Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 7, 1991 TAG: 9102080371
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB McLELLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"David is so good with those young kids. They all respect him and listen to what he says and watch the things he does." David communicates on their level, Timberlake said.
Perry has been wrestling since his grade school years and has been a top member of the James River varsity since his freshman year when he posted a winning record at 119 pounds, but missed out on a state tournament bid. It was after he was eliminated in the Group A regionals that he made up his mind not to let it happen again.
And he hasn't. Having gone to the state as a sophomore and junior, Perry is headed for a third trip. This time he hopes to bring back something he has missed the two previous tries - the state championship.
"I remember coming back from the regionals his freshman year," Timberlake recalled. "David is a real modest youngster and is usually very quiet. But he got very serious coming home. He said he was going to work like the dickens to make the state. I could tell by the things he said and the way he talked that he really meant it."
Perry posted an outstanding record as a sophomore in the 135-pound class with an overall record of 21-2. He won both the district and region but lost in the state.
Last season, he moved up to 145 and again won the district and region and finished third in the state in his weight class. His overall record was 19-2.
He is wrestling again at 145 and remains unbeaten after 12 matches.
"I just don't like to get beat," he said. "I know I have won a lot of matches in high school, but I still haven't won the state. That's the goal I set for myself this season. I think I have a good show at it because the two boys who finished ahead of me last year have graduated."
Perry remains one of only six Metro wrestlers who are unbeaten after at least seven decisions. The others are Cave Spring senior Adam Williams (130), Lord Botetourt junior Bryan Anderson (160-152), North Cross junior Steve Harman (171-152), and Glenvar senior Jamie Soltis (112) and sophomore Jason Porter (140). THE RECORDS (as of Feb. 2) MetroSeason Northside* 5-015-0 Franklin County** 4-012-2 Cave Spring 4-111-4 Lord Botetourt 5-214-3 Glenvar 5-310-5 William Fleming 2-38-5 William Byrd 3-56-10 Staunton River 1-29-7 James River 1-28-5 Patrick Henry 1-57-10 North Cross 0-24-8 Salem 0-63-9 * Salem Ironman Classic champion. ** Big Orange champion. THE SCHEDULE
Tonight - North Cross at Fishburne, 4 p.m.; Glenvar at Natural Bridge, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday - Blue Ridge District at Lord Botetourt, 10 a.m.; Northwest duals at Franklin County (Franklin vs. Albemarle and Cave Spring vs. Woodbridge, 2 p.m.; finals at 4 p.m.).
Tuesday - James River at North Cross, 7 p.m. THE UNBEATENS (at least seven decisions)
Cave Spring - Adam Williams (130), sr., 21-0, (135), 1-0.
Lord Botetourt - Bryan Anderson (160), jr., 6-0, (152), 8-0.
James River - David Perry (145), sr., 12-0.
North Cross - Steve Harman (171), jr., 7-0, (152), 2-0.
Glenvar - Jamie Soltis (112), sr., 17-0; Jason Porter (140), soph., 17-0-1.
by CNB