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| Sports - Osawatomie | |||
| Written by David Wolman | |||
| Saturday, 06 December 2008 09:00 | |||
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It was a sense of relief. Dec. 6, 2008. A 7-5 decision. For Central Heights wrestler Justin Ennis, a senior, it was the day he recorded his first career victory. Two-plus years of being on the losing end of matches was finally over. “It was a great feeling,” Ennis said. “It was a long-time overdue and I was just excited. I think the coaches were a little bit more excited than I was. It was great.” It was also a victory for people with disabilities. As an infant, Ennis appeared to be a normal, healthy boy. He and one of his sisters were born prematurely, but doctors didn’t detect any signs of either one developing any type of disease or disability in the first couple of years of their lives.  When Justin was 2 years old, he took his very first steps. Soon after, his parents started to realize there was something wrong. Instead of standing up with his feet like most young ones, he needed to use his arms to pick himself up. His inability to balance himself using his feet was not normal compared to other babies. Ennis’ parents soon took Justin to a doctor’s office, where the doctor said more time was needed to determine the severity of his disability or injury. After seeing Justin walk over a period of time and with series of tests to determine what Justin had, the doctor diagnosed Justin with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a non- progressive motor disorder that affects two in every 1,000 babies born, resulting from damage to the central nervous system. At the age where he was able to fully comprehend all of the complexities behind the disorder, Justin said it felt like somebody ripped his heart out. “I used to hate it,” he said. “I thought, ‘why does this have to happen to me?’ because I love playing sports and it gives you such a disadvantage. It’s like something was taken away from you.” A visit to Shriners Hospital in St. Louis changed his perspective on life. It was an eye-opening experience. “I saw a lot of kids that were worse off than I was,” Ennis said. “It made me mature a little bit and made me thankful for what I have.” In the third grade, he had surgery to extend the tendon in his foot. Before, he used to walk on his tip toes, a symptom of cerebral palsy. The scar from the surgery is still visible on the back of his left foot. Still it was an uphill battle. And it continues to be. Sports, especially football, has always been a passion of his. Ennis has been a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan since he was 7 years old. He continues to be. Asked if there was a moment that stuck out in his memory, he replied, “Watching them win.” Winning is not something the Chiefs have done too much of lately, but he continues to support the team through thick and thin. Ennis didn’t play sports growing up. But while in middle school, a friend of his asked him to come out and compete for the Central Heights Middle School wrestling team. Ennis declined the offer. “I was kind of skeptical,” he said. “He asked me when we were in junior high, but I didn’t want to.” He finally gave in to his friend’s request during his sophomore year at Central Heights High School. Justin said he now regrets not listening to his friend at first. Justin is now in his third year wrestling and is enjoying every minute of it. “Now I’m just addicted,” he said. Like living with cerebral palsy, he knew that it was going to be an uphill battle when he took to the mat, as he faced wrestlers who were much more experienced than he was. “It was pretty rough because you don’t know what you’re doing and you’re wrestling against guys who have been wrestling since they were really young and I was an amateur,” Justin said. Ennis could’ve made excuses, but he took the challenges he faced head-on. In the halls and in the classroom, he is respected highly by his fellow students and teachers. During wrestling practice, he is one of the leaders on the team. He also lettered in football this season. While he is winning in the classroom, wins on the mat didn’t come during his first two seasons. He came close a couple of times, but fell just short. Central Heights coach Randy Hinderliter has always believed in Ennis’ abilities, and said that his work ethic is second to none. Hinderliter said Ennis is a winner in his book. “I would imagine, it came from the fact, that throughout his life he has had to work very hard to do the things that most of us take for granted,” Hinderliter said. “While most kids were running and chasing, riding bikes and skateboards, Justin was struggling to walk. In the practice room there are some things that we ask others to do, that Justin just can’t. But if Justin can’t perform a skill, he is doing pushups or sit-ups or doing other exercises that will make him a better athlete.” Hinderliter and former coach Jeff Meyer went above and beyond to try and make sure Ennis would get his hand raised in victory at some point during his high school career. “It really is a battle to maximize his assets, which clearly is his upper body strength versus minimizing and hiding his weaknesses, which is clearly his lack of balance,” Hinderliter said. Ennis’ sophomore and junior years had passed by, and still no win to show for his efforts. The losses kept piling up. “I don’t even know if I can even count that high,” he said. Ennis wouldn’t quit. He wouldn’t give up wrestling. He’s battled cerebral palsy all of his life. He’s certainly not about to give up on a sport that has become his passion. He had worked too hard to get to the point where he is at. His teammates also made sure of that. His teammates have supported and provided him with encouragement during his time. “Even though wrestling is an individual sport, your team is always there,” Ennis said. “If I’m not winning, I can help my teammates get better.” His day of triumph finally came just under three weeks ago at the Mission Valley Tournament. While the match was decided by just two points, Ennis said he never trailed. “I just stayed on their hips, kept getting two points, kept circling and kept breaking down,” he said. “I tried to get my points whenever I needed to.” How proud was Hinderliter of Ennis? “Without a doubt, it is wider than my arm span,” Hinderliter said. “In the coaching clinics I facilitate, we often talk about striving to win, those that never give up, and how success is not measured in wins and losses. I have often used Justin as an example of those traits.” Next spring, Ennis will graduate and then plans to attend college in the fall. By getting good grades in the classroom, it shows that he is winning that battle. On the mat, he now has a win to show for his efforts. Whatever challenge Ennis is presented with next, he plans to take it head-on. He plans to not only pass it, but excel at it. That’s the mantra he’s lived with for 17 years, and will continue to live with throughout his life. “I’m not going to stop,” he said.
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