Zanesville’s Coleman Defying Doubters and Odds On His Way to School History

ZANESVILLE, OH

Vince Coleman is doing something that few others can say that they’ve done, by climbing his way to the top of the wrestling ladder in Zanesville history. But the all-time leader in wins for the Blue Devils had nothing short of a difficult road to get to this point.

“So when I was born, I was missing two major bones in my legs, I’m not sure which ones they were. It wouldn’t able my legs to function right, and I wasn’t able to walk like everyone else” says Coleman.

“So my parents thought it was the best decision to just amputate them so I could kind of have an easier life. I don’t remember much of it, but I just remember, you know, having a hard time walking, like just having help with almost everything and reaching stuff and having devices to be able to walk.”

Not even three years old and missing both of his legs, that didn’t stop him from finding his true calling once he got to Zanesville.

“I never knew this type of wrestling existed when I was younger. But in 7th grade, they announced, like, wrestling tryouts. And I thought it was like, professional wrestling, WWE-cage type stuff” he continues.

“So I thought it was really cool and I really wanted to do it. But I found out it was something different and I still ended up liking it.”

But you have to think, is wrestling without legs an advantage, or disadvantage?

“Honestly, I think it can be both, because you know, I’m stronger than most people I wrestle. But some disadvantages are like, I can’t move like everybody else, and I just have to be more self aware of my body and you know, how I put myself in positions.”

Coleman’s head coach Dille adds, “I would say, Vince being a double amputee, it’s not an advantage to him. And I would tell people that think it is an advantage is to watch him make his way to our wrestling room every day in the high school. 20 degree weather, rolling a wheelchair over here, or watch him get on the bus to leave for a wrestling tournament. You tell me that’s an advantage.”

Fast forward five years, and Vince has found his way into Zanesville history in the 106-pound division, becoming the first Blue Devils wrestler to eclipse the 100-win mark.

Coleman smiles and says, “When I started wrestling, I just thought it was a fun pastime activity to do with some friends and stuff. But as time went on, I really grew a deep love for the sport. I really wanted to bring it to the next level and you know, make some things happen.”

“You know, when I started coaching, when I was hired, the one wrestler, you know, our school administration told me about was Vince Coleman. He was coming in, he was going to be a freshman. And so, they told me, get ready, he’s going to be the hardest worker you’ve ever seen” adds Dille.

“He proved that from the moment I met him. He was all in from the second I came in. And you know, to trust me, and to put as much work in and show up day one ready to grind, I mean that told me everything I needed to know about his character.”

Vince’s journey won’t stop here, as the senior is set to continue wrestling at Washington & Jefferson College after his time at Zanesville.

“It was really inspiring for me to sign my letter to wrestle in college because not a lot of people wrestle at all. But I’m glad I can just be the one from my school to bring that success.”

As his high school career comes to a close at the end of the winter season, Vince will continue to be an inspiration as long as the mats are laid down at Zanesville.