Pin Down duals a special event

Jan. 9--ASHEBORO -- The Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestling coach had done benefits before. But this time would be different.

Chris Waddell wanted to do something for special needs children. The Seagrove resident says he has always had a soft spot for those kids. He only needed to turn to his best friend.

It started last year and returning for its second year, the Pin down Autism Super Duals tournament is getting even bigger. Uwharrie Charter will host the tournament this weekend at the central gym behind Uwharrie Middle School off of U.S. 220 Business South and Pisgah Covered Bridge Road south of Asheboro.

It starts off Friday and concludes Saturday and it's all for the kids. And that includes his best friend -- who happens to be his youngest son Maddox.

"I always wanted to do something for him and special needs children. We've had different tournaments. I just felt like doing something for the autistic children in our community," Waddell said. "We started last year and it was a big success. We got to recognize some kids and I think there's going to be a whole lot more this year."

Waddell is a familiar face in the community, having coached at Southwestern Randolph High School for years prior to his move over the Uwharrie Charter. That move was done to help facilitate him with some more time at home while still able to provide for his family. Their situation changed several years ago, when Maddox was diagnosed autistic at 4-year-old.

Autism is defined as a variable developmental disorder that appears in children which appears by age 3 and is characterized by difficulties in forming and maintaining social relationships, by impairment of the ability to communicate verbally or nonverbally, and by repetitive behavior patterns and restricted interests and activities.

"The only adjustment we made was ... We decided to have mom at home, so he wasn't alone," Waddell said of the decision he and wife Deanna made. "That was the whole reason I left (Southwestern Randolph). I just didn't have that family time (at home) when I was there."

Now, Waddell gets to coach his team in a big tournament and be able to share it and have his best friend be an integral part of it. Maddox has been able to wrestle with some kids and having the crowd cheer him on. He will get a special singlet during the event and will be part of the children honored during a break on Saturday.

"I just felt like doing something for the autistic children in our community. We started last year and it was a big success," he said, adding that this year's event will increase to 12 teams from nine last year. "We got to recognize some kids and I think there's going to be a whole lot more this year."

And Maddox will be there.

"He's my best friend," Waddell said, explaining how much his youngest son gives him perspective in life and gives him such a boost everyday.."If I've had a bad day, he brightens up my day."

The tournament is set to start on Friday at 3 p.m. with weigh-ins. The action on the mats are set to begin at 4 p.m., with five rounds of wrestling. A dozen teams are descending south of Asheboro for the event, not only including teams from around the region, but teams from Charlotte (Bradford Prep), due east in West Brunswick and even western North Carolina in Swain County.

Following Friday's action, wrestling with the teams will resume on Saturday morning with three more rounds before a break for lunch. During that break, ausitic and special needs children will be recognized. Special T-shirts will be given out. Once the wrestling resumes, there will be two more rounds of competition.

Awards will be handed out for the team champion, plus each wrestler on that team gets a specially designed singlet from MyHouse SportsGear out of Pennsylvania. In addition, there will be a team runnerup and a most outstanding wrestler honored.

Part of the event proceeds will be donated to the special needs programs at Uwharrie Charter Academy. Last year, $1,500 was split evenly between the three Academies: Elementary, middle and high schools. Any donations will go to support autistic children in local communities.

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