Fike High coach saves wrestler's life

by Keith Barnes, Wilson Daily Times

PIKEVILLE Ê Quick thinking Tuesday night by a high school wrestling coach skilled in cardiopulmonary resuscitation may have saved the life of a high school wrestler whose heart stopped beating following a match.

Charles B. Aycock High School wrestler Justin Moore, a junior, was competing in a dual match with Fike High School Tuesday at Aycock. Moore was pitted against Rashon Johnson of Fike in the 189-pound weight class. Johnson had just pinned Moore, but as the match ended, Moore was unresponsive. He did not get up from the mat.

"I really don't know what happened," said Fike coach Richie Pridgen. "They were wrestling and everything seemed fine. Rashon pinned him and he just didn't get up." The coach at first thought Moore "was just embarrassed for losing but when we got over to him we realized he was unresponsive and quit breathing. Once we determined his heart stopped, we started CPR."

Pridgen took several courses on CPR in college and has also taught CPR courses. Several people gathered around Moore and while Pridgen began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, others began pumping Moore's chest. After several minutes, the youth was revived and was taken by rescue squad to Wayne Memorial Hospital.

Pridgen said the most difficult part was that it was totally unexpected. Aycock wrestling coach Kevin Smith, still shaken this morning, said the whole episode was very scary.

"I've never seen anything like it, and I've been around sports all my life," said Smith. "As soon as I looked at him lying on the mat, I knew something was wrong. Justin has no history of medical problems whatsoever. We still don't know exactly what happened."

Medical technicians put a heart monitor on Moore and ran some tests, Smith said.

"The doctor said the best diagnosis he could give at this point was that something may have gotten pinched and caused the blood flow to the brain to stop."

Moore was released from the hospital late Tuesday night. Doctors don't think he's in any danger at this point. Smith said he talked again with Moore at his home this morning, and he seems to be doing fine.

Bill Farris, father of Fike wrestler Charlie Farris, was watching the match from the stands and called it a "very sobering experience." Farris said that while CPR was being administered, members of both teams huddled together in the middle of the floor and were praying.

"When the boys realized what was happening, there were lots of tears and hugging from both sides. And the CBA boys seemed to show special concern for Rashon, letting him know it wasn't his fault" said Farris.

"It was a heck of an example to show that everyone needs to take a course in CPR," he added.

Susan Shafer, who also has a son on the Fike team, said the episode was a sad thing to watch but that she was proud of Pridgen's quick action. "Coach Pridgen literally saved the boy's life," she said. "He went beyond the call of duty."

Aycock athletic director Charles Davis echoed the same sentiments. "Richie is a hero. He jumped right in and did a great job."

Smith said the "guys on the team were all to pieces after it happened. I got them together and talked with them. There were a lot of prayers said for Justin last night. "Richie knew what he was doing. He jumped right in and everybody pitched in. I thank God everything worked out like it did."

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