Area 51 is a highly classified remote area in Nevada. The base’s purpose is relatively unknown, and we may never know the secrets that lie within. Its story has been spun for generations.
Reports of aliens and UFO’s that crashed long ago have been circulating for years. Adjacent residents don’t know the true story, with a black veil on everything going on behind the locked gates.
The same is true for a small continuous item in our own back yard.
The New River Valley has its own version of Area 51, and it lies on Independence Blvd. behind a brick building. It, too, holds secrets that not even the community’s residents know about.
We’re talking about Christiansburg High School, where the wrestling team has won not one, not two, but 17 straight state titles.
But if you ask many residents of the sleepy community about the multi-crowns, not many would express knowledge of the feat.
For some reason, the wrestling team has won all these titles under a cloak of secrecy. If Sports Illustrated writers were to come into town looking for a story, they might be confused on why the town’s residents don’t know the grandeur of the tale.
Just like its Nevada counterpart, Christiansburg’s base is packed with its own secrets. Why else would a town of 20,000 be able to produce such a continuous stream of state champions—80 individuals to be exact since 2003.
The 17 straight team championships is also something to be proud of, well at least in the confines of Area 51 because for some reason most of its residents don’t even know about the Blue Demon titles.
In most communities, state champions would be heralded and honored with the world. But if you go to the local grocery store, the talk is about sidewalks, potholes and occasional water leaks.
Christiansburg residents do not know of the ongoing stories of Greco-Roman champions found in their own backyard.
When visitors come here, they don’t know of the secret society and what they’ve been able to accomplish in the past decade.
Wrestlers have their own secret handshakes and special moves, having brought championship belts and trophies one after another to the town.
Some are even stashed on top of soda machines, because they have so many at the group’s off-site training facility that is located in the middle of a bingo hall.
Maybe the small town of Christiansburg can be added to the “Extraterrestrial Highway” and become a popular tourist destination. Local stores can add T-shirts that read “Area 51” where secret wrestling moves are developed.
Why do I spin such a tale of secrecy? Well, when you come into the community that bills itself as “the only place to play,” many do not realize it’s really the only place to wrestle.
The high school continues to turn out winner after winner, and the future looks bright for more individual and team titles.
The question remains how secretive Christiansburg’s Area 51 will remain as no signs welcome visitors to the home of the champions.
No sign says: “Home of the 17-time state wrestling champions.”
A lot of people wonder why no one will admit to what goes on behind the walls of the town’s Area 51. In other great towns like Salem and Radford, the local athletes are remembered for their state titles and outstanding effort.
Maybe one day its secrets and success will be brought to the forefront, but for now, there is no sign that recognizes the incredible effort, which could be one of the top streaks, not only in the state, but the entire country.
