SJ Sports: The Few, The Proud

Jim Letchford has faced many challenges in the sport of wrestling. Now, the Cherokee High School graduate is preparing for a challenge that is far greater than any opponent he’s ever faced on the mat.

Letchford attended the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He recently completed an outstanding wrestling run for the Midshipmen. Letchford completed his studies and his training on May 23rd. That is graduation day at the Naval Academy. After graduation, Letchford began his first tour of duty as a second lieutenant in the Marines.

“They’re putting you out in situations where you’re walking right into a war,” said Letchford. “They’re going to speed things up for people like me. They’re pumping Marines out there really quickly now.”

As Letchford prepares for the danger that lies ahead, he can look back on a very successful wrestling campaign. The former Cherokee Chief finished with a record of 24-13 this year. The 197-pound Letchford led the Midshipmen to an 11-6 record. His 24 victories were the most in a single season at Navy.

“I was really pleased with how my season went,” said Letchford. “I was happy considering I was a little light for my weight class. I had a little bit of a rough road in the middle, but I got back on track at the end.”

Letchford’s season came to an end at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships. He lost two matches at the EIWA tournament, but both losses came against two of the top wrestlers in the country. Letchford’s 24 wins are even more remarkable considering he wrestled at 174 a year ago.

“I weighed in at 186 at the start of the EIWA tournament,” Letchford said. “I really did it to help the team. We had more of a solid lineup with the way things worked out.”

Letchford graduated from Cherokee in 1998. He was part of a wrestling program at Cherokee that was always in contention for a Group 4 championship. Chiefs head coach Dave Chambers remembers how Letchford conducted himself both on and off the mat.

“You have to be proud of what he has accomplished as a young man,” said Chambers. “He has already done what he set out to do. He’s going to graduate as an officer in the Naval Academy.”

Letchford believes wrestling at Cherokee was the first step towards achieving his goal of going to Annapolis. “I got to start as a freshman and it was an introduction to a higher level in wrestling,” said Letchford.

Despite his maturity and his talents as a wrestler, Letchford wanted to spend a year at Blair Academy before heading to Annapolis. He led Blair to the prep national title in 1999.

“There are different ways to approach wrestling when you get to college,” Letchford said. “You don’t face any slouches after high school. I really knew how to wrestle when I came out of Blair.”

Letchford went 4-5 in his first season with Navy, but came on strong his sophomore year and went 24-13. A shoulder injury limited his time a year ago, but he still managed to go 18-8.

The world is a much different place now than it was when Letchford first got to the Naval Academy. There is conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan and dangerous situations in countries such as North Korea. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Letchford realized that his time would come when he would be called upon to go into action.

“Things really did change that day,” said Letchford. “When we were attacked, it reminded me of what I was here for.”

Letchford was headed directly to a Marine basic training school after graduation. At the time of the interview, he was hoping to get infantry duty after his temporary duties in Annapolis were completed. His next stop will be anywhere from the Middle East to the Pacific.

“I’m focused on what I have to do,” Letchford said. “I really want to make an impact on what’s going on right now. I want to go over there for my country, for my family and for myself.”

Content provided by South Jersey Sports Club.

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Author: SJ Sports Club-Ed Benkin