Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 1, 1991 TAG: 9102280209
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Nininger, who gambled that sacrificing meals and size to stay at 103 pounds would enhance his chances of winning a state Group AA title for Christiansburg High, was rewarded last weekend.
Nininger wrapped up a spectacular senior campaign by whipping Mark Hernandez of Park View-Sterling 7-3 to win his first state crown. The victory was his 29th this year without defeat.
"It really didn't hit me until later that night," said Nininger, who made no secret of the fact that he would be bitterly disappointed with the season had he not won the state. "I was so tired right after the match that all I could think was that I was just glad it was all over."
Nininger took a large early lead in the title bout, then wrestled defensively the rest of the way. So defensively, in fact, that he surrendered a point to Hernandez in the third period for stalling.
"At the start of the third period, he surprised me by taking top [position] because I thought he'd take the bottom in hopes of earning a five-point turnaround," Nininger said. "When he took top, I just sort of stalled the period away."
Nininger, who transferred from Northside High after his sophomore season, dieted and exercised heavily to stay at 103 pounds for his senior season. His reasoning was that he could use his superior experience to best advantage against the usually younger wrestlers most often found in that weight class.
"It all paid off and worked out," he said.
After never having a state champion, Blue Demons coach Dean Underwood now has his third straight. Jeff Stanley won the 189-pound crown in both 1988-89 and 1989-90.
Nininger has hopes of following in Stanley's footsteps in at least two other respects. Nininger wants to wrestle in the National High School Championships and to join Stanley at Virginia Tech.
The one fear Underwood expressed on Nininger's behalf prior to the state tournament was that the wrestler would not have adequate competition to prepare for the rigors of the championship.
"I was right because he didn't have too much competition," Underwood said. "But it helped him because he had Brian Larsen, our 112-pounder, to work out with in practice. . . . Brian came in the Monday after he'd been knocked out of a chance to go to state at the regional tournament and continued to work out with Tim.
"He didn't have to do that and it was a credit to him that he did."
Nininger, too, acknowledged Larsen's contributions. "He was in great shape from running cross country last fall and whenever I was tired at the end of practice, Brian was there pushing me, telling me that was what it would take to win the state."
by CNB