THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 8, 1996 TAG: 9602080564
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEITH POMPEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Unfortunately for Norfolk Academy's TCIS wrestling opponents, the conference championship wasn't canceled.
Due to the snow, the championship was postponed saturday. But the Bulldogs made up for lost time, winning their fourth consecutive conference title Wednesday night at Catholic.
Taking six first-place finishes, Norfolk Academy went on to score 326 points in the five-team round-robin tournament.
Peninsula Catholic (182 points) finished second, followed by Catholic (174), Norfolk Collegiate (130) and Cape Henry (125).
``We definetely dominated these other programs,'' said Bulldogs senior Luke Lindhjem. ``It's my last year and it's good to end my career with a another TCIs championship. Our team has been at it's peak the last three years.''
This was especially true for Clay Weisberg. The 119-pound senior pinned all four of his opponents to win his fourth consecutive title.
As a result, Weisberg, a two-time private school state champion, was voted the outstanding wrestler.
``It's great,'' said Weisberg of the the award. ``I think I'm real lucky to get it. Although I pinned my opponents, they were good.''
Norfolk Academy coach David Lindhjem said the award is a result of Weisberg's work ethic.
``He is the most intense kid I ever had,'' said Lindhjem. ``Some days he works out three times a day. He has done more individual workout with me than anybody. That's what you call a student of the game.
``He eats, sleeps and drinks wrestling.''
Lindhjem, a 125-pounder won his third consecutive title by pinning his first two opponents and defeating the third 17-1.
Josh Raper, a 145-pounder who won his first title in the seventh grade, missed a chance to become the first five-time TCIS champion. He was defeated by Cape Henry's Mark Kelly 7-5 in the championship match.
``It pumped me up when I everybody expected him to win his fifth title,'' said Kelly. ``My goal all season was to beat Raper and I did it.
``Last year he beat me and dislocated my shoulder. So I wanted to pay him back. If he won, everybody would talk about how good he did. But I beat him this time.''
Said Raper: ``I have beaten this kid every time since the seventh grade. I won't lose to him again.
``My goal this year was to become the first five-time champion. I have another year left. I'll do it next year. by CNB