pin in the Finals.
First big test at 160 lbs. over, accomplished, glory.
JJ quietly surprised the nation with a National title a few weeks earlier. That spoke pretty loud.
Honestly, I couldn't believe the fans would get treated to this premier match-up. Most superstars shun the
big early season match-ups because historically you don't want to put it all on the line till later in the season.
Half of me said this is what legends are made of ... going for the unthinkable conquest. Putting a freshman record
of 58-0 and a state championship up against the Pre-Season NHSCA National Champion and Most Outstanding Wrestler.
JC Oddo vs. JJ Davis.
I shrugged it off and figured maybe JC would go down a weight before the season progressed far, or maybe
JC would go up a weight and wrestle Bryant Blanton of Summerville. The conservative side of me said he'd
better go down and not face either one of them. Protect the record. Protect the streak. Bore us with safety.
This is when visions of Cael Sanderson emerged. The first ever 4x undefeated collegiate champion.
No 4x state champ in SC history ever went undefeated in 4 years. Would we see it happen these 4 years?!
This summer I began to pull for JC Oddo and wanted to see history happen. Much like when I watched
Hank Aaron break The Babe's record or saw the Miracle on Ice with the US Hockey team. Heck, we even
got to see the curse of The Bambino broken this year. I was ready to see some new records set in SC!
I was pulling for the sophomore from Eastside.
Sidebar one moment - one of the best decisions the SC Wrestling Coaches Association has ever made (in my opinion)
was to add a Premier Match-up at the North-South All-Star Match the last few years. Put the two best wrestlers
the fans and coaches and wrestlers would like to see grappling and save the match for last.
Turner vs. Humphries - 2004
Selke vs. Piper - 2003
These were classics, coming down to the wire with Turner and Selke as winners.
Both matches ending up as cover shots on Wrestling USA Magazine.
Let's leave the Sidebar and go back to the best match-up that wasn't saved for last ... coaches take note.
Giants and their records are meant to be conquered ... I'll always believe that ... and I can now
say as I get older with the years that the conquerors never seem to have any fear of losing. But, when fear
gets thrown aside we don't always find our champion we are pulling for get the hand raised. The freshman from last
year that mowed down 58 competitors, never shying away from anyone that was bigger on paper, finally lost
early in his sophomore year on December 4th in the Finals of the Falcon Frenzy Wrestling Invitational held
in Hendersonville, NC. JJ Davis won 3-0. Congratulations JJ, defeating every state champ you've faced this year!
The JJ Davis that has two state runner-ups and a 4th, but never an undefeated season or a state championship - yet!
JJ Davis would add the Most Outstanding Wrestler award at the Hendersonville tourney too, his second MOW of the year.
JJ Davis 3, JC Oddo 0.
Both wrestlers, JJ and JC, have the respect from fans across SC for the accomplishments they've achieved and
putting it on the line this early in the season. They are easily two of the finest wrestlers we have in the
state right now. And as a fan of the sport, I hope they continue to wrestle the best opponents they can face,
score their points, give up fewer and see the Gold eventually below their chins. Thanks for inspiring stories.
Article by Mark Buford