By By BRIAN HAINES
Sports Writer
Justin “Weasel” Moore has always been ahead of his time.
As a freshman at Washington High School, Moore immediately made his presence felt on the wrestling team as he compiled 39-8 record and qualified for the state tournament.
His next season, Moore shaved a loss off of his record and went 39-7, finishing fourth in the state in just his sophomore year.
The athletically gifted grappler continued to get better and pieced together one of the best years ever by a Pam Pack wrestler as he went an astounding 47-2 to place second in the state.
After three years of excellence, Moore saved his best for last as he finished his senior year with a 44-1 record and en route to wining a NCHSAA 3-A state championship.
Moore’s four years dominance not only allowed him to rack up school-record 169 wins, but paved the way for the 18-year old to pin down a spot in the Washington Walk of Fame.
Moore, along with fellow Pam Pack greats Ed Lucas (football), Earl Randolph (track and field) and Joe Randolph will each be inducted into the Washington Walk of Fame Monday during halftime of the Washington-West Craven game.
“I was kind of shocked that I would be inducted at such an early age,” Moore said. “Usually most people don’t get inducted until a couple of years after they graduate. I’m just honored.”
Moore locked down his spot into the Washington Walk of Fame the minute he raised his hands in victory after winning the NCHSAA 3-A state championship at 171 pounds, as any state championship team or individual gets an automatic nod into the WOF.
That in turn also earned the grappler a scholarship to UNC-Pembroke, where is currently attending and majoring in criminal justice.
Moore, whose mother Melissa is a teacher in the Washington school district, credited his parents for his success. After all, it was Moore’s father Aaron who persuaded Justin to venture into wrestling when he was a kid.
“I started wrestling when I was in fifth grade. My dad saw an ad in the paper and thought I should try it out.” Moore said. “So I went and tried it out and after my first tournament it kind of took off from there.”
Moore said his father has had a profound influence on his life.
“Without him I wouldn’t be wrestling and I wouldn’t be the same person I am has far as school, sports and pretty much life,” Moore said. “He has basically showed me how to be the person that I am.”
Moore’s athletic prowess extended behind the matts as he was a standout football player and baseball player.
Moore led the Pam Pack his tackles in his junior season as a linebacker, but did not play his senior year because of personal reasons. On the diamond, the outfielder was named to the WDN all-area team his senior year.
Moore said that out of all the sports he plays, football is his first love and that the 6–0, 171-pound star athlete has not ruled out a return to the grid iron.
“Football is my favorite sport, I wish I could have played that my senior year,” Moore said. “I wish I was playing it in college but I’m not quite big enough to play linebacker. I can get big enough but we’ll just see how it plays out. … I have thought about trying out (at UNC-Pembroke) as a walk-on. Next year I will be bigger and stronger and a little older. We’ll just see.”
No matter what direction the former Pam Pack star decides to go, there is no doubt he will pin down success.