THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220175
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
It's called the Hornet Holiday Invitational, but as is the case with most wrestling events that include Great Bridge, maybe it's about time we consider calling it the Wildcat Invitational.
The nationally ranked Wildcats have won the last seven Deep Creek tournaments, including a 61 1/2-point victory last year, and set the Invitational record for points scored three years ago.
But if Great Bridge were ever going to lose one of these tournaments, this could be the year. The Wildcats will be coming in after the grueling Mid-Atlantic Invitational, where they locked up with Blair Academy, the nation's No. 2 team. Great Bridge had tried to peak for that event, and it's tough to peak two weeks in a row. The Wildcats could be vulnerable.
The Hornet tournament, now in its 17th year, will feature its usual assortment of powerful challengers from outside the state - Rock Hill (S.C.), Paulsboro (N.J.) and Cary (N.C.). Also in the 12-team field - Tallwood, ranked third in South Hampton Roads, No. 5 Cox, No. 6 First Colonial, Group AA runner-up Poquoson, Gloucester, Kempsville and Maury in addition to the host school.
Cox and Maury are newcomers to the Hornet Invitational; perennial contender Western Branch pulled out when the Virginia Duals adopted a tournament format. Teams can only wrestle in three tournaments per season.
Action on two mats begins at 10 a.m. Thursday with the first-round pigtails. The quarterfinals will follow at 1:30 p.m., with the semifinals and first consolation round set for 5:30 p.m. Friday's schedule: second-round consolation matches at noon, third-round consolation matches at 2 p.m., consolation finals at 4 p.m. and the finals at 7 p.m.
Admission is $6 per day for adults, $3 for children in fifth grade or below.
HOLIDAY HOOPS: The South Norfolk Holiday Classic gets underway Wednesday at Oscar Smith High School.
At 3 p.m., Kellam meets Oscar Smith; Lake Taylor and Ocean Lakes match up at 4:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., Kempsville squares off against Western Branch. In the 7:30 p.m. nightcap, Princess Anne faces Great Bridge.
Action continues Thursday, beginning at 3 p.m. The championship game will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday. by CNB