Cape Henry wrestler Sam Law

VIRGINIA BEACH

Cape Henry wrestling coach Jack Effner has to make sure Sam Law, a 160-pound senior, is challenged.

It’s a difficult task.

Law, who finished seventh at 145 in the National Prep Championships last season, is one of two wrestlers on the Dolphins’ 26-man roster to place at the highest level. The other is sophomore Will Mason, who was fourth at 103.

To challenge Law, Effner got some inspiration from the 1985 movie “Vision Quest” and decided to employ it against his star.

“I called it the Sam Law Challenge,” Effner said. “All the kids lined up against the wall from our lightest to heaviest and Sam was in the middle. They form a circle around him and start pounding the mat, and Sam's got to work his way around the team.”

Added Law: “We started with take downs, then (from top position) I had to ride them out for 30 seconds and then (from bottom position) had to escape in 30 seconds.

“I won every one -- and we went around the circle six times.”

Effner kept a watchful eye on the action so not to push Law too far, and was pleased at the two-fold results.

“Sam handled it well,” he said. “Physically, he hit the wall and pushed right through it. All the other guys see that and want a piece of it.”

Added Law: “Their whole goal is to break me and that helps my conditioning. For the guys, just one of them wants to get a take down - they’re all rooting against me and that helps build the team up.”

The task helped Law, who last year also repeated as a Tidewater Conference champion and won a state private-school crown.

“His belief in himself has really improved - he’s a confident person,” Effner said. “Last year, he had some doubts when facing a worthy opponent. And he’s turned into a man right in front of me - mentally and physically, he’s come a long way.

“And he pays his dues. After a practice I know I’ve worked them really hard, he’ll come and ask if he can go in the weight room afterwards.”

Law, who is headed to Virginia Tech, said last year he was better earlier in the season and his strength faded toward the end. This year, he said he’s kept up his energy levels with extra gym work.

“Last year, he was so thrilled to win conference and states,” Effner said. “It was a goal to place at nationals.

"Now (conference and state titles) are expected and he’s a legit contender to win prep nationals.”