Holding down the fort: Chipman steps up with father serving in Iraq
James Wood's Cory Chipman, top, wrestles Sherando's Travis Guthridge in a tri-meet on Jan. 14 at James Wood. Chipman, who wrestles at 140 pounds, has been one of the Colonels' most important team members.
By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer
WINCHESTER -- Cory Chipman can't resist the temptation.
The James Wood senior knows it would be easier on his heart if he didn't constantly follow the war in Iraq, but still he finds himself watching the news whenever he can. Chipman has a very special reason to watch -- his father Alan is there.
"My dad told me not to watch, but it's hard not to," Chipman said. "I watch it, especially when they talk about the Green Zone, because that's where he's at.
"It definitely can be stressful. I just have to remember it's his job."
Alan Chipman is a special agent in diplomatic security for the State Department. He's on his second tour of duty in Iraq, where he has been on and off since the younger Chipman was a sophomore.
His father's job has taken Chipman and his family all over the world, including stops in Cambodia and India. He said the experiences have taught him a lot about the world.
"I've seen poverty in Cambodia and India," Chipman said. "I've met a lot of different people. When I lived in India, I went to a private school and I went to school with kings and princesses. I think it's made me a better person."
Chipman may be a teenager, but he has already experienced things most high school students never have, including taking on the responsibility of being the man of the house. He has three younger brothers and a 5-month-old sister.
"There's been a lot of responsibility put on his shoulders," said his mother, Lacy Chipman. "He's handled it well. He's always been very responsible. He's a great example for his younger brothers.
"He's always led the way by doing things that are right, encouraging them to do their chores when it was needed to be done."
Chipman tries to e-mail his dad at least once a day and tries to stay in contact with him as much as possible.
Chipman's father usually gets to come home for a couple of weeks at a time on different occasions during his tours of duty. He was able to come home for six weeks, when Mrs. Chipman gave birth to their daughter during the summer.
Chipman's father will be coming home for good in March, and Chipman is excited for the opportunity to spend even more time with his dad.
All of his experiences have helped Chipman on the wrestling mat as well. Chipman is currently 22-6 wrestling at 140 pounds. He said his dad wrestled some when he was younger, and their infrequent phone conversations occasionally steer toward the sport.
James Wood coach Greg Walker said when Chipman, who started wrestling in a Utah recreational league in sixth grade, came in as a freshman, the potential wasn't clear.
"He was very young and inexperienced," Walker said. "He just kept improving and getting better. He went to camps. He watched videos. By the end of his sophomore year we started to see his potential."
Last year Chipman started off slow, but by the end of the season he began hitting his stride. He wrestled his best in the Northwestern District tournament, where he defeated Millbrook's Roy DeSchon in the final to win the 135-pound title.
"It was nice to win the district title," Chipman said. "As a wrestler that's always a goal."
The elation of winning the district title didn't last long for Chipman as he was unable to follow that performance up the next week in the Region II tournament. He wrestled for a state berth, but lost the fourth-place match to DeSchon.
The loss has stayed in the back of Chipman's mind throughout the year.
"It's definitely motivated me," Chipman said. "It's made me work even harder during the summer."
This season Chipman moved up to 140 pounds, where he has 11 pins and has had little trouble adjusting to the new weight class. Much like last season, Chipman has started off a little slow, according to Walker, but the James Wood coach expects him to finish the season strong.
Chipman has helped lead the Colonels to a 24-4 record and first place in the district. On Jan. 14, the Colonels beat county-rival Millbrook, 34-26, and Chipman played a big role in the win. After an injury sidelined one of the Colonels, Walker decided to move Chipman up in weight class to 145 with the team trailing by 10 points. Chipman defeated John Sharp, 13-12, giving the Colonels momentum to win the match.
Moving up a weight class, however, separated Chipman from his rival of last season.
"I really wanted to wrestle DeSchon, but whatever coach [Walker] says goes," Chipman said. "Whenever [DeSchon and I wrestle], it's a good match."
The two will most likely face off again in the Northwestern District tournament. Chipman said he hopes to not only win the district title again, but also qualify for states.
Chipman, who also plays soccer at James Wood, has several other activities that take up a lot of his time as well, including four advanced-placement classes and participation in various clubs and activities.
"I think I've become very good at multi-tasking," Chipman said. "You just have to learn to balance everything."
Having to help his mother around the house and help take care of his brothers and sister have also helped Chipman grow up a little quicker than most teenagers. Cory said he also has also learned a lot from his dad.
"My dad is definitely a great role model -- the way he treats my mom and the way he has raised my brothers and I," Chipman said. "He has set a great example to follow."
